Good afternoon! It's around half an hour until Celtic and St Johnstone kick off their Boxing Day tie at McDiarmid Park. Let's start with a look at the team news for today's match...

ST JOHNSTONE STARTING XI: Mannus, MacKay, Wright, McDonald, Wotherspoon, Hasselbaink, May, Davidson, Muller, Easton, Jahic

CELTIC STARTING XI: Forster, Fisher, Ambrose, Van Dijk, Izaguirre, Matthews, Brown, Ledley, Samaras, Commons, Stokes

ST JOHNSTONE SUBSTITUTES: Scobbie, Banks, Cregg, Anderson, Edwards, Croft, Kane

CELTIC SUBSTITUTES: Zaluska, Biton, Balde, Pukki, Atajic, Forrest, Henderson

There are a host of changes for the home side as Murray Davidson returns from injury, while Brian Easton, Gary Miller and Nigel Hasselbaink also come into the Perth side's starting lineup.

For Celtic, there are two changes as Teemu Pukki and Nir Biton drop to the bench in favour of Georgios Samaras and Adam Matthew.

Celtic head into the game in strong form, having won their last five top flight matches. St Johnstone have made a solid start to the season, but have suffered a bit of a dip in recent weeks, winning just one of their last four outings.

Ahead of this afternoon's game, St Johnstone boss Tommy Wright told reporters: "Celtic are the champions and the best team in the country. They are still unbeaten but that is a motivation for everybody to try and get that first win against them. They are capable of going the season unbeaten with the quality of players that they have and the depth of squad available to them. We've been given a few warnings this season of just what they can do. They went to Motherwell and won heavily, so they can destroy teams and we need to be wary of that."

Visiting manager Neil Lennon said: "We obviously want to keep the unbeaten run going and get a decent performance in both games. What we want to do is come out of the festive period with an increased gap at the top and give ourselves a bit of leeway going into the break we are taking in January. St Johnstone at home can beat anyone. They are a very good side and have been very consistent over the last couple of years."

There has been some controversy in the run up to this fixture. Police Scotland initially banned visiting fans from bringing flags after Celtic supporters lit flares and broke seats at the away game at Motherwell earlier this month. However, it was confirmed that police had relented on Christmas Eve, but the Hoops' fans will have to be on their best behaviour to avoid a similar situation later in the season.

PREDICTION! With just a couple of minutes until kickoff, it's time for a quick prediction. While St Johnstone will be one of the tougher teams that Celtic face this season, I can't see anything other than an away win this afternoon. I'm going for a 2-1 Celtic victory.

The teams are both on the pitch ready for kickoff. One the pre-match handshakes are out of the way, they'll be ready to get this match underway.

St Johnstone get the game underway.

Neither side look completely settled in the opening couple of minutes, with both teams giving away possession fairly easily. Kris Commons has had a half-chance, attempting to curl the ball in from 20 yards out, but the movement on the ball was all wrong, swinging away from the St Johnstone goal rather than into it.

St Johnstone almost catch the visitors out on the break as Gary McDonald sends a long ball forward for Stevie May, but Ambrose manages to direct the ball behind for a corner before May can get his shot away. Hasselbaink whips the ball into the box, but it's easily dealt with by the Hoops.

It's a superb solo effort from Virgil van Dijk, as the defender picks the ball up on the half-way line before racing towards the St Johnstone goal. He has a quick look around for support but realises that he is in the strongest position, before finishing with a superbly powerful strike.

Van Dijk is lucky not to have scored at the other end, as a strong pass back by the goalscorer for Forster hits a divet just before reaching the Celtic keeper, but the England international just manages to glance the ball behind to spare Van Dijk's blushes.

CHANCE! A Kris Commons free kick falls for Samaras, but St Johnstone manage to clear the initial danger. However, Scott Brown picks it up just outside the box and hits it on the half-volley, but a deflection takes all the pace off his finish, leaving Mannus with a comfortable save.

St Johnstone are staring to prove more of a threat up front, as a superb run by May results in a Celtic foul, giving the hosts a free kick from a dangerous spot, but Millar puts too much on the ball, and Forster is able to claim it with ease.

Samaras shows impressive footwork skills to keep the ball alive for Celtic on the edge of the box, before Stokes gets it out wide for Matthews. The defender sends in a solid cross, but there's no-one there to turn it in for Celtic.

OFFSIDE! Matthews blasts the ball forward for Scott Brown, who has to stretch but manages to control it before looking to unleash his effort, but he's flagged for offside before he can get the ball away. Brown, who has the captain's armband today, did turn the ball in, but only after the referee had blown his whistle.

It's all Celtic at the moment, but St Johnstone are defending well to hinder their search for a second goal. Samaras looks to deliver it into the box, but Frazer Wright manages to steal the ball away before putting it before for a corner.

CHANCE! Celtic have a golden opportunity to double their lead, but Samaras takes a touch too many, leaving him with an impossible angle, but he does get the corner.

CHANCE! While clearing the corner, St Johnstone concede a free kick on the edge of the box. Stokes takes it, curling it around the wall with ease, but it sails just wide of the post.

The hosts are starting to get a little more possession after a dominant spell by the visitors, but they're yet to really trouble Forster in the Celtic goal.

There's an injury concern for Celtic as Gary Millar catches Georgios Samaras down the back of the calf with his studs. The winger needs attention from the physio, and seems to be in quite a bit of discomfort, but it looks like he'll be ok to continue after being strapped up.

It doesn't look like Samaras has been too badly hindered by the knock, as he immediately races down the wing before crossing the ball in and winning a corner. Anthony Stokes eventually gets a chance to head the ball in, but Mannus is able to keep it out.

Hasselbaink manages to break on the counter-attack for the home side, but he's quickly closed down, and ends up putting the ball behind for a Celtic goal kick. St Johnstone just haven't been able to get numbers forward quickly enough when they win the ball.

CHANCE! St Johnstone finally string together a decent move on the edge of the Celtic box before Millar goes for the volley, but his powerful shot strikes Matthews before being cleared.

CHANCE! Stokes battles hard to get the better of Wright and Jahic on the edge of the box before hitting the ball on the turn, but Wright manages to get to the ball this time and makes the block. The rebound falls for Matthews, but his effort from range fails to trouble Mannus.

Samaras continues to get the better of the St Johnstone defence down the left wing, but still can't get the ball to anyone in the box. Incidentally, since he had his ankle strapped up, the Greek has been subjected to some pantomine booing from the home supporters. They're obviously not convinced that he was really hurting.

BOOKING! David Wotherspoon picks up the first booking of the match for sliding into Brown.

Hasselbaink finally gets some support up front, but when he gets the ball, there's a communication mix up between him and Millar, and the ball ends up being put out for a Celtic throw in. The visitors immediately press down the other end and force a corner, but Van Dijk heads wide while looking for his second of the game.

Virgil van Dijk's early strike separates the two sides at the break, as Celtic remain on course to continue their unbeaten run.

Let's take a look at some of the stats from the first half. Celtic had 61% of the possession and 10 shots, with four on target. St Johnstone had just the one effort, coming from a free kick.

St Johnstone have committed eight fouls to Celtic's one, and have picked up the only yellow card of the game so far.

At the moment, neither side have made any changes, but St Johnstone have left a number of their substitutes on the pitch at half time to warm up, so they may be looking to make some changes shortly after the restart.

The players are heading back out ready for the second half, and it looks like the home side will be making a change.

SUB! Swansea City loanee Gwion Edwards is coming on in place of Gary Millar.

Celtic get the second half underway.

Celtic are doing all the running in the opening couple of minutes. May tries to help out at the back, but ends up taking an accidental elbow to the head while battling with Van Dijk.

The visitors force a corner, which Commons takes. Wotherspoon heads it away, but Commons manages to tee it up again for Brown, but his finish is wide. Meanwhile, Samaras is down injured again.

It looks like the Greek winger is holding his head, but the physio is tending to his ankle. He may have aggravated the knock that he picked up in the first half and he's moving very gingerly as he makes his way to the side of the pitch.

At the moment, Celtic are continuing with 10 men, but Forrest appears to be getting ready to come on in Samaras's place.

St Johnstone look to exploit the numerical advantage, quickly pressing in Celtic's box, but they can't keep possession.

SUB! Well James Forrest does indeed come on, but it's Adam Matthews, who has been struggling with an illness, who makes way.

Stevie May has been working incredibly hard in midfield for St Johnstone, but it's starting to take its toll, as the weary midfielder is easily dispossessed by Ambrose.

PENALTY APPEAL! St Johnstone believe that they should have a spot kick as May and Van Dijk tangle in the box, and May appears to be brought down by an flailing arm from the Celtic goalscorer, but the referee isn't interested.

BOOKING! Frazer Wright is shown the second yellow card of the match. There didn't appear to be a foul so presumably it was for dissent following the penalty appeal.

St Johnstone are easily having the strongest spell of the match at the moment, as Wotherspoon wins a corner, but Forster keeps his cool to gather it before the home side can reach the ball.

Celtic win the ball back and patiently build up from midfield before Fisher tries to rush the move with a deep ball into the box, but there's no-one there to collect it. It's a waste of what had looked like a promising attack by the visitors.

Now that St Johnstone have started causing more of a threat on the attack, Celtic seem to have a bit more urgency about them. It the first half they secured the early goal, but never looked like being pegged back. Now, they know they need at least a second goal to make this safe.

BOOKING! Darnell Fisher is the first Celtic player to go in the book following a high challenge on May.

SUB! Samaras has done well to continue despite picking up an apparrant ankle injury, but he's now making way for Nir Biton.

Stokes picks up the ball from a deep ball forward near the goalline. He doens't have room to get the cross in for Commons and Forrest, who were waiting in the middle, but he does get the corner, which St Johnston clear for a throw in.

St Johnstone now have numbers behind the ball as Celtic are pressing hard for a second. They manage to force the visitors back to the half-way line, but Commons ups the tempo the thread it back in. Eventually, the ball drops for Van Dijk on the edge of the area, but his thundering shot is blocked.

SUB! It's another change for the hosts as Lee Croft comes on for David Wotherspoon.

BOOKING! A mistake by Ledley allows Hasselbaink to go on the run, but his ball back for Davidson allows Ambrose to clear. However, Davidson caught the Celtic man while trying to win the ball back, earning him a yellow card.

St Johnstone have responded following another strong spell by the league leaders, and are causing all sorts of problems at the back for the visitors. Gwion Edwards manages to thread several balls in for his teammates, but none of them can get the better of Forster.

CHANCE! Mannus makes a superb save to deny Commons as Celtic create another chance on the break. This should be a cracking final 10 minutes as both team's push desperately for the next goal.

SUB! St Johnstone make their final change of the match, bringing Chris Kane on for Nigel Hasselbaink.

A ball over the top drops for Stevie May, and he chases it down before taking it to the edge of the box, but Ambrose prevents him from getting any further. James Forrest immediately creates a chance at the other end, and Celtic win a corner.

Commons takes a corner short to Forrest, who takes it into the box before pulling it back for Ambrose, but the defender slices his shot, sending it high into the stands.

It looks like Celtic will be bringing Amido Balde on for the last few minutes, clearly hoping that some fresh legs will finally force the second goal.

SUB! Celtic do indeed make the change, bring Balde on for Kris Commons.He'll have an immediate chance as Stokes is lining up a free kick from 35 yards out.

Stokes looks for the Portuguese striker, but he's beaten by Brian Easton. The defender takes the ball out himself before passing to May, but he can only toe-poke it to Forster.

Forrest loses the ball to McDonald on the edge of the box, before turning to Kane. Forster gathers it on the edge of the box, but the striker collides into Van Dijk. Neil Lennon in incensed on the sideline as St Johnstone don't give the ball back from the throw in, despite Van Dijk having been injured in the build up.

St Johnstone are doing the majority of the attacking in the final moments, as Celtic seem happy just to try to defend their lead at this point, but a free kick gives them a chance to push again, but Balde fouls a defender in the box, allowing Mannus to boot the ball towards the Celtic half.

So Van Dijk's fifth-minute strike proves enough for Celtic to clinch all three points at McDiamid Park, and maintain their unbeaten record in the Scottish Premiership.

St Johnstone had a lot more possession in the second half, and spent much more time in the Celtic half, but just could not get past a solid Celtic defence.

With Dundee United losing this afternoon, the result means the visitors extend their lead at the top of the table to 11 points, while St Johnstone remain sixth.

Well that's all from this match, but stick around for a roundup of all of this afternoon's games in Scotland's top flight, plus reports and reaction from the English Football League. Thanks for joining me this afternoon, goodbye.