Celtic back on top after defeat of St Johnstone

Nicolas Kuhn (right) doubled Celtic's lead early in the second half

Celtic delivered a dominant display to beat St Johnstone and return to the top of the Scottish Premiership.

Kyogo, who also struck the crossbar, and Alistair Johnston had other goals ruled out for offside.

St Johnstone, who replied late on through Connor Smith, drop a spot to 10th and are just a point above Ross County in the relegation play-off place.

Rangers, who have the same goal difference as Celtic but with fewer goals scored, visit Dundee on Sunday. After that final Premiership game before the international break, all top-flight teams will have eight fixtures to play.

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Daizen Maeda diverted a Cameron Carter-Vickers shot towards goal and both that and Maeda's follow-up were blocked on the line amid desperate Saints defending early on.

Kyogo made a typical run to beat offside and latch on to Kuhn's pass, the striker's chip finishing too high, and Luke Robinson came to St Johnstone's rescue on the goalline by blocking Tomoki Iwata's shot.

Kyogo's chest then converted Matt O'Riley's cross but the striker was offside. However, Saints had no such reprieve when Kuhn delivered from the right and Kyogo headed past Dimitar Mitov.

The flag was raised again as Kyogo converted a Maeda headed pass.

But the Japan international kept himself onside to set up the second just after half-time. He latched on to Greg Taylor's pass in the inside left channel and the laid the ball across for Kuhn to tap in.

And the St Johnstone goal continued to come under heavy pressure as Kyogo smacked a shot against the bar following O'Riley's delicate pass.

Kuhn made way for Forrest and the veteran winger made his mark with the third goal. Celtic built on the left and O'Riley spotted Forrest in space on the other side, the substitute's control and left-foot finish both clinical and typical.

Smith and Stevie May, like Forrest, also made an impact off the bench. May's header was well kept out by keeper Joe Hart and Smith volleyed in the rebound.

Almost straight away Johnston netted at the other end but once again the flag denied Celtic.

Player of the match - Kyogo Furuhashi

The Japan striker recaptured some of his best form in a Celtic shirt with a goal and an assist

Title holders get job done - analysis

It's all about winning for Celtic at this stage of the campaign and on that scale they delivered.

Rangers have been a bigger problem to Celtic this season than last term or during boss Brendan Rodgers' previous spell as manager and that has raised the stakes but so long as the defending champions keep picking up victories like this, another title is well within reach.

St Johnstone's approach was to defend stoutly and compete where possible further up the park. The first part they did well enough, the latter not so much. Adama Sidibeh was isolated in attack and his frustration boiled over with a booking for catching Stephen Welsh with an arm.

The mission for Craig Levein's side now is survival and with Mitov in goal, Saints at least have a chance of staying in games. He kept out an Iwata strike with an impressive first-half save, touched an O'Riley free-kick over in the second period and denied substitute Adam Idah at close range late on.

What's next?

St Johnstone resume at home to Dundee on 30 March (15:00 GMT), with Celtic away to bottom side Livingston on 31 March (12:00).