FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED FROM THE SPFL THIS WEEKEND

COMING OF AGE YEAR FOR JOHNSTON

MIKEY JOHNSTON opened the floodgates in Celtic’s thumping 7-0 victory over St Johnstone as the champions unfurled the flag in style. Neil Lennon has plenty of attacking options at his disposal and 20-year-old Johnston looks ready to make a lasting impact in important first-team games this season after a successful breakthrough year last term.

POWER PLAY SPARES RANGERS’ BLUSHES

ALL THREE goals at Rugby Park came from set-pieces as Rangers survived a lapse in concentration to clinch a dramatic 2-1 win at Kilmarnock yesterday. Connor Goldson failed to connect with the ball in the air when Stephen O’Donnell fired home Killie’s leveller but the centre-half did not miss the mark with his crashing stoppage-time header to seal a critical opening-day win.

HIBS MUST SHARPEN UP IN ATTACK

AN opening-day victory is all that matters to Hibernian but the 1-0 success at home to St Mirren showed that the capital side have plenty to work on. Paul Heckingbottom will be relieved to win but his side missed a hatful of chances, with new striker Christian Doidge (right) the main culprit.

STEWART STRIKES ALL THE RIGHT NOTES

ROSS COUNTY could not have asked for a better start on their return to top-flight football. A resounding 3-0 victory at home to Hamilton Accies showcased the firepower the Highlanders have. Ross Stewart bagged four goals in the Betfred Cup group stage and was on target again on Saturday. The gangly 22-year-old striker will be a handful for most Premiership defenders this term.

BRIGHT SPARKS ARE BREATH OF FRESH AYR

FILLING the void left behind by Lawrence Shankland seemed a daunting prospect at the start of the season for Ayr United but a 4-2 victory over Morton proved that the Honest Men have plenty in reserve. Ian McCall rates young wingers Luke McCowan and Craig McGuffie very highly and both were on the scoresheet in Saturday’s Championship opener. Keep an eye on their progress.