Anthony Stokes hat-trick fires Celtic past St Johnstone

Anthony Stokes inspired Celtic to victory as he scored a hat-trick en route to a 3-0 win against St Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership.

The forward scored his first on 16 minutes when he collected the ball from Leigh Griffiths, who was making his Hoops debut, and rifled the ball home.

Stokes added his second just after the hour mark he controlled Scott Brown's pass before hammering past Alan Mannus.

The Republic of Ireland international's hat-trick was complete two minutes later when he cut inside before squeezing a shot in at the near post.

The clean sheet means that goalkeeper Fraser Forster has now gone 1125 minutes without conceding for the league leaders.