Celtic got back on the right track against St Mirren with a comfortable and composed display at Parkhead where they limited the opposition to zero shots on target in the 3-0 win.
After a dramatic 3-3 draw at Ibrox the previous week, it was vital that Brendan Rodgers' men got back to winning ways and a second-half show ensured that the Hoops did just that.
Reo Hatate opened the scoring early in the second-half with a ferocious strike past Zach Hemming to notch his first goal since returning from injury. Kyogo Furuhashi added the second as he latched on to a pin-point cross from Alistair Johnston, and Adam Idah capped off the victory with a late third; a second goal from the bench in consecutive games from the Irishman.
This extended Celtic's gap at the top of the table to four points prior to Rangers playing their two games in hand away to Ross County and Dundee. Incredibly, once those fixtures were complete, the gap was still three points.
League action takes a back seat this weekend, as Celtic face Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup semi-final, but what did Rodgers learn from his side's 3-0 victory against the Buddies?
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Japanese stars shining
Celtic's Japanese stars haven't shone as brightly this season. Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate have both had their campaigns interrupted by injuries, with Hatate suffering most by missing the majority of the season. Thankfully, the midfielder is back in action but his countryman, Maeda, is now out for the remainder of the season.
Kyogo Furuhashi has been injury-free but hasn't been able to recapture the form that made him Ange Postecoglou's talisman for two seasons.
Hatate and Kyogo took centre-stage against St Mirren, though, with the midfielder running the show. He is so good with the ball at his feet, breezing past opponents and showing his in-game intelligence in the final third, even when he isn't on the ball.
His goal was a brilliant hit and the pick of the bunch, but Kyogo's was also a stellar finish as he buried a close-range header for his 16th goal of the season.
Kyogo was taking up plenty of good positions in the final third, his teammates just
struggled to find him at times, but he proved again that if he is given the service then he will do the damage.
A tale of two halves
A story that has been all too familiar for Celtic fans this season - the team can't seem to nail down a complete 90-minute performance.
It must be stressed, however, that at no point against St Mirren did Celtic look in any threat of losing. It should also be pointed out that playing against strong winds in the first-half undoubtedly derailed any plans of free-flowing, attacking moves.
There was a distinct disparity in quality between the first and second halves, though, and it is something this Celtic side has been guilty of all-too-often this season. If Celtic can produce more complete performances in the remaining five league games then it will go a long way to securing them a third league title in-a-row.
Johnston's attacking intent
One thing that has caught this writer's eye over the last few months has been just how much Alistair Johnston's attacking play is improving.
It was the only real weak side to his game, but over the last few months he has been getting involved a lot more in the final third, and it is yielding results.
Johnston was the star man against St Mirren as he laid off two assists to help his team towards the victory.
As Celtic edge towards their Scottish Cup encounter with Aberdeen, Brendan Rodgers will be hoping that the return to action of Hatate, coupled with the return to form of Kyogo, will push his side closer to another domestic double. If Celtic are able to maintain their intensity and performance levels for the entirety of these upcoming games, then they will be a difficult force to derail.
James McKenzie // @JamesWHMcKenzie