Celtic go four clear as red hot Reo Hatate lays down the gauntlet to title rivals Rangers – 3 talking points

The swirling wind played havoc with the pre-match ticker tape display from the Celtic fans.

But a second half Hoops storm blew St Mirren away and fire the champions four points clear in the race to get the confetti out at the end of the campaign. The Buddies made life tough for Brendan Rodgers’ side in the opening 45 minutes at blustery Parkhead. But Reo Hatate eased any fears with a stunner early after the interval and Kyogo’s 16th goal of the season gave Celts a safe cushion.

Adam Idah nodded in a late third and the Hoops will have been happy to bag three points and sit back and see how Rangers respond at Ross County tomorrow. Celtic were strolling eventually but Saints made them sweat for a while until key men such as Scott Tanser were lost to injury. Stephen Robinson’s stall was set out early with one man up top and the midfield packed.

And it worked a treat in a first half that left Celtic frustrated. Rodgers’ side were restricted to half chances with Reo Hatate and Matt O’Riley both having drives blocked. If anything, Saints posed more threat on the counter whenever they sprung out. Hoops wide man Yang was struggling to any inroads and he gifted the ball to Gogic and it allowed Toyosi Olusanya to tear through before blasting over.

Parkhead punters were getting a tad nervous and it needed something special to ease the tension. Hatate provided it six minutes into the second period with a moment of pure quality when he latched onto Alistair Johnston’s ball, controlled it with his left and then steered into the top corner with the outside of his right boot from just inside the box.

Yang fluffed a chance for a quick-fire second after another cracking ball from the Canada full back. But Kyogo didn’t make the same mistake