Ryan Christie, Olivier Ntcham, Odsonne Edouard and Mikey Johnstone all scored as Celtic opened the Scottish Premiership campaign with a 7-0 win.
St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright has paid tribute to an ‘outstanding’ Celtic performance as a Ryan Christie hat-trick inspired the Hoops’ 7-0 opening day win at Parkhead, speaking on the club’s official Twitter page.
Celtic could hardly have looked more convincing as they dominated St Johnstone throughout in front of their own supporters, sealing a statement win in match day one.
Christie scored a stunning hat-trick, including two glorious strikes from outside the box, while Leigh Griffiths, Odsonne Edouard, Oliver Ntcham and the dazzling Mikey Johnston all found the target in a display that sets down a marker to Old Firm rivals Rangers.
And Wright, after watching his team torn apart by a Celtic side who also beat them 6-0 last season, was gracious in defeat.
“The game plan is out the window when we concede so early. I thought Celtic were outstanding,” the Northern Irishman said.
“From our point of view, too many of the goals were soft. I think at least four are shots from outside the box.”
With Rangers reinforcing their squad effectively over the summer and showing plenty of mettle to defeat Kilmarnock at Rugby Park thanks to a last-gasp Connor Goldson winner, we could have a genuine title race in Scotland this season.
But with Christie, Johnston and the returning Griffiths fit and firing already, Celtic already look far sharper than the team who looked rather unconvincing while sealing their eighth successive Premiership title in May.
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