THE real drama was unfolding at the other end of the M77 last night. But if the burning question for the last three weeks has been whether Celtic or Rangers’ January signings would hit the ground running first we might just have got our answer.

Okay so tougher challenges await - the length of the Ladbrokes Premiership table separates these two sides this morning and the gap appeared all of that - but Oliver Burke and Timothy Weah were both on target as the Parkhead side strengthened their grip on the Scottish top flight by dismissing a tame St Mirren side.

For now the Parkhead side remain in the throes of a title race but - a point clear of Kilmarnock and three ahead of Rangers with a game in hand - the mood music has already shifted significantly since that Old Firm defeat at the end of last year. What else did we learn from what was a walk in the park at Parkhead?

BURKE’S LAW

WHILE Vakoun Issouf Bayo took his place in the stands – he will meet the press today - Brendan Rodgers stuck with Oliver Burke, his January loan signing from West Brom, as the one true frontman in his 4-1-4-1 shape. If it was a decision which raised an eyebrow or two considering the lively start which Timothy Weah made to his Celtic career at the weekend, it didn’t take long for the move to pay off.

The 21-year-old’s first goal for the Parkhead side – and his first for anybody since August 2018 - was a close-range header from a pinpoint Ryan Christie delivery which was steered downward but should really have been kept out by Vaclav Hladky.

Not every manager which the Kirkcaldy-born youngster has worked under thus far has been convinced that he is an out-and-out striker, but with his pace, physique and strength he has formidable raw materials, pretty much everything you need to play that role.

He grew in confidence after his goal, spinning Popescu cleverly before putting one on a plate for Callum McGregor, for once the Celtic midfielder getting his technique wrong and firing over.

His second goal may be even more pleasing, showcasing those predatory instincts some don’t feel he possesses. He mopped up the scraps to rifle in to an unguarded net after Hladky had done well to defy Forrest then McGregor. He thoroughly deserved the ovation and the man of the match award he got when he left the fray.

ST MIRREN MISERY

Oran Kearney’s first match in charge saw him mastermind a goalless draw against these opponents but you had to go back to 1990 – and a 3-0 win delivered courtesy of George Shaw, ‘Guni’ Torfasson and Paul Lambert – to find the Paisley side’s last win in the East End. Their hopes of repeating either of those feats were out the window within minutes.

While young Ethan Erhahon at left back landed the unenviable task of attempting to shackle James Forrest – his foul led to the opening goal – it didn’t help to lose the experienced Lee Hodson so early on. He was still being stretchered off when Stephen McGinn mistimed a tackle on Scott Sinclair and referee Euan Robertson pointed to the spot, with scarcely a complaint from the visiting players.

Stephen McGinn was the only man who tested Bain all night and even then there was no pace on the shot. Kearney, who named just five subs from the start, had the novelty of replacing one of them, with Jim Kellerman lasting only an hour before being replaced by the lively Kyle McAllister.

With Dundee ripping up the formbook to beat Hearts, they sit bottom this morning.

PAYING THE PENALTY

Sinclair had spurned one of Celtic’s four missed penalties this season against Airdrie at the weekend, but he was in excellent form last night. He made no mistake this time by beating Hladky high to his left, even though the Czech goalkeeper had clearly encroached by the time the Englishman struck it.

As it happened, Celtic appeared to have a decent claim for another penalty when a Jack Baird challenge on Christie just inside the box which went unpunished.

Christie limped off with what appeared to be a hip strain – precipitating a rare outing for Liam Henderson’s younger brother Euan - but it didn’t appear to be too serious.

CUSTODIAN CONTROVERSY

Craig Gordon is Celtic’s usual No 1 and Scott Bain is their cup goalkeeper, right? Well, on last night’s evidence that equation has just become a little more complicated right now.

When the former Dundee and Alloa Athletic stopper retained his place in the starting line-up for last night’s match, it was a tacit show of approval from Brendan Rodgers for a remarkable quadruple stop during the William Hill Scottish Cup fourth round tie against Airdrie and an indication that his poise on the ball would be important an asset to his team. While it occurred in December against Dundee, Bain starting in goals when Gordon is fully fit and on the bench in a league match is a rare occurrence. At times last night, you wondered if they could have done with out either.

That apart, pretty much every decision come this point in January comes complete with transfer intrigue. While ankle ligament damage to Tony Ralston saw him drop out of the team to be accommodated by Mikael Lustig, Kris Ajer took the place of Dedryck Boyata at centre back. The Norwegian appeared to take a knock late on but he strolled through a match where St Mirren barely got up the park.

WEAH WATCH

Although the game was already won by the time he entered the fray, the PSG youngster’s arrival – roughly the same time Jordan Jones scored down at Rugby Park – electrified this place. Having opened his account on Saturday evening, he really could have had two more.

First, he hit a post from McGregor’s scooped pass, albeit a linesman’s flag thwarted him, then he trickled a finish agonisingly across goal and beyond the post after fine work from Forrest out wide.

His goal was a carbon copy of the one he got at the weekend, running into the space to tuck the ball in after a nice pass from the enterprising Henderson. With he, Burke and Bayo still to come, Celtic now have scary pace on the counter.