We learned as and Co set high h a ruthless rout

cism, with some of it warranted as the champions scraped past opponents on more than one occasion.

Lennon maintained, though, that once he had a pre-season to get his ideas across to the players he inherited from Brendan Rodgers and supplemented his squad with his own signings, he would return to the buccaneering style that was a hallmark of his previous spell at the club and his time in charge of Hibernian.

There will be pragmatism when the occasion calls for it, but any fears that Lennon’s Celtic wouldn’t be able to blow away domestic opposition and entertain the Celtic Park crowd appear unfounded.

TOMMY WRIGHT NEEDS SOME HELP

St Johnstone, on this evidence, are in for a very long season if Tommy Wright isn’t able to bring in at least three or four new players to strengthen his squad.

The Saints boss quipped after the game that he is still a magician, but unless chairman Geoff Brown produces a few rabbits from his hat then it could be a real struggle for the Perth men this term.

The return of Drey Wright from injury will be a major boost of course, and Wright remains hopeful that a deal for Stevie May can be resurrected, but the whole team looks like it could do with being freshened up.

A game at Celtic Park will not be the defining moment of St Johnstone’s season, but what will worry Wright more than anything is that this simply didn’t look like one of his teams. There was very little fight, some very half-hearted tackles, and a willingness to accept their fate that was hugely concerning.