Celtic inspired by Matt O'Riley with St Mirren swept aside as title momentum ramps up before shutdown – 3 talking points

Celtic signed off for the winter break in style with an emphatic victory over 10-man St Mirren.

Brendan Rodgers’ side followed up their Old Firm win against Rangers with three points in Paisley, thanks to goals from Daizen Maeda, Matt O'Riley and Greg Taylor. The result maintained the champions’ eight-point lead over their Glasgow rivals at the top of the Premiership going into a two-week shutdown. Celtic dominated the Buddies and were two-up inside the first seven minutes.

O’Riley produced a killer pass to Maeda after just 57 seconds and the Japanese winger broke the deadlock. Stephen Robinson’s side gave themselves a mountain to climb by conceding a second shortly after. Luis Palma and Paulo Bernardo combined to set up O’Riley who capped his 100th game for the club with a well-taken finish.

And any hope of a Saints comeback disappeared when Toyosi Olusanya was red-carded for a late challenge on Celtic keeper Joe Hart - after a VAR check. Saints actually improved with 10 men but after Zach Hemming denied Bernardo a third with a super save, Taylor volleyed home from close range to make it 3-0. Celtic, who were able to throw on comeback star Reo Hatate after injury, could have racked up more goals if it wasn’t for a string of Hemming stops.

Matt O’Riley capped his 100th game for Celtic with a goal, assist and yet another polished display. The Danish international was terrific from the off in Paisley and helped set the tempo for the Hoops' blistering start, alongside skipper Callum McGregor in the middle of the park.

O’Riley’s pass for Daizen Maeda’s goal after less than a minute was right out of the top drawer. He then followed that up by slotting home Celtic’s second from inside the box and effectively killing the game