After sloppily dropping two points at Dundee last weekend, the onus was on Derek McInnes’ side to respond and they led at the interval thanks to a goal in the 29th minute from returning Venezuela forward Kelsy.

Saints goalkeeper Toby Steward had helped keep the visitors in the game but further efforts from striker Ryan Naderi in the 61st minute and Kelsy again five minutes later clinched a deserved win.

In the 74th minute Saints substitute Kai Fotheringham was shown a straight red card by referee Chris Graham for his high challenge on Gers midfielder Nico Raskin – but only after he was sent by VAR to check his pitchside monitor – before substitute Tochi Chukwuani added a fourth with three minutes remaining.

The Light Blues have won eight and drawn one of their last nine games in all competitions and moved to within one point of leaders Celtic, who travel to bottom side Hibernian on Sunday.