Gary Mackay-Steven scores twice as Celtic defeat St Johnstone

Gary Mackay-Steven scored his first two goals of the season to help Celtic ease to a comfortable 3-1 victory over St Johnstone at Celtic Park.

Mackay-Steven's early opener was cancelled out by Steven MacLean before Stuart Armstrong restored Celtic's lead before the break and Mackay-Steven added a third in the second half.

Celtic took the lead after just nine minutes when Lee Griffiths' shot was deflected into the path of Mackay-Steven, who took a touch before rifling the ball low through Alan Mannus' legs with his left foot.

That advantage was short lived as the visitors ended a five-game goal drought three minutes later when MacLean tapped home from close range after good work from Michael O'Halloran down the right.

That goal was St Johnstone's first since they scored three in a 3-2 win over Ross County on December 5.

Celtic restored their advantage just before the break when Mikael Lustig found space down the right and clipped a clever ball to the back post for Armstrong to volley past Mannus.

Griffiths spurned a golden chance to double the hosts' advantage straight after the break when Mannus palmed a fiercely-struck Mackay-Steven effort into his path, but he blazed over from close range with the goal gaping.

The Hoops did get a third minutes later as Stefan Johansen slid a brilliant angled pass through for Mackay-Steven, who took a touch before confidently slotting the ball into the bottom left corner for his second goal of the game.

Mackay-Steven almost bagged a hat-trick soon after when he drove in from the right before firing a low shot across goal which Mannus did well to save. 

Celtic move six points clear at the top of the Premiership with the win while St Johnstone fall to fifth, though they have two games in hand over Ross County, who sit one point above them.