Robbie Keane kept up his impressive scoring rate for Celtic as his second-half penalty helped the Parkhead men to a comfortable 3-0 Clydesdale Bank Premier League victory over St Johnstone.
Teenage stopper Josh Thompson's first goal for the Hoops gave Tony Mowbray's side a half-time advantage before Saints keeper Graeme Smith conceded a penalty in the 67th minute for fouling Marc-Antoine Fortune allowing the on-loan Republic of Ireland star to take his tally to nine in nine games.
Substitute Georgios Samaras, on for Fortune, completed the scoring with three minutes remaining as the Parkhead men moved 10 points behind SPL leaders Rangers, although they have played a game more.
The injury-ravaged visitors suffered a blow in the 15th minute when striker Kenny Deuchar limped off to be replaced by Steven Reynolds.
But that was simply the first part of a double-whammy.
Seconds later Edson Braafheid's in-swinging free-kick from wide on the right was met by Thompson who, among a crowd of players, headed past Smith from eight yards.
And - in the 28th minute - in a moment of assertiveness, McGowan worked a one-two with Keane then skimmed the bar with an effort from the edge of the box.
While the Saints had worked hard in the first half to keep themselves in touch, it appeared an uphill task for them after the break as Celtic took immediate control.
In the 67th minute Smith was beaten to the ball by Fortune and as the Celtic striker went tumbling, referee Calum Murray pointed to the spot, allowing Keane to blast in his ninth goal in nine games since arriving on loan from Spurs in January.
Three minutes from time, Samaras made it 3-0 when he planted the ball behind Smith from 14 yards.
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