Leigh Griffiths fired in his first hat-trick in four years today as he claimed a place in the Celtic side for next week’s Ibrox derby.
The striker missed out at Livingston in midweek but returned with style in the 5-0 win over St Mirren that sent Celtic 16 points clear at the top of the SPFL table.
Griffiths scored in the first two SPFL matches of the season but had to wait until the end of January for his third goal when he netted at Rugby Park and signalled over to Scottish football expert Kris Boyd.
It took the former Hibs striker just 18 minutes to find his range with the opening goal, slotting home from an Odsonne Edouard cross.
Just before half-time Tom Rogic was the creator as the hoops went 2-0 in front. Edouard put Celtic 3-0 in front in the 54th minute before Griffiths completed his hat-trick 20 minutes later as Celtic took another step towards winning their ninth successive title.
In the 90th minute Callum McGregor completed the scoring after Hatem Abd Elhamed was fouled in the penalty box. Celtic’s goal difference advantage at the top of the table is plus 26.