Great defending from Jason Kerr, making a crucial block inside the six yard box to deny Leigh Griffiths, as James Forrest flashes the ball across goal.

Celtic were 3-0 up by this stage on their last visit to McDiarmid Park.

No big chances yet but plenty to keep us entertained as the visitors begin to up the pressure.

Billy Dodds
Former Scotland striker on Sportsound

Odsonne Edouard does well to volley a dropping ball on target from the edge of a busy penalty area but it rolls straight through to Zander Clark in the home goal.

Callum Hendry is pretty late in a sliding challenge with Callum McGregor but referee Bobby Madden is content with a quick word in the home striker's ear.

Billy Dodds
Former Scotland striker on Sportsound

St Johnstone midfielder Matt Butcher is the first man booked as his lunge takes down Ryan Christie on the touchline near halfway.

Jamie McCart gets up highest to meet an inswinging free-kick from David Wotherspoon but the Saints defender misses the target by a couple of feet.

Lovely, quick passing from Celtic at the edge of the Saints' box, with Odsonne Edouard drilling a killer ball into the feet of Callum McGregor. The angle is tight and the shot is not as firm as it could be and Zander Clark snaffles it up at the second attempt.

Image source, SNS

Liam Gordon is a lucky man as the St Johnstone defender misjudges a Ryan Christie cross deep inside his own penalty area and his slice ends up in the arms of goalkeeper Zander Clark.

Pat Bonner
Former Celtic goalkeeper on BBC Sportsound

Leigh Griffiths pings in a free kick after being upended by a crude challenge from Liam Gordon. The big men are up for Celtic but Christopher Jullien can only side an angled shot wide after a bit of head tennis.

Now David Wotherspoon has a crack at goal. Straight at Fraser Forster.

An encouraging start for the hosts.

Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster punches away a deflected shot and it falls for Matt Butcher at the edge of the penalty area but the midfielder can only skew an awkward volley wide.

Corner to Saints. David Wotherspoon's disappointing delivery doesn't make it past the near post and is swept away.

Celtic playmaker Ryan Christie is first to have a go at goal but his shot from the edge of the box bobbles well wide.

A blast of the whistle from referee Bobby Madden and away we go.

The teams are out. The ground is pretty full, with Celtic fans in three of the four stands.

Tommy Wright surprises Neil Lennon with a friendly pinch on the ear, then the former Northern Ireland team-mates share a warm embrace.

Image source, SNS

St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright tells Premier Sports: "We are on a good run of form. The last team to beat us was Celtic so that puts things into perspective.

"We have turned our season around in terms of the league and have got through two difficult cup ties to get to this stage. Let's hope they are raring to go.

"There's not much point us sitting back and allowing them to dictate. We are going to have a right go."

Celtic manager Neil Lennon speaking to BBC Sportsound: "It's an important tie in difficult conditions against a good side who had a great result last week, so we have to approach the game in the right manner. We have to react after the disappointment of Thursday, and we've got a lot to play for in the season. This is the next big game to come along so we want a reaction.

"There's a hunger about the players. They've got a great record in the cups and they want to protect that, but they'll have to do well to protect that. St Johnstone are a tough nut to crack and we'll have to play well to win.

"I want them to plough on with what they're doing. They've done amazing things and I want them to continue that.

"We're here to win and try to win well. If we win with a scrappy goal I'll be delighted."