QUALIFYING for the Champions League group stages, never mind the last 16, has been a big plus for Celtic this season.

But winning their own league – no matter who the opposition or whether Rangers are involved or not – was still the top priority in the 2012/13 campaign.

I do not, though, think the 1-1 draw with St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park in Perth in midweek is any cause for concern or consternation.

They played extremely well in the first half and the final scoreline could have been very different if they had only taken the chances they created.

The Saints goalkeeper, Alan Mannus, played very well.

If Celtic had been more clinical in front of goal then they would have had the game killed off at half-time.

Against Dundee United last Saturday, too, they played exceptionally well.

The result and the performance were both extremely positive.

They banged in six goals. The team's last three performances domestically have been decent.

It has been obvious that they want to win this league and, what is more, do it by playing decent football, too.

I don't for a minute think they are taking their eye off the ball because of the size of their lead, the fact they will definitely prevail despite their involvement in the knockout stages of the Champions League.

They have been hammering in the goals in the SPL and had it not been for the heroics of the home keeper on Tuesday night they would have done so once again.

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