Celtic gifted their fans an early Christmas present as they restored their nine point gap at the top of the league with a dominant win over St Johnstone.
Ange Postecoglou's men wrapped up another three points as they put on a scintillating display at home to the Perth Saints. The Hoops faithful were treated to a Christmas cracker as they were treated to plenty of goals. Postecoglou demanded a better performance following a sloppy midweek display against Livingston and the Hoops responded going in three goals to the good at the interval. Hatate, who started at right-back, started off the Christmas Eve party as he fired home. Kyogo Furuhashi then grabbed a double before half time.
The result puts more daylight between the Hoops and rivals Rangers as they sit top to tree at Christmas by nine points. Here is three things we learned:
Reo the right-back
When the team sheet came out today, no one in Celtic Park could have predicted Reo Hatate would start at right-back.
The midfield maestro has been such a key player in the engine room for Ange Postecoglou but today he was moved to an unorthodox position in place of the injured Anthony Ralston. That unlikely switch never phased the Japanese star. He spent most of the game in St Johnstone's half, pulling the strings from deep, slotting into the inverted full-back role with ease.
His ability to get forward saw him get on the end of an Aaron Mooy lay off to open the scoring. It was a different role for Hatate but one he made his own, showing just how valuable he is to Postecoglou's side.
Nine clear at Christmas
Celtic fans were in festive spirit as they belted out Last Christmas with a Postecoglou twist and it shows what a difference a year can make in football.
Last Christmas Celtic found themselves hunting down Rangers as they tried to overcome a seven point gap. This time round they sit nine ahead, with a huge chance next week to stretch the gap to 12.
On paper this would have been a game Celtic fans would have been relishing the chance to secure another win and stretch the gap over Rangers. St Johnstone could have proven to be a stuffy opponent but the lure of being nine points ahead of their Glasgow rivals spurred the Hoops on to another dominant performance.
It's a sizeable gap for this time of year and no more than the Champions deserve.
Now that's better
Ange Postecoglou's side have rarely put a foot wrong all season.
But the boss demands high standards and issued a rallying cry to misfiring stars after being left disappointed by the midweek showing at home to Livingston.
He promised changes and those on the park delivered. This was back to Celtic's blistering best. They blew St Johnstone away for much of the contest as they dominated the ball and created chance after chance.
It's a return to form which will worry the rest of the league as Celtic look to continue their winning run.
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