Celtic midfielder Lubo Moravcik single-handedly banished the UEFA Cup defeat from the memory of Celtic minds with a brilliant display in the comfortable 4-1 win over St Johnstone. The Slovakian created two goals and scored a third in the first half to set the Hoops on course for a 15th consecutive Premier League game without defeat. Striker Chris Sutton was the first to benefit in the 12th minute before Henrik Larsson enjoyed the first of two goals when Moravcik crafted an opening.

The Slovakian then clearly exorcised the extra-time exertions against Bordeaux with a delightfully floated third just before the break. Larsson struck on the hour to make it 4-0 but a late goal from St Johnstone substitute Craig Russell ruined Rob Douglas' debut after the goalkeeper had proved his worth to the Parkhead crowd with some good stops.

Douglas was called into action in the seventh minute when he pushed away a Nick Dasovic drive from the edge of the area after Sean Evers had seen the midfielder in space on the edge of the area.

But it was a subdued opening 10 minutes as neither side truly gripped the game. However the Parkhead crowd were finally brought to their feet in the 12th minute thanks to Moravcik. His perfect ball to the right where Didier Agathe was in space was simply brilliant.

The former Hibs man cut inside before laying the ball off to Alan Thompson, who tried a one-two with Sutton. Thompson lost control but, at the top of the league, the breaks tend to go your way and Saints did not clear properly. Sutton took just one glance at the ball and struck it beyond Main's despairing dive.

Stubbs did well to clear a Mohammed Sylla cross for a corner after a powerful run by the Saints' man with Keigan Parker ready to threaten. From the resultant corner, Paul Kane found Sylla 20 yards out and Douglas did well to get down to his right and save.

But Moravcik was proving - yet again - his mastery of midfield and in the 35th minute, he sent Larsson clear on the edge of the box. The Swedish international looked up just once before curling the ball around Main.

Four minutes later, Moravcik devastated Saints with a breath-taking piece of striking. Agathe played a corner short to the Slovakian and Moravcik floated the ball over Main from the acutest of angles.

Larsson almost collected another Moravcik cross in the final minute of the half but Darren Dods read the situation well and cleared. Five minutes after the break and magician Moravcik was still conjuring chances - this time by setting Petta clear down the left.

The former Ipswich man swung a terrific ball for Sutton at the far post but somehow Main forced the ball around his post. It was only a matter of time before Celtic added a fourth and on the hour, Larsson did just that.

Thompson played the Swede through on goal and a delicate chip with the outside of his right foot left Main stranded. At the other end, Parker went close with a first time shot on the turn from a Paddy Connolly through ball but Douglas stretched to turn the ball over.

Moravcik almost claimed a fifth for the home side when a Sutton dummy delivered Thompson's ball to him on the left-hand side of the box. The midfielder took the ball around Sylla but his chip dropped wide of Main's goal.

Douglas was clearly enjoying his afternoon but Sylla and substitute Russell combined to dispel thoughts of a clean sheet. Sylla got past Joos Valgaeren on the by-line before laying the ball off to Russell, who stroked the ball past the former Dundee man.