Saints offer redemption

ANTHONY STOKES believes Celtic purged themselves of their Old Firm disappointment by reaching the semi-finals of the Co-operative Insurance Cup with a 3-2 win over St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park last night.

The Hoops had been criticised after losing 3-1 at home to Rangers on Sunday.

But Neil Lennon's side came out of the traps in Perth flying and a Stokes double and a Niall McGinn strike had them three goals up after only 13 minutes.

But there were some nerves after Sam Parkin reduced the deficit before the break and Murray Davidson headed in the second in the 54th minute. Stokes said: "We had a chat about Sunday after training and the gaffer said we will draw a line under it and forget about it.

"We had to respond last night and the main thing was to get a win and we went away happy."