Celtic show class of champions at Parkhead

Celtic 4 St Johnstone 0: Celtic confirmed their status as Clydesdale Bank Premier League champions on the day they received the SPL trophy with a thumping win over St Johnstone at Parkhead.

The game was over almost before it had really started as midfielder Joe Ledley fired the home side ahead in the second minute before defender Charlie Mulgrew's whipped-in free-kick in the 36th minute evaded everyone before nestling in the net for number two.

James Forrest made it three early in the second half as Celtic refused to allow the Taysiders out of a tight grip which had turned the afternoon into a non-contest, with Saints stopper Frazer Wright putting through his own goal in the final seconds.

Skipper Scott Brown, who returned for the first time in three months after recovering from surgery to solve an abductor problem, was handed the trophy on the presentation platform from a representative of the league's sponsors to huge cheers from the Hoops fans, who, after some indifferent displays and results recently, saw their side back to its best.

Celtic now look ahead to clinching the double when they play Hibernian in the Scottish Cup final at Hampden Park in a fortnight’s time.