SHOCK & THAW

Ice-cold Callum and Matt melt frosty reception to light a spark under Celts and put the big freeze on Saints boss

- FRASER WILSON

> ST JOHNSTONE..1 CELTIC..3 

THERE has been a bitter wind of dissatisfaction blowing in Celtic's direction for the past week.

For long spells in Baltic Perth yesterday that frosty atmosphere looked like becoming a full on blizzard of unrest as St Johnstone threatened to put the skids under Brendan Rodgers' side.

Leading through Diallang Jaiyesimi's scrappy goal and defending for their lives, Saints looked set to add to the woes of the champions after a week that saw them slip up at home to Motherwell and bow out of Europe in Rome.

Boos from the away section were aimed at the Hoops as they trudged off at half-time.

But step forward captain cool Callum McGregor to drag his side out of a rut and set up a second-half salvage job that at least sent their supporters home with three points for comfort. McGregor's 67th minute drive levelled matters before Matt O'Riley fired the Hoops ahead with his own brilliant drive eight minutes later and sub James Forrest kept up his remarkable scoring record in Perth with an added time third.

That makes it 15 games unbeaten in the league for the leaders - and an incredible 14 successive wins in Perth for the Hoops.

But things are far from all white for Rodgers and the manager will be concerned that his side lacked a cutting edge for long spells before McGregor's intervention.

Equally alarming will be the weak defending that saw a goal gifted from a corner for the second week running.

Yang Hyun-jun looked like a lost soul on the wing but the half-time introduction of Mikey Johnston gave Celtic a spark.

The Ireland international was looking to back up his midweek claim that he could make a difference to Rodgers' side.