The victory took Celtic to within four points of Clydesdale Bank Premier League leaders Rangers, who face Kilmarnock at Rugby Park tomorrow.

A Gary Hooper hat-trick would normally have grabbed the headlines, but the inspiration was provided by the much-maligned Georgios Samaras, who opened the scoring after four minutes.

And late in the second half, 18-year-old Dylan McGeouch stole the show with a wonderful solo goal, his first for the club.

Lennon, who revealed the players were keen to ensure victory for defender Charlie Mulgrew - who missed the game due to the recent death of his father - was pleased with the individual performances within his side's fifth straight win.

"I couldn't ask for any more from the players," Lennon said. "Hooper was sensational, as was Samaras, and for a young player like McGeouch who is a Celtic fan - as is his family - it was a special moment and I'm sure he is a very proud boy tonight.

"Georgios deserved a standing ovation. I couldn't be more pleased for him. I was delighted he scored and he set the tempo for the team.

"We know he has the talent, now we are looking for the consistency. I'm glad the fans appreciated his performance because he showed everyone what he can do.

"Hooper looked really sharp. He is a clinical finisher and you saw all the good things in his game."

McGeouch was originally a youth player at Celtic before joining Rangers, and Lennon revealed that he had intervened to bring him back in the summer.

The former Celtic skipper said: "I went to see his parents and there were about 400,000 people outside the house! It was quite interesting.

"I think we had to pay a bit of compensation but we are very pleased that he wanted to come back and play here.

"He might not get a better goal in his career than that and it was a great way to start his Celtic career."

McGeouch admitted that Lennon's visit swung the decision to return to Parkhead.

"When he walked through my front door, that's when I decided," he said. "I used to go to all the games and the manager of Celtic coming in my door to sign me showed he had intentions for me.

"I had six months left on my contract and I was allowed to talk to other clubs, but I wanted to come back home really. I left Celtic about four years ago.

"I was here with my brother Darren but he wasn't too happy so he decided to move on.

"My mum and dad wanted me to move as well and the next best place for my development was Rangers and that's where we decided to go.

"I thought that was it finished with Celtic. I was kind of sad.

"I was looking forward to going to Rangers, they are a big club. They knew they were getting a massive Celtic fan but they thought I was a player and they pay the wages.

"And when I played for Rangers I gave it my all and I scored against Celtic. But to be back here is something special.

"I am a massive Celtic fan and to score is a dream. My family were all there and I'm sure it will mean a lot to them."

McGeouch also revealed that it is no coincidence that he wears the number 46 which once belonged to Aiden McGeady.

"I used to go to all the games and I looked up to Aiden McGeady when I was younger," he said.

"He was exciting on the ball and a big figure at Celtic so when I came back here I wanted to grab his number."

Saints boss Danny Lennon felt his side met Celtic on the wrong day.

He said: "I said that Celtic have been unpredictable this season, you don't know what you're going to get, but we caught them on a day we didn't want to get them.

"They were absolutely fantastic. We gave them a helping hand in the first two goals.

"We tried to be positive in the second half to try to get something but that went against us."