Adam Idah on target as Celtic ease past St Mirren

Reo Hatate scored his first goal for six months and Adam Idah was on the mark again in Celtic's 3-0 cinch Premiership win over St Mirren.

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The midfielder produced a classy finish as Celtic recovered from a slack and goalless first half to take control of the game early in the second period.

Hatate has endured an injury-hit 12 months but he stepped up his comeback from calf problems by easing the tension around Celtic Park.

Kyogo Furuhashi and Republic of Ireland striker Idah also netted as the league leaders moved four points ahead of Rangers, who have still to play twice before the split.

With Daizen Maeda absent with a hamstring problem, Celtic missed the wide player's dynamism in a tepid first-half display.

Yang Hyun-jun was handed a start in Maeda's place despite his poor defensive work when Rangers equalised at Ibrox last weekend. Callum McGregor started on the bench as Celtic continue to manage his Achilles problem while Maik Nawrocki replaced the injured Liam Scales.

The centre-back was fortunate to escape an early booking for a late aerial challenge on Toyosi Olusanya after misjudging the flight of the ball in his first appearance for seven weeks.

He was far from the only Celtic player to start slowly and referee Steven McLean again frustrated the visitors when he gave them a free-kick just as they broke two on one.

Ryan Strain came on for St Mirren after Elvis Bwomono went off with a head knock and the Australian was quickly booked for a foul on Yang.

That was a rare moment of progress for the South Korea winger though and Celtic only managed one shot in the first half, Matt O'Riley's drilled effort blocked by Caolan Boyd-Munce.

Boyd-Munce was showing strength and composure in the Saints midfield and