An own goal by Andy Considine gave Celtic the lead on 41 minutes at McDiarmid Park after superb vision from Reo Hatate sent Sead Hakšabanović clear inside the box. His drilled cross from the right hand side caught out the former Aberdeen defender who couldn’t get his feet sorted to make the clearance and ended up putting the ball past Matthews in the St Johnstone goal.
Liel Abada will be relieved going into the dressing room after missing an absolute sitter in the opening stages. The winger made his trademark run into the box as Celtic attacked down the left hand side. Jota’s brilliant cross found him with an open goal but he missed badly.
Matt O’Riley was unlucky with another effort that came off the post and another Abada cross come shot hit the top of the St Johnstone goal. Joe Hart had one corner to deal with and other than that it has been one way traffic with Celtic enjoying around 82% possession. It’s half-time in Perth and the score is St Johnstone 0 Celtic 1…