Rangers' Lead Cut To Seven After Win In Perth

St Johnstone 1 Celtic 4

Marc-Antoine Fortune proved the Celt's hero on Sunday as he scored a brace to give them the lead against St. Johnstone in Perth.

Samaras scored a third and Paddy McCourt the fourth as the Bhoys reestablished themselves in the League. A 1-1 draw by League-leaders Rangers at home to Hearts allowed the Bhoys to cut their SPL deficit to just seven points, with a game in hand.

It didn't always seem certain that Celtic would take all three points though. Starting rookie Josh Thompson at the back after an injury to Lee Naylor, Celtic were a goal down after St. Johnstone won a penalty in the 12th minute.

The spot kick came after either a push on Milne by Loovens or a clip on his heels by O'Dea; either way Craig took the penalty, sent Boruc the wrong way and gave his club an unlikely 1-0 lead.

Glen Loovens was taken off after 23 minutes after picking up an injury to his face and Paul Caddis was brought on to join the remaining three at the back.

St. Johnstone were reduced to 10 men after the restart when Gartland was given a second yellow card for grabbing Fortune.

Celtic now started piling on the pressure and Fortune took advantage of a ball from Samaras that he hit 20 yards into the net.

Samaras scored the next in the 77th minute with a good volley from 15 yards out and Fortune picked up his second in the 81st minute, McCourt adding the team's fourth shotly after.

Manager Tony Mowbray was happy enough with the win, saying: "It was two different halves. In the first half, they made it ultra-competitive.

"You have to give them a lot of credit for turning it into a physical affair. We stood our ground as much as our physicality allows.

"Obviously, the sending off at the start of the second-half allowed us to move the ball around quicker and their legs tired on a what was a very heavy pitch, and the rewards came.

"The goals came in the end, with some quality finishes, so I'm happy enough.

"My message at half-time was to keep playing football and keep moving the ball around the pitch, and things will turn.

"It's not a philosophy that changes with the wind. If you believe in what you do and the players are brave enough to keep going, you'll get your rewards in the end.