Joe Hart: The Celtic goalkeeper was given a vote of confidence by his manager as he retained his place between the sticks despite his midweek European howler. He was caught off his line early on when Nicky Clark attempted to lob him but failed to execute the skill properly. He dug out a magnificent save on 69 minutes when he touched Stevie May's drive onto the post when the visitors were rampant. 7

Anthony Ralston: After underperforming in Paisley against St Mirren, the Scotland full-back was restored to the starting lineup and given a chance to atone in Perth. The Scotland international combined very well with Sead Haksabanovic down the right as they tried to exploit the limited space that was afforded to them by the dogged Saints. The right-back really gives Celtic some intensity and energy and it is only the form of Croatian internationalist Josip Juranovic that is keeping the Scot out of the Celtic team as his attitude and application are first-class. 7

Cameron Carter-Vickers: It was a welcome return to the Celtic first-team fold for the USA centre-back who had missed the last three games for the club and his absence was well and truly felt. He was handed the armband in McGregor's absence and it looked as if he had never been away. However, he blotted his copybook by giving away the free-kick that led to St Johnstone's last-gasp equaliser. 7

Stephen Welsh: The academy graduate copped the first booking of the match for what looked like a sliding challenge that amounted to nothing on Ryan McGowan inside the opening eleven minutes. It helped that St Johnstone did not offer much in an attacking sense but did get caught out with a simple ball over the top that led to Joe Hart touching Stevie May's effort onto the post. 6

Alexandro Bernabei: A rare outing for the Argentine meant he made his first Premiership start of the campaign. He was involved in the first meaningful attack when he played a neat one-two with Hatate and his accurate low centre found no takers when a touch was all that was required. The full-back then linked play excellently with Jota to create Liel Abada's gilt-edged chance which he spurned. The 22-year-old marauded forward at will and his distribution was on point and even pulled off an audacious nutmeg that got a rousing cheer from the visiting supporters. He did brilliantly for Giorgos Giakoumakis's goal by crossing for the Greek to score the winner. Apart from one slack pass late on he can be extremely pleased with his contribution. 8

Matt O'Riley: Deployed in a midfield anchor role, the Dane produced a moment of magic when he curled an excellent effort goalward without much backlift at all that St Johnstone goalkeeper Remi Matthews superbly turned onto the post after 18 minutes. However, the midfielder was lucky to escape punishment for a crude foul on Jamie Murphy. He was another player who prompted and probed away and always tried to find a killer pass whenever he moved forward. 7

Reo Hatate: Hatate constantly linked up the play brilliantly and the Japanese playmaker added a touch of class in the midfield as the creative bright spark probed away for openings and opportunities. He is such a gifted technician and always looks comfortable in possession and it was his wonderful reverse pass that created the space for Haksabanovic to drive the ball into the danger area which led to Andrew Considine's own goal that put Celtic in front. 7

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Liel Abada: The Israeli was guilty of missing an absolute cinch after just eight minutes when he skewed high and wide with the goal gaping following Jota's low cross. His whole game seemed to be affected by that moment and he was not his usual self and was subdued for large parts of the contest. He also clipped the top of the crossbar with a cross-cum-shot in 28 minutes and missed another two clear-cut opportunities after the break and never quite influenced proceedings the way he usually can. 6

Sead Haksabanovic: On his first start since the Shakhtar Donetsk match, Haksabanovic forced Matthews into spilling a shot before he was the victim of a lunge by McGowan that rightfully resulted in a yellow card. He was involved in the opening goal as it was his fizzed ball across the face of the six-yard box that was diverted into his own net by Andrew Considine. His movement was good along the front line and he looked very sharp. He could have helped himself to a couple of assists had Abada had his shooting boots on. 7

Jota: Portuguese winger Jota started the game very brightly and both he and Bernabei looked in the mood down the left-hand side. He also fired over a couple of telling crosses but was unable to conjure up a repeat of his goalscoring exploits against RB Leipzig in midweek. He was hooked for Daizen Maeda at the break in what looked to be a tactical switch. 5

Giorgos Giakoumakis: The Greek hitman made his first start since the 3-0 Champions League defeat to Real Madrid last month. He was starved of any decent service in the opening period before bulleting home a header following Matt O'Riley's free-kick into the box on 50 minutes that was ruled out for offside. He was a menace to the Saints' defence all afternoon in terms of presence and got his reward for persistence with a crucial winner when he was in the right place at the right time to bundle the ball home in injury time. 6

Substitutes

Daizen Maeda (Jota 46): The Japanese wide man replaced Jota but did not really contribute much in the final third. He was full of running as ever but is a player who is struggling to find form at present - he did put the ball in the net late on but it was ruled out for offside. 4

Oliver Abildgaard (O'Riley 68): Came on for O'Riley and shored up the midfield as Celtic saw out a hard-fought win.

Aaron Mooy (Hatate 68): The Australian was presented with an opportunity to score a killer second but opted to square across the face rather than have a pop at goal himself.

James Forrest (Abada 68): Looked lively when he entered the fray and had a couple of trademark jinking runs and crosses into the box.

James McCarthy (Haksabanovic 82): Given an eight-minute cameo and was involved in the lead-up to Giakoumakis's winning goal. 

Subs not used: Scott Bain, Benjamin Siegrist, Kyogo Furuhashi, Josip Juranovic