Celtic’s unbeaten start to the season came to an end at McDiarmid Park yesterday as preparations for their midweek Champions League match were interrupted by a 2-1 defeat at St Johnstone.
The home side were forced to cancel training on Thursday after seven members of the squad were hit with a virus but they showed no ill effects as they fought back from a goal down to claim their first victory of the campaign.
Kris Commons had given the Hoops a fourth-minute lead with a fierce strike from 20 yards and nearly had another before Rowan Vine set up Gregory Tade to fire home an 18th-minute equaliser.
Chances were more restricted in the second period but with 10 minutes remaining, Vine curled a stunning shot past Fraser Forster to put St Johnstone in front.
The result leaves Celtic, who open their Champions League campaign against Benfica at Parkhead on Wednesday, with just two wins from their opening five SPL matches.
Premier League
Dundee 1 - Motherwell 2
Hibernian 2 - Kilmarnock 1
Inverness CT 1 - Aberdeen 1
St Johnstone 2 - Celtic 1
St Mirren 2 - Hearts 0
Played on Friday
Premier League
Dundee Utd vs Ross County - 0-0
Standings
| P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | |
| Motherwell | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 5 | 12 |
| Hibernian | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 8 | 11 |
| St Mirren | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 8 | 5 | 9 |
| Dundee Utd | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 3 | 8 |
| Celtic | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 7 | 8 |
| Ross County | 6 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 8 |
| Aberdeen | 6 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 8 | 3 | 7 |
| Kilmarnock | 6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Hearts | 6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 6 |
| St Johnstone | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 8 | 5 |
| Inverness | 6 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 9 | 14 | 4 |
| Dundee | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 8 | 4 |
Other results
Division One
Cowdenbeath 3 - Morton 4
Dumbarton 0 - Dunfermline 2
Hamilton 1 - Falkirk 1
Livingston 1 - Partick 2
Raith 2 - Airdrie 0
Division Two
Albion 2 - Stranraer 1
Alloa 0 - S’housemuir 2
Arbroath 2 - East Fife 0
Ayr 2 - Q’of the South 4
Forfar 1 - Brechin City 0
Division Three
Annan 0 - Rangers 0
East Stirling 3 - Stirling 1
Elgin City 2 - Peterhead 0
Montrose 3 - Berwick 1
Queen’s Park 1 - Clyde 0