Scottish League Cup Final 2015: Score and Reaction from Celtic vs. Dundee United

Celtic picked up the first part of what will surely be a cup and league double this season by beating Dundee United in the Scottish League Cup final.

Kris Commons opened the scoring and routinely ran United's defence ragged. Commons had promised to not let the new deal he recently signed at the club result in a dip in his performances, per Daily Record & Sunday Mail writer Scott McDermott.

The 31-year-old forward certainly proved true to his word. His combination play with Norwegian attacking midfielder Stefan Johansen consistently found the Dundee back four wanting.

Mark Runnacles/Getty Images

Despite missing cup-tied duo and ex-United stars in midfield playmaker Stuart Armstrong and winger Gary Mackay-Steven, Celtic produced a controlled display to thwart a Jackie McNamara-led United.

His squad was put in a hole when experienced defender Sean Dillon earned a straight red card barely 15 minutes into the second half.  McNamara's forward line had also been misfiring. That prompted the introduction of Estonian Henri Anier in place of a static Mario Bilate.

At least supporting striker Ryan Dow managed to pose The Hoops some problems. In fact, the 23-year-old's pace and movement caused the game's major moment of controversy.

Dow appeared to be felled in the box, following a clumsy challenge by Celtic midfield enforcer Scott Brown. But no penalty was given.

The STV Sport official Twitter account captured an image of the contentious incident:

With the luxury of a man advantage, Celtic boss Ronny Deila introduced James Forrest and John Guidetti for Commons and Leigh Griffiths. That was a painful reminder for United about the quality of their more illustrious opponent's squad.

The quality told almost immediately, when Guidetti cushioned a ball into the path of Forrest to convert the decisive goal. The winger even had the chance to make things look like a rout, but his late penalty was turned away:

Celtic's official Twitter feed showed Deila lifting his first piece of silverware with Celtic:

Given the game in hand Celtic now have over second-placed Aberdeen in the race for Scottish Premier League title, it surely won't be long before Deila gets his hands on another trophy.