Furuhashi with a brace as Celtic ease past St Mirren

Kyogo Furuhashi hit a double as Celtic consolidated top spot in the cinch Premiership with a comfortable victory at home over St Mirren.

With Giorgos Giakoumakis absent and seemingly on his way out of the club, the Japanese striker perhaps showed why Ange Postecoglou appears to be so relaxed about the prospect of losing his top league goalscorer from last season.

Furuhashi took his recent tally to seven goals in as many games as his ability to play just on the shoulder of the last man twice paid off after lengthy VAR checks.

Liel Abada had earlier put the champions ahead in the 15th minute and substitute David Turnbull hit a brilliant fourth as Celtic dealt impressively with the only team to have beaten them in the league this season.

Giakoumakis has been heavily linked with a move to Japanese side Urawa Red Diamonds but Postecoglou stated before the game that a minor injury was behind his absence, as well as that of centre-back Cameron Carter-Vickers.

The latter's injury allowed Yuki Kobayashi to make his debut and the Japanese player delivered an assured performance, while Josip Juranovic started at left-back to accommodate the fit-again Alistair Johnston.

St Mirren had the ball in the net early on following some sustained goalmouth action but Curtis Main was flagged offside.

The hosts took the lead after a Matt O'Riley corner. Trevor Carson saved brilliantly from Carl Starfelt's volley before Kobayashi hit a post and Abada lashed home the second rebound.

St Mirren were playing with two up front and continued to cause problems. Joe Hart stretched to claw away Jonah Ayunga's long-range effort and Kobayashi came to Starfelt's rescue to block from the same player after the Swede had gifted possession away.

Celtic doubled their