Almost a St Mirren opener!

Celtic keeper Scott Bain comes for a corner and gets nowhere near it, with Joe Shaughnessy's header then deflected wide.

The hosts threaten again from the resulting set-piece with Charles Dunne showing nifty footwork before lashing a shot into the side-netting.

Another free-kick in a promising position for Celtic, but Nir Bitton can't keep it down.

Celtic defender Stephen Welsh is then booked for hauling down Jay Henderson at the other end to give St Mirren a set-piece out wide.

Scott Tanser's delivery is awful, though, and doesn't make it past the first man.

Hibs really should score.

They open Aberdeen up for the first time as Declan Gallagher gives Martin Boyle too much space in the box, but he takes too long to get his shot away and Gallagher recovers to block.

The danger isn't over as the ball then loops over to Kevin Nisbet on the edge of the six-yard box, but the Scotland striker heads over the bar.

Image source, SNS

Remember that bit of luck I mentioned for St Johnstone's equaliser?

That's another huge slice of fortune. It's sometimes moments like that you need to get out of a rut.

A glimmer for St Mirren as Curtis Main looks to break free in Celtic's half.

Greg Kiltie's pass is poor, though, and the Celtic defence cut out the danger.

Big let-off for St Johnstone.

Ross Callachan stutters and sends Elliot Parish the wrong way in the home goal, but his penalty comes off the right-hand post.

Joseph Hungbo's free-kick from the edge of the box strikes the outstretched hand of Craig Bryson and referee Willie Collum immediately points to the spot.

Jamie McCart's fizzing cross goes all the way back out of the box to St Johnstone's James Brown, who connects with it on the half-volley with venom.

But for a Charles-Cook block, it looked destined to fly into the net.

Aberdeen attempt a free-kick routine that doesn't quite come off, but they get a break as the ball spins to Dean Campbell who drills a shot from distance the wrong side of the far post.

Lewis Ferguson has an attempt too, and Hibs goalkeeper Matt Macey has to palm it wide for a corner.

Image source, SNS

Some good passing football from Aberdeen as they keep the ball away from Hibs for long spells, and Ryan Hedges almost finishes off a fine move.

But the Welsh winger's attempted through ball to Marley Watkins - who would have been clean through on goal - is just cut out.

St Mirren survive - for now.

Callum McGregor's shot from just inside the box loops off a defender but Dean Lyness is alert to change direction and save, then foil Liel Abada on the rebound.

Abada is flagged offside but Lyness wasn't to know that.

Fine start from stand-in keeper Dean Lyness.

It's the St Mirren man's first league appearance in over 10 months.

Celtic are ramping up the pressure.

Liam Scales' shot from a Callum McGregor cutback is deflected narrowly wide and Anthony Ralston's flick from the resulting corner is turned over by Dean Lyness.

Liel Abada then has a drive saved before the rebound is ballooned over the bar.

As it stands, Ross County are opening up a four-point gap on bottom club St Johnstone.

Really concerning times for the Perth side. Can they respond?

The first real chance of the game comes from Aberdeen.

Jay Emmanuel-Thomas is allowed bring the ball forward through midfield and his shot at goal is deflected wide for a corner.

Funso Ojo's set-piece into the box is poor though, and although Aberdeen get a second bite at it, Christian Ramirez puts a header well wide.

The average positions in Paisley show St Mirren sitting pretty deep against a Celtic side who are camped in the hosts' half.

Image source, Opta

Dean Lyness excels again.

This time the St Mirren back-up keeper throws himself to his right and gets his fingertips to Nir Bitton's whipped 25-yard free-kick.

A Ross County corner is nodded away by Murray Davidson but falls kindly for David Cancola at the edge of the box, whose attempt narrowly creeps over the bar.

Moments later Regan Charles-Cook's strike from distance also flies inches over as County begin to grow into the game.