Celtic manager Neil Lennon has saluted the ‘unbelievable brilliance’ of Virgil van Dijk after the Dutchman’s solo wonder-goal lit up McDiarmid Park.

The 22-year-old’s third goal of his Celtic career was enough to secure a deserved win over St Johnstone, moving the reigning champions 11 points clear of second-placed Motherwell.

As Celtic home in on a third consecutive title, Lennon was thrilled by van Dijk’s run from 10 yards inside his own half before toe-poking beyond St Johnstone keeper Alan Mannus from just inside the penalty box

And while Lennon was left ruing his team’s inability to subsequently kill off the game, he was delighted by his defence keeping a fifth clean sheet in a row — inspired by a defender who is increasingly looking the complete player.

‘If we had dropped points today, we probably wouldn’t have been talking about Virgil van Dijk’s goal,’ declared the Celtic boss. ‘So I’m glad we are, because it was an unbelievable piece of individual brilliance.

‘He has exceptional feet, he is a great defender. I’m not expecting him to do that all the time, but he is an exceptional player and he has made us better since he came here. He certainly lit up the game today.

‘Virgil has played a big part in our clean-sheet record and I think we would have dropped points here last year. ‘He has added the physical presence and height we had been missing. ‘He has been a good piece of business for us – but I have to say in training, his long-range shooting is normally as bad as mine.

‘Overall, today was closer than it should have been after our first-half performance. We should have been 2-0 or 3-0 up by the break. ‘We have to put teams away but we are learning to see out games and that is five clean sheets in a row now. Defensively, we are looking good.’

Van Dijk hailed the fifth-minute strike as the best goal of his career. ‘It was a good run and I think a good finish as well, so I am very happy with the goal,’ he said. ‘I expected to be tackled, though. In other games, I have tried it and I have been tackled.

‘I think it was a good goal, probably the best of my career. But I have not scored a lot, so that is not difficult.’ Ahead of Celtic’s trip to Inverness on Sunday, van Dijk also reiterated his belief that the Parkhead club can go the rest of the league season unbeaten.

‘Our belief is growing,’ he added. ‘We have enough quality to do it and the team spirit is also very good, so it is possible. ‘I am enjoying every day as a Celtic player. I have already played almost 30 games as a Celtic player.’

Meanwhile, Lennon praised the Celtic fans after there was no repeat of the trouble during the club’s last away match at Fir Park.

He said: ‘The fans were in great voice and I enjoyed the atmosphere.’

—Daily Mail