Player ratings: Celtic 3-0 St Johnstone (A)

A Nadir Ciftci double was enough to give Celtic victory today against St Johnstone.

The first half was evenly poised until the striker took his second chance of the game from a corner kick and from then on Celtic controlled proceedings as Boyata and Ciftci were on hand again to put Celtic four points clear at the top of the table.

Celtic were fortunate to not go a goal down in the opening minutes, as Michael O’Halloran found himself through on goal, but Craig Gordon did well to make himself big and prevent the opening goal of the game.

Summer signing Nadir Ciftci had chances of his own, and found himself through on goal after a lovely pass from Tom Rogic, but was denied his third goal in the Hoops.

Eventually his goal came after Callum McGregor’s corner fell invitingly to the striker, who volleyed home from six yards out.

Gordon came to Celtic’s rescue again and made his second double save of the half to deny St Johnstone.

The first, a big hand on powerful shot was followed up with a terrific save down to his left after being wrong-footed.

O’Halloran broke through once again on the Celtic defence after McGregor put Dedryck Boyata under pressure, but the striker fired wide of Gordon’s far post.

And it was Boyata who doubled Celtic’s lead from McGregor’s header with a bullet header after 49 minutes.

The birthday Bhoy Mikael Lustig provided the assist for Celtic’s third and Ciftci’s second of the game after picking him out in space in the six yard box.

Here are the player ratings from today’s game.