St Johnstone 1 Celtic 3: Jaiyesimi nets first club goal but Saints pegged back and defeated by league leaders

Diallang Jaiyesimi impressed in the forward department but St Johnstone were pegged back and defeated by league leaders Celtic.

Jaiyesimi had bundled the Perth side into a first half lead before Callum McGregor fired the visitors level after the break.

Matt O’Riley, with little over 10 minutes remaining, sent a thunderous strike into the top corner and then substitute James Forrest wrapped up the three points.

Often a thankless task, on-loan Charlton attacker Jaiyesimi had been trusted to lead the line and that would require a power of running for the Perth cause.

He would also be required to show off his strength in holding the ball to pull Saints up the park when the opportunity presented itself.

Jaiyesimi, certainly in the opening half hour, had not made life easy for the Celtic defence and a deflected 17th minute effort from close range forced Joe Hart into action.

As the half progressed Saints had threatened through captain Liam Gordon’s header and a dangerous fizzed cross from Matt Smith which just required the touch of a boot inside the box.

Celtic, as you would expect, had enjoyed plenty of possession and had looked dangerous early doors with Kyogo and O’Riley attempting to break the deadlock.

David Turnbull had the ball in the net in the 20th minute from Yang’s cut-back but the offside flag was raised.

Not long after that Turnbull’s effort from the edge of the box had goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov on the stretch to tip round the post for a corner.

The breakthrough arrived in the 40th minute. It was far from a classic but Jaiyesimi cared little when wheeling off in celebration.

Graham Carey’s wicked corner kick had caused problems for goalkeeper Hart and the Perth attacker was positioned well to divert the ball over