SEVENTH HEAVEN — SAINTS UNDONE IN PARADISE

Celtic tightened their grip on the Premiership title yet further with a 7-0 thrashing of last season's two domestic cup winners St Johnstone at Parkhead at the weekend.

Goals from Reo Hatate, Giorgos Giakoumakis and Daizen Maeda gave the relentless home side an ­unassailable interval lead. Josip Juranovic added a fourth from the spot early in the second half and Matt O’Riley scored twice in three minutes before fellow sub Liel Abada thrashed in a seventh as the home side ran amok.

Ange Postecoglou’s side further extended their goal difference advantage over second-placed Hunco, who beat St Mirren in Paisley a day later with the pressure now firmly on. Something they don't historically cope with. If you can call 10 years of existence a history. 

Celtic haven't lost a domestic game since last September (2021) and show no signs of slipping up in the bid to bring the title back to the east end of Glasgow. The only downside for Celtic fans ahead of this weekend’s Scottish Cup semi-final against Rangers at Hampden Park was the sight of Giakoumakis limping off soon after he scored, but Maeda demonstrated his versatility and Kyogo Furuhashi’s keenly-awaited return is timely.

Wrapping up the league title will see the Bhoys go straight into next season's UEFA Champions League, with this season's second placed side forced to try and get in to the football party via qualifiers. 

Manager Ange Postecoglou said the Bhoys will "not let go" of their Premiership lead after the demolition job. 

"If anyone watched our training session on Friday they'd have seen there's definitely no complacency," the Celtic boss said.

"I've just got to hold them back a wee bit so we don't go too hard in training.

"They want this, they can taste it. The players want to create something special for themselves and they're not going to let it go now." 

The Bhoys next face Rangers at the weekend at the national stadium in Glasgow, as they bid to make it to next month's Scottish Cup final against either Hearts or Hibs.