Les Ferdinand, QPR's director of football, is in the stand at McDiarmid Park. The former striker is sporting a snazzy Game of Thrones style jacket to combat Perth's cold snap.

Wonder who has impressed him so far?

Image source, SNS

Celtic force two corners in as many minutes but St Johnstone repel the danger. Ryan Christie then tries to test Zander Clark from distance but the midfielder's effort dribbles wide.

Trying to tighten their grip on the first half, Celtic flood forward in numbers. On this occasion, they attack down the left flank and Emilio Izaguirre whips in a dangerous cross.

However, much like Forrest's delivery, it fails to find a Celtic head or boot.

bringthemonjpn: Celtic already unable to break down the St Johnstone defence...

James Forrest looks in the mood. The winger slaloms past a couple of St Johnstone challenges before standing up a sumptuous cross to the back post... but there are no takers in green and white.

It remains goalless, 15 minutes into an entertaining encounter at McDiarmid Park.

Pat Bonner
Former Celtic goalkeeper on BBC Sportsound

Celtic want a penalty, but referee Willie Collum is having none of it. St Johnstone get themselves in a terrible pickle with an ill-advised backpass. Oliver Burke is onto it in a flash, but a sliding challenge by Jason Kerr snuffs out the danger.

The ball comes back off Burke and trundles out for a goal kick.

Image source, sns

Tony Watt spurns a great chance to score against his former club. Matty Kennedy plays in Scott Tanser down the left flank, whose cross tees up Watt... but the striker balloons his effort high and wide.

Moments earlier, St Johnstone had nullified a Celtic attack after James Forrest, who scored four times on his last visit to McDiarmid Park, had played in Oliver Burke.

Pat Bonner
Former Celtic goalkeeper on BBC Sportsound

The visitors are probing a determined St Johnstone defence, looking for an opening and the chance to test goalkeeper Zander Clark.

However, a sea of blue jerseys between the Celtic attack and the keeper means chances have been few and far between.

Willie Miller
Former Scotland defender on BBC Radio Scotland

Celtic are restored to full strength as Kristoffer Ajer returns following treatment. Both sides appear keen to show their attacking intent in the opening exchanges.

It remains goalless in Perth.

Pat Bonner
Former Celtic goalkeeper on BBC Sportsound

Kristoffer Ajer continues to receive treatment from the Celtic physio as we get back under way.

The hosts, aiming to make their numerical advantage pay, come within a whisker of breaking the deadlock as Matty Kennedy, moving into a Kristoffer Ajer-shaped space, sees his shot blocked by an alert Scott Bain.

An early stoppage to proceedings as Celtic defender Kristoffer Ajer requires treatment for a head knock following an aerial challenge with St Johnstone striker Tony Watt.

Replays suggest Ajer suffers a knock to his chin as he tried to head the ball away. Gingerly, he's back on his feet and being checked.

Tommy Wright and Brendan Rodgers exchange a few words and a smile, before we get under way in Perth.

Both sides make their way out onto the McDiarmid Park turf, we're minutes away from kick off.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers tells BBC Scotland's Sportsound why he is fielding the same side as in midweek despite some new signings.

"We brought in players who can help us now and there are some good young players who will join later in the summer," he says.

"But the team's playing well, with consistency and scoring goals."

On-loan Borussia Dortmund right-back Jeremy Toljan is on the bench and Rodgers says:"It is always a bit different for defenders.

"He has only joined in with the squad and, once he gets used to the group, we'll look to give him some game time."

Image source, PA

Rodgers is expecting a tough test against St Johnstone despite that 2-0 win at Celtic Park in midweek and the 6-0 romp on their last visit to Perth.

"You always have to earn it against St Johnstone," he says. "In saying that, we have played well here and been an attacking threat."

Pat Bonner
Former Celtic goalkeeper on BBC Sportsound