GORDON (6): Good stop in the opening half when he came out to deny Richard Forster after Danny Swanson had sent the player through with a beautifully weighted pass. Beaten twice with headers and one poor kick-out in the second half straight to the feet of Paul Paton. A block from Sviatchenko prevented Wotherspoon getting a shot away but the mistake could have put the game beyond Celtic.

LUSTIG (6): Helped set up Celtic's third of the afternoon when he was the architect of Dembele's second goal.

SVIACHENKO (6): Back into the starting line-up after a spell on the bench but a tough

BOYATA (6): Culpable as he turned Danny Swanson’s cross into his own net

TIERNEY (7): Kept quiet at times by Richard Forster but won Celtic a second-half penalty after sending in the cross from which Watson handled and Dembele converted the resultant spot-kick. Always a threat going forward.

MACKAY-STEVEN (5): Should have scored in the opening period after being out through by Scott Sinclair and had at least another two good chances. One half-volley early in the second period that flashed just wide. Hooked for Dembele just before the hour mark.

HENDERSON (8): Opened the scoring after just six minutes with a calm finish as he curled an effort into the net and tried his luck on another couple of occasions. Lively and bright in the middle of the park and Celtic’s best player.

BITTON (6): Lost Keith Watson as St Johnstone levelled the scores just after the half hour mark. Took a hefty kick from Paul Paton in the second period, for which the midfielder went into the book.

BROWN (8): Another fine performance in the middle of the park from the Hoops captain who is a genuine candidate for Player of the Season this year.

SINCLAIR (8): Always full of running and endeavour and genuine pace poses a problem for opposition teams. Set up Mackay-Steven with one characteristic run only for his colleague to finish tamely. Made no mistake himself when he netted the fourth of the afternoon.

ROBERTS (7): Still charged with leading the line although with Moussa Dembele clearly on the way back he will doubtless be restored to his more comfortable position on the flank. Almost levelled the scores after Celtic had gone 2-1 down. Had a solid hand in setting up Sinclair for Celtic's fourth of the day as well as Dembele's third.

DEMBELE (8): On the pitch for half an hour and bagged a hat-trick to take his tally to 23 for the season. One from the spot, one from a swept right-foot effort and a final bit of skill to complete his hat-trick. £40m this summer?

MCCGREGOR (5): Took over from Henderson with 20 minutes of the game still to play.

CIFTCI (3): On for Roberts with four minutes of the game to go.