Celtic failed to make it three Scottish Premiership wins in a row as the champions drew a blank against bottom-of-the-table St Johnstone.

Brendan Rodgers' men suffered a hangover after last weekend's surprise 1-0 League Cup reverse against Kilmarnock despite dominating the proceedings at Parkhead.

The manager handed first home starts to Swedish defender Gustaf Lagerbielke and Korean wide man Yang as he made four changes from the side that strumbled to defeat in Ayrshire as Canadian right-back Alistair Johnston made his welcome return to the first team fold and David Turnbull replaced Odin Thiago Holm.

It was midfielder Matt O'Riley who tested St Johnstone goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov with three cracking efforts but was denied his third goal of the season on every occasion.

Despite it being one-way traffic for the home side they were frustrated by a stuffy Saints rearguard and the first half surprisingly ended goalless.

The groans became increasingly louder from the faithful as Celtic huffed and puffed but could not kick the Saints' door in as the champions spilled the first two points of the season.

Midfield masterclass from O'Riley

The Danish under-21 midfielder was allegedly the subject of a bid from Serie A side Bologna this week. Celtic showed exactly why they booted it into touch as the 22-year-old is flourishing under the tutelage of Rodgers and is most definitely not for sale. O'Riley has two goals and one assist in three Premiership games so far this campaign. He recently revealed that a pep talk from Rodgers had encouraged him to get on the scoresheet more often after tweaking his role slightly. He was excellent against the Saints and was thwarted three times from netting the opening by the heroics of St Johnstone goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov who saved two excellent strikes on target. O'Riley was at the hub of everything creative and positive about Celtic on the day.

Tony Haggerty

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Kyogo needs to be more involved 

Rodgers has tinkered with the goalscoring talisman's role and revealed that he wants him to link up the play more. That's all and fine and well but on numerous occasions, the ball was fizzed across the face of the goal and Kyogo was caught on his heels because he had occupied a deeper position. He hit the net 34 times last season and his worth is measured in goals. Rodgers also admitted that Kyogo is an 'elite-level striker' and the he should be doing what he does best and that is banging in goals. It told on him too. He gave exasperated looks to the heavens and cut a forlorn figure whenever the ball skipped across the opposition's six-yard box. The Kyogo of the past two seasons would have gleefully tapped those opportunities into the net. Of the two goals he has scored this season, the Japanese has taken just three touches. He is a player who plays on instinct, relies on his sharpness of mind, quick feet and brain to make those darting runs to the near post or in behind tight defences.

Tony Haggerty

Johnston is back in business

It was a welcome return to the side for the Canada international, who made his first appearance for both Celtic this season and new manager Rodgers. What a difference he makes to the side, too, with his qualities apparent straight from the off. A lovely weighted cross from the right-back found Kyogo, who really should have scored. A couple of fouls committed here and there, but overall a comfortable first-half from last season’s defensive stalwart. Into the second half, Johnston was allowed another 15 minutes before the manager decided to take him off, which was clearly a pre-planned arrangement due to his easing back into first-team proceedings. It was a solid enough first game back for Johnston, though he will know that tougher tests await defensively, starting next week against Rangers at Ibrox. He will be called upon for sure, so these 60 minutes will have been vital for his recovery. It’s good to have the Canadian back, in an area of the park where injuries are unfortunately rife.

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Ryan McGinlay

Lager and Liam were the perfect cocktail 

Gustaf Lagerbielke and central defensive partner Liam Scales sailed through the 90 minutes which allowed both players to develop a decent understanding ahead of next weekend's tough fixture. The Swedish stopper strolled through his home debut whilst Irishman Scales was solid enough in possession and his distribution was on point all afternoon. It was a vital 90 minutes for both players who will form the central defensive pairing against Rangers because needs must. Scales also has a win over the Govan club from his loan spell and the Irishman will need to lean on all that experience when he is pitched into the heat of the Glasgow derby battle in Govan. As for Lagerbielke, he won't have experienced anything like this in his career before but he looks like a really cool, calm and collected customer. There will be no hiding place against Michael Beale's men and it is in such games that unlikely heroes are born. 

Tony Haggerty

Yang looks promising again

Following various bright cameo appearances, Rodgers elected to give South Korean wideman his first competitive start. The summer signing from Gangwon FC was keen to make a solid impression from the off. Always looking to get onto the ball, Yang constantly made himself available as an attacking outlet. Despite the end product not always being there - which is to be expected on a first start - he was one of Celtic’s better performers in an otherwise drab first half. A close-range shot sent wide past the post was the best chance of the opening 45 from the winger. After the restart, it was clear - like the first half - that any danger coming St Johnstone’s way would be through Yang, who had the beating of his marker throughout the game. Not unlike Johnston, Yang was substituted midway through the second half, in favour of James Forrest. A surprising decision, but the South Korean must have run his race. A bright player for the present and the future, but perhaps a little too keen to force things. There is plenty more to come from the exciting winger.

Ryan McGinlay