Saints get the second half under way.

Will they complete the backs-to-the-wall job and jump into the Premiership's top six?

Willie Miller
Former Aberdeen defender on BBC Sportsound

It's not been difficult for St Johnstone to defend, although they're doing well. It's a compact shape, a defensive performance of a high quality.

That said, Aberdeen aren't making it difficult and that's why the fans are frustrated.

The ball tends to be with the centre-backs and they're thinking 'what do I do with it?' Most of the time, it's just a long ball.

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland at Pittodrie

Despite dominating possession, Aberdeen have really struggled to break down the St Johnstone defence.

Other than an effort from Ayoub Mouloula that had Saints goalkeeper Toby Steward at full stretch, the visitors have seemed quite happy to let Aberdeen have possession and maintain comfortable inside their own system.

Stephen Robinson will be looking for more urgency in the second half as his team shoot towards the red shed end of the ground. I still get the feeling, if they can find one goal, more opportunities may follow.

Callum Davidson
Former St Johnstone manager on BBC Sportsound

It's realism for St Johnstone, the players they have at their disposal.

Simo [Valakari] still wants to play football, but he's comfortable dropping into two banks of four. It'll get results.

Pittodrie is a tough place to come, so he'll be delighted so far, but he'll want a little more in the second half.

Celtic winger Jota made his first appearance in 18 months following injury and looked lively as a substitute.

"Isn't it nice to see him back," manager Martin O'Neill tells BBC Scotland. "He's a firm favourite with the crowd and, as the days and weeks go on, he will improve in terms of fitness.

"I didn't think he would be back as quickly as he is. He's done brilliantly to get into the condition he's in and there's a bit of frustration [that he's not in the Europa League squad]."

Centre-half Cameron Carter-Vickers was missing through injury at Fir Park.

"I don't know if Cameron Carter-Vickers will make the Benfica game, but it's not too bad," O'Neill adds.

Image source, SNS

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has been expressing his delight at the victory over Motherwell that has taken his side back to the top of the Premiership.

"Delighted with the performance," he tells BBC Scotland. "The team played really well. Maybe could have scored a few more goals, but we created a lot and that was desperately encouraging.

"Colby [Donovan] is having a terrific time for us - he's got a big heart and is adding other bits to his game. Dane [Murray] could be anything - he's got a good pass on him and he could develop into a really good player."

Of goalscorer Benjamin Nygren, O'Neill adds: "He's back on the scoresheet again, that's what he thrives on. If midfield players score goals, they are worth their weight in gold.

"It's psychologically a big boost to play as well as we did and go back to the top of the table."

Image source, SNS

Josh Fowler's penalty separates the sides and, as it stands, is sending Saints into the top six.

It was the only threat to come from the visitors, but the hosts have huffed and puffed but been able to blow Saints goalkeeper Toby Steward over.

Image source, SNS

The last threat of the first half comes from Jack Milne.

But the man who conceded the spot kick can only head weakly straight at Saints goalkeeper Toby Steward.

Willie Miller
Former Aberdeen defender on BBC Sportsound

Aberdeen haven't been able to press the ball quickly enough. St Johnstone look intent on keeping possession, running the clock down, taking their time.

If the space opens up, they'll go forward. But they're quite happy to fall back and go into a defensive set-up.

Aberdeen aren't showing enough creativity to break them down.

Dons winger Lewis Smith has a shot deflected wide of the far post.

But the hosts can make nothing of the corner.

We're into six minutes of first-half stoppage time.

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland at Pittodrie

The pressure from Aberdeen is beginning to build up some momentum, with Saints rarely in the Dons half of the pitch for now. I sense an equaliser could be on its way.

Willie Miller
Former Aberdeen defender on BBC Sportsound

It's a tight angle on the offside, but I'd have put my money on Nisbet scoring that.

He gets too much air on that, too straight at the goalkeeper - who does everything right. Nisbet will be disappointed though.

Great chance for Kevin Nisbet.

A long ball finds the Scotland striker racing through one-on-one with Toby Steward.

But his messy attempt at a chip is blocked by the goalkeeper.

Indeed, Ayoub Mouloua is off.

Winger Lewis Smith is on in his place.

That could be Ayoub Mouloua's last involvement.

The Moroccan has taken a head knock, is receiving treatment and looks to be struggling.

Willie Miller
Former Aberdeen defender on BBC Sportsound

The Mouloua effort was top quality, but it was equally matched by Toby Steward's save - I didn't think he was getting to it.

The gap just opened up for him and it was a raker - but what a leap from Steward.

A quick counter-attack from the hosts and Ayoub Mouloua is charging towards the visiting goal.

There are, though, still plenty of bodies between the forward and the goal.

However, his curled effort from 16 yards is pushed clear at full stretch by palm of goalkeeper Toby Steward.

Chris Cadden's low cross causes panic inside the visiting penalty box.

It's pinball off three Saints defenders and it ends up in the arms of goalkeeper Toby Steward.