Scott Bain: A challenge from Curtis Main at a first-half corner aside, a save from the same player after the break was the sum total of this rare outing for Celtic’s second-choice keeper. 6

Anthony Ralston: A League Cup final omission did not dampen the youth product’s spirits as he endeavoured to pick up where he left off in the last league outing against Ross County. Ralston’s relentless running gave young Owen Moffat a consistent option on the overlap and his low deliveries seemed the most likely avenue to goal for most of the game. 6

Cameron Carter-Vickers: The American got himself in a bit of a tizzy midway through the first half that almost let St Mirren in behind but, to his credit, he did recover the situation himself with a well-timed sliding challenge. Carter-Vickers occasionally had to deal with the physical challenge of Curtis Main but those were few and far between in a match played almost totally in the Saints half. 6

Stephen Welsh: Restored to the starting line-up in place of the suspended Carl Starfelt, the Scotland under-21 international was booked in the 33rd minute but had virtually no defending to do otherwise as his night became more about keeping play moving. 6

Liam Scales: The Irishman’s calm on-ball demeanour and a willingness to continue his runs into the penalty area ensured he was regularly involved in play – although admittedly it would’ve been hard not to be on such a ball-dominant evening. Unlike his last starter’s outing against Ross County, Scales was rarely tested on the defensive end while his link-up attempts with winger Mikey Johnston did not quite click to any great degree. 6

Nir Bitton: In from the start as expected in David Turnbull’s absence, the veteran midfielder showcased his set-piece threat with an 11th-minute free-kick which Dean Lyness did well to keep out. Bitton’s role at the base of midfield was largely rendered moot with Saints sitting so deep and he resorted to speculative long-rangers before going off in the 80th minute. 5

Callum McGregor: It was a workmanlike evening for the Celtic captain but now and again glimpses of more adventurous passing tried to force their way through. He was, as ever, a constant passing option for his team-mates but, like them, was unable to make the side's dominance count. 5

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Owen Moffat: The youngster started out right on his competitive first-team debut and, despite the depleted nature of the opposition, found himself up against a battle-hardened Premiership stalwart in Scott Tanser. Moffat struggled to impose himself in the opening quarter but his tenacity allowed him to grow into the game somewhat, although his struggles to beat a man were growing before his 61st-minute withdrawal. 5

Tom Rogic: The manner in which Saints set up meant it was always going to be difficult for even the elusive Australian to manufacture some space. He found it hard to come by for the most part and, although his slide-rule pass to McGregor in the 71st minute showed he was certainly still up for the challenge, it was a vexing night for the 28-year-old. 5

Mikey Johnston: The winger started brightly and skipped inside the St Mirren defence before testing Lyness in the eighth minute. While thereafter the usual caveats about his end product all applied, Johnston does consistently try to make things happen and came close again from a Juranovic cross in the 68th minute before toe-poking over in the dying stages. 5

Liel Abada: Tasked once again with leading the line as Kyogo Furuhashi was given the night off, Abada kept himself busy by trying to make himself available in and around the oft-cramped St Mirren 18-yard box but it was ultimately a frustrating shift for the Israeli, though he perhaps could have done better with McGregor’s flash across the box with 20 minutes remaining. 5

Substitutes

Josip Juranovic (for Moffat, 61): On to take up a wide right berth as Postecoglou sought to make use of the fact clever movement and incisive passing would probably be of more use than traditional wing play in the tight confines of St Mirren Park. The Croatia international offered up several decent deliveries in this respect while going just wide with a free-kick into the bargain. 5

Liam Shaw (for Bitton, 80): A sub that summed up the lack of game-changing options available on the Celtic bench in Paisley.

Greg Taylor (for Scales, 89): On for Scales as the manager tried to add some impetus to the game late on.

Subs not used: Hazard, McCarthy, Henderson, Montgomery.