Player ratings: Celtic 4-2 St Johnstone (A)

Three first-half goals and a late goal from Ryan Christie ensured the league champions returned to the top of the table despite a nervy end to the game.

Leigh Griffiths gave the away side the lead on 28 minutes after some great attacking play from Kieran Tierney.

The defender whipped in a dangerous cross into the six-yard box that wasn’t cleared, and the birthday boy volleyed his sixth goal of the season off the crossbar and into the net.

James Forrest could have made it two after an intelligent run from the right wing which was matched by the St Johnstone ‘keeper, Alan Mannus.

Griffiths followed up with another attempt, only to by denied by Mannus as well, but it was third time lucky for the Hoops as Scott Sinclair fired the ball into the net on 40 minutes.

Four minutes later Forrest made another piercing run and this time made no mistake with the shot which he curled into the net with the outside of his right foot.

St Johnstone scored from the spot and late on to give Celtic a scare, but Brendan Rodgers’ side held on for all three points after Christie fired in a fourth goal.

Celtic 4-2 St Johnstone (20/8/16)

Leigh Griffiths ⚽️
Scott Sinclair ⚽️
James Forrest ⚽️
Ryan Christie ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/S6yyc5yLNj

— Read Celtic and The Trinity Tims (@ReadCeltic) August 20, 2016

Here are the player ratings from today’s game.