2012-11-11: Celtic 1-1 St Johnstone, SPL

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Trivia

• Celtic second in the league on 22pts, two points behind Hibs! Celtic have game in hand.
• Celtic return to domestic duty following last week's 2-1 win over Barcelona in Champions League!
• Big week in Scottish football: 1) Celtic's win over Barcelona, 2) Scotland manager Craig Levein sacked, 3) Hearts beg fans for support else it's liquidation.
• Forster called up again to England squad for friendly, will he start?
• Tony Watt scored third goal in three games.
• Celtic struggling in league, letting the eye go off the ball in favour of the European Cup.

Review

(Nakasghirl of KDS)
Very poor performance today – to go with a string of poor to piss poor league performances.

There are a number of issues that need dealt with and quickly – players mentality, playing Mulgrew for the sole purpose of taking freekick from the right, Scott Brown's status as a Celtic player with a debilitating injury. We may very well win the league. But if we continue to play like that we could run the risk of losing it, or at best win it playing like that.

However, it is self-evident that Celtic in the league need two prolific strikers. Hooper is obviously the main man, but the absence of Stokes is also a key issue. Many on here don't like him, conveniently overlooking the fact he has proven himself a more prolific Celtic striker than a whole host of players we have had in the past few years who cost a hell of a lot of money eg Fortune, Bangura, Rasmussen, Samaras and Murphy.

The players and the manager need to stop treating the league like it is a break from "big" games. Supporters are paying a lot of money and going to a lot of effort to turn out in the hope of seeing an attractive, attacking, winning football team

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Stats

Celtic v St Johnstone

Possession
49%51%
90mins

Shots
13 2

On target
3 2

Corners
4 8

Fouls
7 11

Articles

Celtic 1 – 1 St Johnstone: Celtic falter once again with the Perthshire club

The Scotsman

Published on Sunday 11 November 2012 18:14

CELTIC appeared to be suffering a case of the Barcelona blues as they were held at home by St Johnstone in their Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash at Parkhead

Celtic: Watt (51)

St Johnstone: Hasselbaink (77)

There was a tangible sense of anti-climax inside Celtic Park following the Hoops’ historic 2-1 Champions League home win over the Catalan giants on Wednesday night and even when substitute Tony Watt, on at the break for Miku, put the home side ahead they did not look convincing.

Saints, who had been recently walloped 5-0 in the same venue in the Scottish Communities League Cup quarter-finals, sensed a point was there for the taking and Nigel Hasselbaink levelled in the 76th minute to leave Celtic with two points from the last nine and two behind Hibernian at the top of the table.

Parkhead manager Neil Lennon had warned against such a lacklustre display and could not have begrudged the Perth men a point.

Skipper Scott Brown returned to the midfield after missing the Barcelona game due to illness.

Defender Mikael Lustig started on the bench with Adam Matthews moving from left-back to the opposite side with Charlie Mulgrew moving back from midfield to left back.

St Johnstone defender Callum Davidson made a return following a back problem along with stopper David McCracken and midfielder David Robertson, with Gregory Tade and Gary Miller dropping to the bench and Steven Anderson out altogether.

This was a very different Celtic Park to the one which witnessed the momentous win over Barca.

There was a perfectly-observed minute’s silence to commemorate Remembrance Day post-match but the opening stages were played out in near silence in front a vastly-reduced attendance.

The visitors suffered an early blow in the sixth minute when McCracken had to be replaced by Miller after taking a head knock whilst battling for the ball in the Celtic box.

Nevertheless, Steve Lomas’s side, with Steven MacLean leading the line, appeared in positive mode.

A couple of whipped-in crosses from wide on the left by Mulgrew caused some panic but a free-kick from the Hoops utility player – and one from Kris Commons – were both saved with some comfort by Perth keeper Alan Mannus.

In the 26th minute, with Celtic in control, Victor Wanyama was presented with a great chance when Commons stood a cross up at the back post but the Kenyan mis-directed his header across goal, allowing Frazer Wright to complete the clearance.

The match trundled along at no great pace.

Parkhead midfielder Joe Ledley headed over the bar from Commons’ cross, moments before the Scotland midfielder made a yard of space for himself at the edge of the box before sending a powerful drive over.

Watt, who had come on as a substitute to score against Barca, replaced Miku for the start of the second-half and six minutes later he put Celtic ahead.

Saints keeper Mannus did not look too clever when he allowed Mulgrew’s searching pass to reached the former Airdrie striker who prodded the ball over the line from a couple of yards out with Wright clearing only when the it was over the line.

Not that the opener energised Celtic Park.

Just before the hour-mark a speculative shot from Dave MacKay dipped a yard wide of Fraser Forster’s left-hand post Lomas was then sent to the stand by referee Iain Brine after appearing to remonstrate with the referee over his decision to let Watt back on after receiving treatment.

In the 75th minute Saints appealed for a penalty when Celtic defender Efe Ambrose clashed with Tade, on for Robertson, on the edge of the box but referee Brines gave a corner.

The visitors, though, were growing in confidence, pressing Celtic back and Liam Craig’s deflected drive took Forster by surprise, the Hoops keeper smartly turning the ball over for a corner but that only delayed the leveller by moments.

The Celtic defence looked uneasy when Mackay’s ball came into the box from Mackay and when it eventually fell to Hasselbaink he turned and drove it past Forster from around 10 yard.

Celtic responded and substitute Beram Kayal, on for Joe Ledley, drilled a shot from the edge of the box just over the bar.

St Johnstone, unsurprisingly, were forced to defend in the closing stages but they deservedly held out for a point.

BBC
By Colin Moffat BBC Scotland at Celtic Park

Celtic slipped from top spot in the Scottish Premier League after being held at home by St Johnstone in a low-key contest.

Tony Watt knocked Celtic in front on 51 minutes as the introduction of the teenage substitute briefly energised proceedings.

But Celtic were lethargic after their midweek heroics against Barcelona.

And Nigel Hasselbaink punished them with a lovely shot on the turn to earn a point for the Saints.

With Hibernian winning earlier in the day, Neil Lennon's side are now two points behind the Edinburgh outfit, although they do have a game in hand.

As is so often the case after a big occasion, this was a very flat affair, with the raucous Champions League singing of Wednesday night replaced by the low murmur of conversation and the odd ripple of applause in a drab first-half.
Celtic forward Tony Watt

Watt netted his third goal in three games

Saints defender Frazer Wright did well to get his head to a deep cross from Charlie Mulgrew before Miku could connect near the penalty spot.

Georgios Samaras cleverly span away from Wright but his route to goal was crudely halted by a cynical trip, which earned the Saints defender an early booking.

Kris Commons then found Victor Wanyama with a clipped cross from the right but the powerful midfielder made a real mess of his close range header at the back post.

Joe Ledley headed over as Celtic gradually gathered momentum, while Commons twisted away from a couple of opponents before firing just too high from 20 yards.

Watt was introduced at the start of the second half and wasted no time in announcing his arrival.
Play media

The teenager showed just the kind of hunger and determination that his team-mates were lacking in the first 45 minutes to beat keeper Alan Mannus to a searching, long ball from Mulgrew and bundle the ball over the line.

Saints defender David McKay flashed an effort across Fraser Forster's goal before his manager Steve Lomas was ordered to the stand by referee Iain Brines for complaining too vociferously.

There were more protests from the visitors when Brines chose to ignore Efe Ambrose chopping down replacement striker Gregory Tade right on the edge of the penalty area.

But Saints' mood was lifted soon after when they restored parity.
Play media

Moments after making a good reaction save to keep out a Liam Craig volley, Forster was beaten by a smart, low shot on the turn from Hasselbaink.

Stung by the equaliser, Celtic responded with a rising strike from Beram Kayal and Wanyama was let down by his chest control when racing in behind the Saints defence.

Watt steered a stoppage-time header on target but it failed to trouble Mannus as Celtic dropped points in the league for the third match in a row.

Live Text Commentary
90:00 +3:09 Full time

Full Time The match has reached full-time.
90:00 +2:47

Gregory Tade is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Kelvin Wilson takes the free kick.
90:00 +2:30

Tony Watt takes a shot. Alan Mannus makes a save.
90:00 +1:04

Beram Kayal fouled by Rowan Vine, the ref awards a free kick. Kris Commons delivers the ball, Header from close in by Charlie Mulgrew misses to the right of the goal.
89:03

Foul by Beram Kayal on Chris Millar, free kick awarded. David MacKay takes the direct free kick.
86:57

David MacKay challenges Georgios Samaras unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick crossed right-footed by Kris Commons, clearance made by Gary Miller.
83:49 Substitution

Substitution Rowan Vine on for Nigel Hasselbaink.
83:18 Substitution

Substitution Efe Ambrose leaves the field to be replaced by Dylan McGeouch.
83:18

Effort on goal by Kris Commons from inside the penalty area goes harmlessly over the bar.
82:10

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Tony Watt by David MacKay. The free kick is swung in left-footed by Kris Commons, clearance by Liam Craig.
80:01

Beram Kayal takes a shot from just outside the penalty area clears the crossbar.
78:00

Callum Davidson gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Kris Commons. Kris Commons takes the direct free kick. Georgios Samaras takes a shot. Save by Alan Mannus.
76:41

The assist for the goal came from Frazer Wright.
76:41 Goal scored

Goal – Nigel Hasselbaink – Celtic 1 – 1 St J'stone A goal is scored by Nigel Hasselbaink from deep inside the penalty area to the bottom left corner of the goal. Celtic 1-1 St Johnstone.
76:34

Chris Millar decides to take the corner short.
76:02

Nigel Hasselbaink takes a shot. Save by Fraser Forster. Corner taken by Chris Millar.
74:57

Corner from left by-line taken by Chris Millar.
72:52

Free kick awarded for a foul by Chris Millar on Kris Commons. Kris Commons restarts play with the free kick.
70:52 Substitution

Substitution Gregory Tade comes on in place of David Robertson.
69:49 Substitution

Substitution Beram Kayal joins the action as a substitute, replacing Joe Ledley.
66:48

Outswinging corner taken left-footed by Kris Commons from the left by-line, Effort from close in by Charlie Mulgrew goes wide left of the target.
53:34

Inswinging corner taken by Liam Craig.
53:34 Booking

Booking The referee shows Murray Davidson a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.
50:09

Assist by Charlie Mulgrew.
50:09 Goal scored

Goal – Tony Watt – Celtic 1 – 0 St J'stone Tony Watt gets on the score sheet with a goal from inside the six-yard box to the bottom right corner of the goal. Celtic 1-0 St Johnstone.
48:01

Unfair challenge on David Robertson by Kelvin Wilson results in a free kick. Chris Millar restarts play with the free kick.
45:01

The referee gets the second half started.
45:01 Substitution

Substitution Nicolas Fedor Miku goes off and Tony Watt comes on.
45:00 +2:10 Half time

Half Time The referee blows for half time.
45:00 +0:28

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Victor Wanyama by David MacKay. Direct free kick taken by Victor Wanyama.
43:36

Chris Millar is ruled offside. Adam Matthews takes the free kick.
43:03

Unfair challenge on Liam Craig by Adam Matthews results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Alan Mannus.
41:09

Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Liam Craig from the right by-line, clearance made by Georgios Samaras.
40:24

Liam Craig takes a inswinging corner.
39:10

Charlie Mulgrew takes the outswinging corner, Headed effort from deep inside the area by Victor Wanyama misses to the left of the goal.
38:01

Unfair challenge on Efe Ambrose by Chris Millar results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Efe Ambrose.
36:17

Chris Millar gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Kris Commons. Free kick taken by Charlie Mulgrew.
33:38

Effort on goal by Kris Commons from just outside the penalty area goes harmlessly over the target.
31:49

Header from deep inside the area by Joe Ledley goes over the bar.
30:04

Kris Commons takes the inswinging corner, clearance made by Frazer Wright.
5:34

Corner taken by David McCracken.
5:34 Substitution

Substitution Gary Miller is brought on as a substitute for David McCracken.
26:45

A cross is delivered by Adam Matthews, Alan Mannus makes a save.
25:49

Victor Wanyama takes a shot. Save by Alan Mannus.
25:03

Victor Wanyama takes a shot.
24:05

David MacKay challenges Nicolas Fedor Miku unfairly and gives away a free kick. The free kick is swung in left-footed by Charlie Mulgrew, Frazer Wright makes a clearance.
23:07

Unfair challenge on Frazer Wright by Victor Wanyama results in a free kick. Alan Mannus restarts play with the free kick.
22:26

The ball is delivered by Scott Brown.
20:36

Free kick awarded for a foul by Frazer Wright on Georgios Samaras. Free kick crossed left-footed by Kris Commons, Alan Mannus makes a save.
18:10

Unfair challenge on Scott Brown by Frazer Wright results in a free kick. Charlie Mulgrew produces a shot on goal direct from the free kick, Alan Mannus makes a save.
15:38

Frazer Wright fouled by Georgios Samaras, the ref awards a free kick. Frazer Wright takes the direct free kick.
14:44

The ball is delivered by Charlie Mulgrew.
11:55

The ball is delivered by Steven MacLean, save by Fraser Forster.
11:12

The ball is crossed by Charlie Mulgrew, clearance by Frazer Wright.
9:06

Efe Ambrose gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Steven MacLean. Callum Davidson restarts play with the free kick.
8:00

Corner taken by Adam Matthews.
7:28

Scott Brown concedes a free kick for a foul on Chris Millar. Frazer Wright restarts play with the free kick.
5:34

Inswinging corner taken by David McCracken from the left by-line.
5:34 Substitution

Substitution Gary Miller on for Liam Craig.
3:46

Liam Craig takes the inswinging corner, clearance made by Georgios Samaras.
3:03

Adam Matthews produces a cross, save made by Alan Mannus.
0:00

The ref blows the whistle to begin the match.

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