AFP/Glasgow


Celtic put their European disappointment behind them as they returned to the top of the Scottish Premiership following a 3-1 victory over St Johnstone yesterday.
The Glasgow giants’ Champions League defeat to Malmo in midweek seemed to take its toll early on as the Hoops made a sluggish start. The defensive frailties which had seen the Hoops concede 10 goals in their past six games were once again exposed when Dedryck Boyata’s own goal gave Saints an 11th minute lead.
However, their advantage was short-lived as Leigh Griffith’s deflected strike hauled the Hoops level seven minutes later.
A superb solo goal from Socceroos star Tom Rogic put Celtic ahead in the 45th minute before substitute Charlie Mulgrew nodded home a third in the 67th minute.
The result moves Celtic top of the table after former leaders Hearts’ winning run came to an end following a 3-2 defeat by Hamilton which sees them slip down to third. Aberdeen, who have played a game less, remain a point behind Celtic in second after maintaining their 100 per cent start to the season with a 2-0 win away to Partick Thistle.
St Johnstone had won on their last visit to Celtic Park back in March and their hopes of a repeat were boosted when Boyata’s own goal gave them an early lead.
The Celtic defence failed to deal with Michael O’Halloran’s cross from the right and the defender diverted the ball over goalkeeper Craig Gordon and into his own net.
Celtic weren’t behind for long, however, as Griffiths scored for the fourth successive league match. The Scotland striker saw a looping header hooked off the line by Tom Scobbie but there was nothing the St Johnstone defender could do moments later when Griffiths cut in from the right and fired in a sizzling strike that deflected off his back on its way over keeper Alan Mannus.
Celtic’s quick breaks were causing St Johnstone problems and captain Scott Brown nearly carved out another goal for the home side with a low drive that whistled narrowly wide of the post.
The Hoops made the breakthrough right on half-time thanks to a superb goal from Rogic. The Australian international dispossessed Murray Davidson on the goal-line before showing good feet to get away from Dave Mackay to hammer a strike past Mannus from a tight angle.
Celtic had a chance to add to their advantage early in the second half as Commons glided through the St Johnstone rearguard but his lobbed effort was clutched out of the air by Mannus.
Mulgrew replaced the injured Brown in the 59th minute and made it 3-1 just eight minutes later. Commons’s corner was headed into the six yard box by Virgil van Dijk and Mulgrew jumped highest to nod past Mannus from close range.