Jota kickstarts Celtic’s roaring revival against 10-man St Mirren

Celtic scored five goals in 25 second-half minutes to turn around a half-time deficit against 10-man St Mirren.

Mark O’Hara had given the home side a sixth-minute lead from the penalty spot but St Mirren’s hopes of repeating their September victory over the champions were undone by Charles Dunne’s 38th-minute red card.

Goals from Jota and Alistair Johnston turned the game on its head and the substitutes Liel Abada, Matt O’Riley and Oh Hyeon-gyu all scored in a 5-1 victory that restored Celtic’s nine-point lead over Rangers.

Ange Postecoglou started with the same team that lined up for last Sunday’s victory over their Old Firm rivals but his side were brought back down to earth when Greg Taylor handled as Alex Greive tried to knock the ball past him.

The ball hit the left-back’s hand from close range and the referee, David Dickinson, pointed to the spot after watching the incident on his monitor. O’Hara stroked the ball into the corner of the net, just out of Joe Hart’s reach.

Before kickoff, Dickinson ruled that St Mirren had to wear their black Paisley away strip and Celtic their light grey third kit to avoid a clash of colours. The visitors did not look their normal selves on the ball in the early stages but they gradually began to create chances.

Reo Hatate’s first-time effort from 18 yards grazed the crossbar after a poor clearance and the Japanese midfielder twice set up Jota with back-heels. Trevor Carson pushed over the Portuguese winger’s first effort and Dunne diverted the second past the post.

The Saints defender was less effective when his attempted passback sent Kyogo Furuhashi clear and he pulled the striker down. Dickinson issued a red card and pointed to the spot, though the second punishment was