Victor Wanyama scored a double as Celtic warmed up for their Champions League tie against Barcelona with a 5-0 away thrashing of St Mirren to remain top of the Scottish Premier League yesterday.
St Mirren had squandered a chance to open the scoring through Lewis Guy before two goals in three minutes put the Hoops on top.
Gary Hooper tapped in a 15th minute opener from close range before Efe Ambrose volleyed home in the 18th minute following a fumble from Craig Samson.
Kenyan international Wanyama rifled home a third in the 32nd minute before the midfielder bagged his double with a sensational strike from 30 yards that left the keeper with no chance.
The Hoops took their foot off the pedal in the second half but teenager Tony Watt was still able to head home a late fifth as Celtic cruised to the biggest win of the SPL season.
“They were magnificent, every one of them. They had a great attitude and there was a good tempo to the game,” Celtic manager Neil Lennon said.
“We were clinical in front of goal but having said that we had to rely on (keeper) Fraser Forster a couple of times – but we were awesome today.”
St Mirren manager Danny Lennon was bitterly disappointed.
“I felt we started the game reasonably well and then we gave away poor goals,” he said.
“We certainly met a Celtic side on top form and with us being well below par I have no complaints.”
With one eye on Tuesday’s tie against Barcelona manager Neil Lennon made five changes to his side with Scotland trio Scott Brown, Kris Commons and James Forrest all nursing injuries.
As the second half got underway, St Mirren missed a chance to pull a goal back when Graham Carey picked out Steven Thompson for a shot but the striker could only send his shot straight at Forster with Carey sending the rebound over.
Skipper Jim Goodwin then set Thompson up for another chance but he flashed his effort just over.
On 86 minutes Watt made it 5-0 when he headed home from substitute Emilio Izaguirre’s cross.
Results
Premier League
Dundee Utd 1 - Aberdeen 1
Ross County 3 - Hibernian 2
St Johnstone 2 - Kilmarnock 1
St Mirren 0 - Celtic 5
| P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | |
| Celtic | 9 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 19 | 7 | 20 |
| St Johnstone | 10 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 13 | 12 | 17 |
| Aberdeen | 10 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 12 | 9 | 15 |
| Hibernian | 10 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 17 | 15 | 15 |
| Inverness | 10 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 22 | 18 | 14 |
| Motherwell | 8 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 13 | 10 | 13 |
| Kilmarnock | 10 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 14 | 13 | 12 |
| St Mirren | 10 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 15 | 19 | 12 |
| Ross County | 10 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 11 | 13 | 11 |
| Hearts | 9 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 9 | 10 | 9 |
| Dundee Utd | 8 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 11 | 9 |
| Dundee | 10 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 4 | 20 | 4 |
Playing today
Hearts vs Motherwell - 13:45
Division One
Cowdenbeath 4 - Raith 4
Dumbarton 0 - Falkirk 2
Dunfermline 2 - Morton 2
Hamilton 1 - Livingston 2
Partick 7 - Airdrie 0
Division Two
Albion 4 - Arbroath 0
Alloa 1 - Ayr United 0
Brechin City 3 - Stranraer 0
East Fife 3 - Forfar 0
Q’the South 2 - Stenhousemuir 2
Division Three
Berwick 2 - Clyde 1
East Stirling 2 - Peterhead 1
Elgin City 2 - Annan Athletic 2
Rangers 2 - Queen’s Park 0
Stirling 1 - Montrose 3