Recalled forward Kyogo Furuhashi scored one and set up another as Celtic went back to the top of the cinch Premiership with a 3-1 victory over St Johnstone.
Celtic took time to break Saints down despite dominating possession and territory, but they went on to create a steady stream of chances before Furuhashi headed the opener in the 40th minute.
Wingers Nicolas Kuhn and James Forrest netted in the second half against a side who enjoyed a goalless draw at Parkhead early in the season.
The only down side for Celtic was the failure to boost their goal difference, not helped by having three goals disallowed for offside, two of them marginal, and losing a late goal as substitute Connor Smith got off the mark for St Johnstone.
Brendan Rodgers’ side had missed the chance to move top of the table when losing to Hearts in their previous league game and this spell at the summit might only last until Rangers face Dundee at Dens Park on Sunday.
But the Celtic manager will have been pleased with the tempo and creativity shown by his side.
Furuhashi was in for Adam Idah after starting the previous three games on the bench, while Cameron Carter-Vickers recovered from a hamstring issue to replace the injured Liam Scales.
Adama Sidibeh had one long-range effort blocked as the Perth side frustrated Celtic for the opening quarter, but it was clear the St Johnstone striker was in for a lonely afternoon.
The visitors lost midfielder Sven Sprangler to injury with winger Max Kucheriavyi coming on, and Celtic began to wear their visitors down with their first real threats coming from a Matt O’Riley corner.
Luke Robinson twice blocked from Daizen Maeda on the line, the second time sparking a VAR check after the ball hit his upper arm. But referee Euan Anderson was not called to his screen by video assistant Chris Graham.
Kuhn soon played in Furuhashi over the top but the striker shot over with his right foot under pressure from Ryan McGowan.
Robinson produced his third goal-line clearance to deny Tomoki Iwata following another O’Riley corner.
Furuhashi was getting closer, seeing a goal disallowed for a marginal offside call after he steered home Paulo Bernardo’s cross and then getting in behind again only to see his shot deflected over.
Iwata was denied by Dimitar Mitov’s flying save before Celtic made their pressure count. Furuhashi was quick off the mark to beat Mitov to Kuhn’s inswinging cross and head home from four yards.
The goalscorer continued to threaten, stabbing Alistair Johnston’s low cross just wide and then having another goal disallowed for an offside against Maeda.
He turned provider in the opening minute of the second half, darting beyond the Saints defence to latch onto Greg Taylor’s perfect pass and send in a low cross. Kuhn showed good anticipation to net from six yards.
The Japanese striker soon fired a right-footed effort off the underside of the crossbar after being fed by O’Riley.
O’Riley saw an ambitious free-kick tipped over by Mitov before setting up the third goal midway through the second half.
Iwata won the ball back deep in the Saints half and O’Riley quickly spotted Forrest in space. The winger took a touch and rifled a left-footed strike into the corner of the net from 18 yards.
Saints got their goal in the 81st minute. Goalkeeper Joe Hart produced an excellent stop from Stevie May’s header and Smith was on hand to net the rebound.
Johnston soon lashed the ball into the roof of the net following a one-two but the flag went up and the decision was ratified after a lengthy VAR check.
Celtic could have given the scoreline a truer reflection of the game in stoppage time but Mitov saved well from Taylor and Iwata headed over from three yards.
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Matheus Cunha WTH Noni Madueke keen on Arsenal move Alexia Putellas in Spain's 6-2 win over Belgium The USMNT's bid to reclaim the Gold Cup comes up short The BEST TEAM in Europe will face The KING of Europe! Thomas Muller has OFFICIALLY PLAYED his Last EVER Game for Bayern Munich.. 16 years ago, Cristiano Ronaldo was unveiled in front of 80,000 fans at...
Newcastle agree £55m deal to sign Anthony Elanga from Nottingham ForestNewcastle United have reached a breakthrough in their pursuit of Anthony Elanga, agreeing a deal worth up to £55 million ($74.8m) with Nottingham Forest. The 23-year-old Sweden international, who starred in all 38 Premier League games last season, will sign a five-year contract and is set to undergo a medical ahead of...
Arsenal are looking to make a statement signing and are closing in on a deal for Rodrygo from Real Madrid.Kepa Arrizabalaga and Martin Zubimendi have already arrived at the Emirates this summer, but Mikel Arteta is looking for more reinforcements as they look to take the final leap and win the Premier League or the Champions League.Those reinforcements are likely to be in the front line, with a st...
Liverpool star Luis Diaz is set to leave Anfield, with a switch to Bayern Munich now agreed.Nico Williams, Rafael Leao, Kaoru Mitoma and Bradley Barcloa have all been linked with a move to Bavaria, but none have yet materialised.Jamal Musiala's shocking injury in the Club World Cup quarter-final has forced Die Roten to accelerate a deal for attacking reinforcements, however, with attention turned ...
Real Madrid's Croatia captain Luka Modric will join AC Milan after the Club World Cup, the Serie A club's newly-appointed manager Massimiliano Allegri confirmed on Monday.The move means the 39-year-old midfielder, who announced in May that he would be leaving Madrid after the Club World Cup, will bring his 13-year spell at the Spanish giants to a close."Modric will arrive in August. He is an extra...
Man United set Andre Onana asking priceMan United have reportedly set a 330 million asking price for incumbent goalkeeper Andre Onana after Ligue 1 side Monaco made an enquiry.Per the Daily Mail, Ruben Amorim’s side are looking for 330 million for the 29-year-old amid interest from Ligue 1 side Monaco.United’s asking price is understood to be a little too steep for the principality clu...
Joao Felix admits he wants Benfica returnChelsea forward Joao Felix has admitted that he wants to return to boyhood club Benfica in an attempt to regain some form following his disastrous move.The 25-year-old joined Chelsea from Atletico Madrid on a permanent basis last summer but joined AC Milan on loan in January.0Milan decided against activating their option to buy Felix following a string of d...
Inter Miami open talks to sign Atletico Madrid midfielder De PaulInter Miami are in talks to sign Atletico Madrid midfielder Rodrigo de Paul.The Argentina international had been linked with a return home during the past season.However, De Paul is now in line to join his national team captain Lionel Messi at Inter Miami.Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano is reporting: "Understand Inter Miami have now ...
Inter Milan wing-back Dumfries pushing for Man City moveInter Milan wing-back Denzel Dumfries is eager to hear from Manchester City.La Gazzetta dello Sport says City and Barcelona are interested in the Holland international.For the first two weeks of July, Dumfries can leave Inter for a set fee of €30m thanks to a clause in his current contract.And he has been in contact with super agent Jor...
'We are not the favourites' - Enzo Maresca plays down CWC title hopesChelsea manager Enzo Maresca insists that his side aren't favourites to win this year's FIFA Club World Cup as they prepare for their game with Fliminense.The Premier League giants will face off with the Brazilian side on Tuesday (July 8) with a place in the final on the line.Should they win, Chelsea will face one of current Euro...
- 1 Inside jet-setting England star Dominic Solanke's honeymoon with wife Erica
- 2 Five players ask to leave Man Utd including Rashford, Antony, Garnacho and Sancho
- 3 Ex-Arsenal star Alexandre Lacazette finds new club! Striker set to complete move to Saudi Pro League side after Lyon exit
- 4 Diogo Jota's wife arrives at chapel where tragic star's coffin is taken
- 5 Garnacho reveals he intends to stay in the Premier League after Man Utd departure
- 6 Lionesses captain Leah Williamson strips down to her underwear
- 7 Man Utd make shock move to Calvert-Lewin
- 8 Coleen Rooney eclipses husband Wayne as main breadwinner
- 9 Diogo Jota's family life with beautiful wife, cheeky sons, baby girl and dogs
- 10 Man Utd snubbed loan deal for Duran after his 3336k-a-week wages were revealed