Reo Hatate scored twice from right back as Celtic defeated St. Johnstone 4-1 to maintain their lead in the Premiership.
As the Hoops regained their nine-point advantage over the Rangers at the top, Kyogo Furuhashi also scored twice. Drey Wright scored a consolation goal, but Celtic had a 19-goal lead over their city rivals going into Christmas.
Goals for each team were awarded as a result of VAR interventions, and in stoppage time, Celtic replacement David Turnbull was dismissed after referee Kevin Clancy checked his monitor to review his challenge on Saints goalkeeper Remi Matthews. The midfielder will miss games against Hibernian after Clancy upgraded his initial caution to a red.
St. Johnstone had a six-match winning streak before they arrived at Celtic Park, but facing the champions at home presents a different challenge. Ange Postecoglou's team has already earned 55 of a possible 57 Premiership points at Parkhead in 2022.
After Anthony Ralston's knock that forced him off against Livingston in the middle of the week didn't go away, Hatate was reassigned. The midfielder lined up in a back four with Aaron Mooy occupying the center of the field because new recruit Alistair Johnston couldn't play until January and Josip Juranovic was taking a break following the World Cup.
After being unhappy with some aspects of his team's attacking approach in the 2-1 victory over Livi, Postecoglou vowed adjustments, and James Forrest and Daizen Maeda took the opportunity on the wings.
Furuhashi maintained his position, much to the annoyance of Giorgos Giakoumakis, who after making his 82nd-minute introduction versus Livi posted an emoji of an hourglass on social media.
Matthews had recovered from his illness, and Melker Hallberg and Ryan McGowan had completed their suspensions. After coming off the bench to score two goals that won the game for Saints against Ross County, Ali Crawford was unable to start because Nicky Clark and Stevie May were placed up front.
Early on, Celtic's left side caused Saints issues, and Furuhashi claimed he had scored off the last of several Mooy corners, but no VAR review was requested when Matthews palmed the ball away.
After Callum McGregor's pass, Matt O'Riley swept the ball wide, and May glanced Carey's free kick inches wide. Furuhashi sent Maeda hurtling down the left, setting up the first goal in the 14th minute. Hatate eventually received the low cross from the Japan international, and his 20-yard shot was deflected inside the near post.
Four minutes later, Furuhashi finished off O'Riley's low cross at the near post for the game's second goal, which was likewise scored from the left side.
Before scoring his second goal five minutes before halftime, Furuhashi pushed the ball straight at Matthews from a good opportunity. Forrest was put in behind by Mooy's lofted pass, and the winger squared for Furuhashi to score from close range.
After a VAR review, the decision to initially rule Hatate's second goal in the 52nd minute offside was reversed. Following McGregor's pass, the fill-in full-back slid into the far corner.
Midway through the second half, a lofted ball forward caused a gap in the Celtic backline, allowing Forrest to have a shot saved before Joe Hart was forced into action.
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