Joe Hart: Followed up his rash decision-making against Dundee with an altogether more leisurely - too leisurely - approach. Dawdled for far too long under pressure from Michael O'Halloran in the 19th minute with the St Johnstone winger's challenge mercifully going wide and not into the net. He saved well enough from Craig Bryson's long-ranger in the 33rd minute and, while not overly troubled by Saints' attacking play, had another wobbly moment towards the end. 5

Anthony Ralston: The Scotland international had little to concern himself with in the first half-hour as most of the play focused on the left and central areas but he burst into life with a powerful run and cross shortly before half-time. Picked up in much the same regard after the break with a couple of charges forward to break the Saints lines in the final third, while never neglecting his defensive duties. 7

Cameron Carter-Vickers: Laid down a marker aerially in the opening stages by making sure he outjumped Parkhead foe Chris Kane. The American was almost caught out with a punt upfield by Jamie McCart but it was a rare moment of danger where he was concerned. As the game went on it seemed he was relishing any chance to beat Kane to the ball and did so at least four times while also posing a threat in the opposition area at set-pieces - only being prevented from a goal by McCart's brave block in the 68th minute. 7

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Stephen Welsh: Concentration is probably the buzzword for the youngster and he showed good positional awareness early on to cover for Carter-Vickers when a ball came in behind. He did let Michael O'Halloran through to cross a tad easily and struggled to contain his directness on occasion but overall he made a few more timely clearances before being forced off following a clash with Shaun Rooney in the 77th minute. 6

Josip Juranovic: Again at left-back, Juranovic displayed his usual composure on the ball while drifting in-field and getting involved in build-up play. The Croatia international's lack of aerial ability could have been targeted by Saints but, in truth, they never truly threatened in that regard. 6

Nir Bitton: The question for the Israeli was always going to be if he could follow up his impressive display against Dundee with a similar showing at the national stadium. He started positively but was booked by Nick Walsh in the 14th minute for his first mistimed challenge. He recovered well from that setback and demonstrated his composure under pressure with a few Zidane turns and generally kept things ticking through the thirds throughout. He was moved into central defence after Welsh's withdrawal and saw out the game there well. 7

Callum McGregor: In a slightly more advanced role due to the presence of Bitton, McGregor took advantage of that straight away with a great ball over the top to set Jota free in the fourth minute before doing the exact same a minute later. Both times Jota got the ball across but the first was blazed over by Turnbull and the second unable to fall for anyone in green and white. The captain continued to link up particularly well with Jota and had an attempt of his own blocked right before half-time before spending much of the second 45 ensuring the intensity levels did not drop. 7

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Liel Abada: The Israeli was outmuscled early on by Callum Booth and again struggled to directly influence proceedings down the right. He had a chance in the box in the 37th minute that deflected over but could not quite make an impression on this occasion. Withdrawn for James Forrest after 69 minutes. 5

David Turnbull: The Scotland international missed a good chance to put Celtic ahead after great work from Jota down the left. He still seems to hold on to the ball slightly too long in the flow of play; on one of the occasions he did try to speed up his release he underhit it straight to a Saints player, although his quick reactions just averted a potential chance on Hart's goal. He gave the ball away in a similar manner twice more after the break but his set-piece deliveries were of good quality and he slid a dangerous ball through to McGregor just before the half while doing the same for Jota late in the game. Booked for kicking the ball away in the 83rd minute. 6

Jota: Faced up Rooney and James Brown as soon as humanly possible and thereafter was the main outlet for Celtic throughout the game. Twists, turns, shots and crosses (including a frankly outrageous rabona of the latter) could have brought the opener in the opening half. A constant threat and a willing recipient, the Portuguese was a thorn in the side of Saints all evening and it is no surprise James Forrest's goal came after he had once again powered past Brown into the box. 8

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Kyogo Furuhashi: Dropped deep to get involved from the get-go and tried to play in his fellow forwards on a few occasions to little avail. He was always eager to try something to breach the Saints defence, flicks and runs being his go-to weapons, but was frustrated for much of the half. That exasperation continued after the break when he was booked by Walsh for not allowing himself to be manhandled by McCart and Craig Bryson in the 55th minute, though he bounced back from that by cushioning a lovely header at the back post for Carter-Vickers' chance. The Japan international continued to make lung-bursting runs and chase down loose balls until the very end in what was a goalless, but nonetheless effective, display. 7 

Substitutes

James Forrest (for Abada, 69): Made an instant impact by thrashing home the opening goal after excellent work from Jota down the left. Turned on the style when he had the chance with a few sumptuous touches from his wide right berth and generally made a nuisance of himself in his 20-plus minute appearance. Seeing him back is surely a welcome sight. 7

James McCarthy (for Welsh 78): On to sit at the base of midfield and replicate what Bitton brought to the party - which he generally did to a good standard, including a timely interception when O'Halloran was on the break in the 94th minute and a crunching slide tackle to interrupt an even later spell of Saints pressure. 6

Mikey Johnston, Ismaila Soro & Alian Ajeti (for Jota, Turnbull & Kyogo 92): All three were thrown on to see out the game - eventually, after referee Walsh apparently failed to notice them stripped and ready on the sidelines for over a minute - and so a rating would be superfluous, although Johnston did get a shot off in the dying embers.

Subs not used: Scott Bain, Liam Scales, Osaze Urhoghide, Adam Montgomery.