THIS was always going to be a difficult afternoon for Celtic on the back of their Champions League exit in midweek. By the end of it they had seen off St Johnstone fairly comfortably to move to the top of the table but it was nigh impossible to shift the feeling of disappointment that enveloped the stadium like a peasouper fog. Even the Ronny Roar, Deila’s trademark fist-pumping celebration after every victory, seemed half-hearted both in its execution and its reception.

Only the three goals scored by Celtic temporarily roused their supporters from a state of world-weary apathy. The pain of not reaching the group phase of Europe’s premier club competition will endure for quite some time – a banner held up pre-match read “Gutless in Malmo, Clueless in Boardroom” – although the imminent international break at least offers management, players and supporters a chance to grieve in relative peace.

Such was Celtic’s desire to create some positive PR at the end of a taxing week they took the unusual decision of announcing via their Twitter feed midway through the first half that Tyler Blackett, the 21 year-old defender, had concluded a one-year loan deal from Manchester United. The player was subsequently paraded on the pitch at half-time to a warm welcome, quite something given the depth of sorrow evident among the support.

As one defender checked in, another could well have been bidding farewell. If this was to be Virgil van Dijk’s farewell game in a Celtic shirt then he strolled through it in typical fashion, even claiming an assist for the third goal. Southampton are expected to test Celtic’s resolve with another bid before Tuesday’s deadline, although if he is heading for the exit, there was no extended goodbye from the Dutchman as he left the field.

“There are four days left so we’ll see what happens,” said Deila who also confirmed a bid had been tabled for Inverness Caledonian Thistle’s Ryan Christie. “There’s interest from him from more than one club. But from a coach’s perspective we want to keep Virgil because he's a great player.”

There was a scare for Scotland ahead of their forthcoming Euro 2016 double-header. Scott Brown came off second-best following a challenge with Chris Millar and hobbled off in evident discomfort, but Deila, sensing impending panic setting in, was quick to put a nation at ease.

“I think everybody can be calm that he will be ready for the games against Georgia and Germany,” added the Norwegian. “I spoke to the medical staff after the game and they said it wasn’t anything big or serious.”

The verdict was not as positive on Stuart Armstrong. The forward did not feature at all against St Johnstone and will now spend the next fortnight trying to recover from a back injury rather than picking up his first international cap.

This ended up a fairly comfortable afternoon for Celtic although, for a sixth game in a row, they failed to register a clean sheet as St Johnstone got their consolation goal in first. The last team to win at Celtic Park back in March, there must have been a stirring among the travelling support that a repeat could be on the cards when the Perth side took the lead after just 11 minutes. Gary Mackay-Steven was easily beaten by Michael O’Halloran whose cross from the right was missed by Craig Gordon before striking the unfortunate Dedryck Boyata and bouncing into the net. The home supporters, not exactly a picture of exuberance before that moment, slunk even deeper into their seats.

It soon got better for them, though, as within seven minutes they were level and by half-time they were ahead. There was a large dollop of good fortune about the equaliser although Celtic will argue they were due some given the week they have endured. Leigh Griffiths’ shot may have beaten Alan Mannus anyway but a sizeable deflection off Tam Scobbie removed any doubt.

"We probably conceded too early,” sighed Tommy Wright, the St Johnstone manager. “If we hold on for a bit longer it could have given us a foothold in the game. There was a bit of frustration in the crowd but we didn't hold onto that lead long enough to build on that.”

That lifted Celtic spirits and before the half their team was in front. It was a fine individual effort from Tom Rogic who weaved his way past a number of defenders before planting a shot beyond the goalkeeper from close range.

A second-half St Johnstone revival looked unlikely and Celtic made sure of the victory with a third goal after 67 minutes. Kris Commons was unlucky not to score with a ferocious, bending shot with the outside of his left foot but from his subsequent corner van Dijk nodded it goalwards and Charlie Mulgrew claimed the glory from a matter of yards.

St Johnstone threatened sporadically after that – substitute John Sutton hit the crossbar and Gordon was required to make a spectacular late double save – but, for once, there were no late defensive calamities to trouble Celtic. How they must wish it had been a similar story in Europe.