THE Celtic manager is apparently not talking to sections of the media.

He is certainly conveying his message to his players.

Celtic had retired to the Tannadice dressing-rooms at about 2pm yesterday afternoon having failed to trouble Dundee United in any meaningful way. One hour later they were walking around Tannadice basking in the rapturous praise of their vocal support with Dundee United beaten by four goals, a place in the semi-finals of the William Hill Scottish Cup attained and the domestic treble now within touching distance.

The transformation was dramatic and devastating. A sharp finish by Joe Ledley, a drive by Anthony Stokes, an imperious header by Georgios Samaras and a penalty from Scott Brown were the goals that gave the scoreline such a comfortable look after a drab first half played out under a bright sun.

The only splash of colour in those initial 45 minutes was the red card awarded to Robbie Neilson for a reckless elbow on Samaras in an aerial challenge and the red alert occasionally posted over the Celtic defence.

Yet Celtic survived this squall to sail to victory. This resilience, this ability to prevail has become a hallmark of the team since the dull days of a Scottish winter.

Again, they had their early troubles yesterday but overcame after a chat with the manager. It had all started with unusual hesitancy from the champions-elect. Lennon opted to begin with Ledley at left-back, with Charlie Mulgrew partnering Thomas Rogne in the centre of the back four but his side looked unnerved as Johnny Russell exploited the Welshman out wide and, with Jon Daly, caused alarm with his strength and heading power.

The most dramatic moment of the first period – apart from the sending off that tilted the balance in Celtic's favour – was Russell's swift shot that Fraser Forster saved brilliantly after eight minutes when Gary Mackay-Steven eluded Adam Matthews on the left and drove the ball to his team-mate.

Celtic reorganised almost immediately. Lennon switched Victor Wanyama to centre-half, sending Mulgrew to left-back and restoring Ledley to his more accustomed role in midfield. Celtic then settled defensively but could not create anything of substance to trouble Dusan Pernis in contrast to a second period when chances fell like snow. Samaras always hinted at causing trouble, drawing a desperate foul from Neilson, who was subsequently booked, and James Forrest showed a sharp burst of pace late in the first half but Celtic left the field a man up but with no advantage on the scoreboard.

The second half was a different matter. No doubt energised by their manager at the interval, there was an urgency to Celtic that was franked by Ledley's goal seven minutes after the restart.

Anthony Stokes, whose fresh-air shot being his most conspicuous act, latched on to a pass from Mulgrew, eluded Sean Dillon and fired the ball across the six-yard box where Ledley contrived to guide the ball past Pernis.

This sparked a period of Celtic dominance with Garry Kenneth, brought on for Mackay-Steven following the red card, heading a corner off Wanyama before Scott Robertson cleared off the goalline.

Celtic were now finding some space as Peter Houston kept two men up front to try to salvage the tie. Milos Lacny, on for Gavin Gunning who suffered a back injury, should have performed precisely this task. Put through on goal after neat work by Russell, the Czech drove past a post.

Within minutes, the costliness of the miss was fully revealed. Mulgrew curled in one of his excellent free-kicks and Samaras rose to head past Pernis. The immediate impression that was the tie-clincher was given substance when Russell shot over from inside the box. The scorning of this excellent opportunity was forgiveable in comparison to the miss by Stokes moments later, though. The Irishman smacked the bar from eight yards with the goal yawning after Forrest slid the ball across goal.

Samaras made his attempt to match the miss of the season when he blasted high and wide after Paddy McCourt created both space and an opportunity inside the box.

This was merely a prelude to more accomplished interventions by Celtic. First, Stokes took a Forrest pass and drove the ball in with a certainty that had eluded him all afternoon and then Samaras drove purposefully into the box only to be tripped by Dillon. Brown smashed in the subsequent penalty. The major contributions, though, were made by the increasingly formidable Wanyama and the now consistently competent Mulgrew.

In the closing stages, Lennon could then afford to put Lukasz Zaluska, presumably as a reward for signing a new contract, for Forster. It was a recognition that it was all over bar the shouting. This was loud, sustained and reached a crescendo as Lennon led his team to the supporters at full-time. The manager may not be speaking but his team are doing all the talking for him. It could spell out a treble.