Celtic are firmly in control of their Scottish Premiership clash with St Mirren thanks to a Scott Brown brace and a goal from James Forrest giving them a commanding 3-1 half-time lead.

However, the away side could have been ahead inside the opening minute when John McGinn's left-wing cross found Kenny McLean, but the midfielder could only steer the ball wide.

Celtic then punished the visitors carelessness when Brown fired home after Anthony Stokes's cross had deflected off a defender and fallen to the feet of the Bhoys captain in the centre of the box.

McGinn found McLean with another cross on eight minutes, and this time the striker found the back of the net, but saw his effort ruled out for offside.

St Mirren were level two minutes later, though, when a deep free kick was knocked back across goal for Sean Kelly to volley in off the post.

Ronny Deila's side retook the lead on 15 minutes when John Guidetti played in Forrest, and the winger calmly slotted beyond Mark Ridgers from a tight angle.

Three minutes later, Brown grabbed his second with a powerful first-time strike that found the top corner as Celtic took control on the game.