IT was the kind of double save usually only seen on the Playstation, a bit like Gordon Banks on steroids.

Craig Gordon might have seen his designs on Fraser Forster's clean sheet record disappear after 13 hours and 36 minutes without conceding a goal, but he still managed to save the day for his side at McDiarmid Park yesterday.

The last minute heroics he produced to slap out a Brian Graham header with his right hand, then throw himself to his left to scoop Dave Mackay's close-range volley over the bar were the equal of anything this 32-year-old has come up with during his career, including the stop in a Sunderland home match against Bolton Wanderers in December 2010 which earned him the best save in Premiership history. Some more of the same might just come in handy against Inter Milan on Thursday night.

"I have seen some saves like that on Fifa but never in real life," said team-mate Stefan Johansen, relieved that his smart 52nd minute finish, which followed up Leigh Griffiths' first-minute opener, won the day. "It was so important for us. We keep clean sheets for I don't know how long then Craigy follows up with that one, it was just world class."

While Michael O'Halloran's 72nd minute finish subjected Celtic to a nervy last quarter of an hour, this was as good a way as any to prepare for the Europa League last 32 tie. It was their eighth win in a row in all competitions and moved them six points clear at the top. Despite minor knocks to Virgil van Dijk and Gary Mackay-Steven in a match played on an uneven, awkward pitch, Ronny Deila declared a clean bill of health for his side, with even hopeful noises being made about Kris Commons' health as he recuperates from a thigh problem. "I haven't talked to him but he's going the right way," said Deila. "He has a chance."

Deila appeared to contradict some of his quotes from earlier in the week with his insistence that his side will attack Inter, who are in Serie A action today against Atalanta in Bergomo, but what he will undoubtedly want to recreate is the tempo with which they starting games. Having been a goal to the good courtesy of Gary Mackay-Steven within just 38 seconds in midweek against Partick Thistle, yesterday it took even less, just 35 seconds, for Leigh Griffiths to give them a lead. You could say they weren't required to show too much patience against the Saints.

"It was a quality pass and a good movement but having seen it back we could have defended it better," said manager Tommy Wright, whose side dropped out of the top six. "Second half, we were much better. Celtic are obviously going to create more chances but we could have easily got a draw at the end but for a tremendous save from Craig Gordon. The first one is good save but the second one is incredible."

Tam Scobbie was left kicking himself about the manner in which the goal came about, Nir Bitton's pass splitting the home defence with ease, before Griffiths slipping the ball under Alan Mannus with aplomb. The remainder of the first half was mainly a one-man battle between Griffiths and the big Northern Ireland goalkeeper, who somehow kept the Perth side just one goal in arrears. Elsewhere, substitute Chris Kane - on for calf injury victim Murray Davidson - headed wide from an O'Halloran cross, and Gary Mackay-Steven danced a pas-de-bas before driving in a 30-yarder which Mannus clawed away from his top corner

Celtic would add a fine second before they started to tire. Armstrong's clipped pass found Griffiths, whose header was juggled by the onrushing Johansen before he guided in a volleyed finish. This was a decent display from the former Hibs striker, but Deila stopped just short of giving him his blessing to start as the lone striker against Inter.

"We played well for 60 minutes, aggressive and intensive and creating chances," said Deila. "But we still lose the ball too much so we have to work on that. The pitch in Celtic Park will also be better which will be important. The clean sheet record means nothing for me. I'm counting points, that's the most important thing.

"We always attack, so nothing will change [against Inter]," the Norwegian added. "Why should we do that when we are at home? We will be ourselves but we will look at their strengths and weaknesses and play for that as well. Griffiths played okay. He scored and he's available for Thursday."

The late drama was all something of a surprise, the goal which sparked it the first Celtic had conceded since an effort from Stuart Armstrong of all people back on December 21. Kane's feathered touch at the near post from a Scobbie cross drew a save from Gordon, and O'Halloran stuck it into the net.

Substitute Liam Henderson went close twice on the counter attack but it was the seemingly computer-generated genius which Celtic's Scotland goalkeeper produced from first Graham and then Mackay which was to break St Johnstone's hearts on Valentine's Day.

"It was an important save because it gave us the result," said Gordon. "A lot of people have said I haven't been involved too much in recent games but I am just delighted to play my part in the result."

St Johnstone (4-1-4-1): Mannus; Mackay, Anderson, Scobbie, Easton; Millar; Croft (McFadden 77), Davidson (Kane 14), Lappin, O'Halloran; MacLean (Graham 76).

Subs not used: Banks, Wright, Caddis, Miller,

Celtic (4-2-3-1): Gordon; Matthews, Denayer, Van Dijk, Izaguirre; Brown, Bitton; Mackay-Steven (Ambrose 82), Johansen, Armstrong (Henderson 68); Griffiths (Stokes 62).

Subs not used: Zaluska, Guidetti, Scepovic, McGregor

Booked: St Johnstone: S MacLean 52, Croft 68. Celtic: Brown 73

Referee: K Clancy

Attendance: 6727