Celtic start title defence with win over Saints

GLASGOW, Aug 14 (AFP): Celtic's defence of their Scottish Premiership title got off to a winning start with a 3-0 victory over ten-men St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park Wednesday.
The corresponding fixture at the end of last season had ended in a 3-3 draw but following a low-key goalless first half a similar scoreline didn't look likely.
Celtic made the breakthrough 10 minutes after the break when a defensive lapse from Steven Anderson allowed Kris Commons to send Anthony Stokes clear and the Irish striker rounded Alan Mannus to fire Celtic in front.
St Johnstone's Dave Mackay had a penalty appeal turned down before the defender was shown a red card for conceding one after he clipped the legs of substitute Derk Boerrigter as he bore down on goal. Nir Biton stepped up to convert the 76th minute spot-kick for his first goal for the club.
Callum McGregor completed the scoring in the 84th minute following a goalkeeping howler as Mannus somehow let his low shot squirm through his fingers and over the line as new manager Ronny Deila's first competitive league match in charge ended in victory.