From minute one, Celtic controlled the game. Newcastle simply unable to get within shooting distance, registering zero shots, whilst Celtic created chances throughout the first half, and managed the second to stay fresh for Tuesday’s toughie at Bootle.

Three times in the opening minutes, Joe Slinn kept Celtic out, first denying Jack Tinning’s bullet header with a reaction save, then reaching Ruben Jerome’s header moments later. Well-positioned for Liam Tongue’s free kick and fortunate Jack Irlam nodded wide. But with one-way traffic, a goal loomed and it came in sheer cool composure from Jerome. Andy Scarisbrick’s pinpoint low cross found him with his back to goal. He held off two defenders, turned and placed the ball two inches away from where Slinn could reach. Three minutes later, Irlam’s corner found Aaron Chalmers unmarked at the back post, and Chalmers thumped his header into the back of the net.

Five minutes passed, and Jerome threaded a perfect weighted ball for Irlam. One on one with Slinn, Irlam never let Slinn set, firing in Celtic’s third. Another four minutes passed and the pick of the bunch came from Mike Koral. Tongue’s sixty-yard pass into Koral’s path invited him to run. His first touch created the space, his second curled the shot past Slinn’s desperate out-flung hand. Ten minutes remained on the clock, but Slinn clung to Tongue’s drive and Irlam’s free kick was a little too far out to trouble Slinn who caught easily.

Newcastle re-organised in the second half, stifling the midfield dominance Celtic had enjoyed, but even so, Tinning got another header onto a set-piece only for Slinn to deny him a second time. Celtic also adjusted, once more getting the upper hand, but it was now about conservation of energy with another big match on Tuesday. Benni Smales-Braithwaite did get the space for a shot, but he lacked power or precision and Slinn claimed gratefully. As if to prove Celtic could get a goal any time, Ellis Horan burst past his marker and squared the ball to the six-yard box. Max Leonard duly arrived and put away the coup-de-grace.

Celtic are now back in a play off spot, and eyeing up the top three. Massive games stand between Celtic and the end of the season, starting with the rearranged Bootle game on Tuesday.