2013-02-19: St Johnstone 1-1 Celtic, SPL

Match Pictures | Matches: 2012 – 2013 | 2012-13 Pictures

Trivia

• Celtic top the league now by 19pts as second placed Motherwell lost so we extend lead, but note M'well have game in hand.
• Incredibly, we have NOT beaten St Johnstone in the league this season, congrats to St J. Shows that a bit of effort and giving it a go at Celtic can and does pay off.
• Match shown on delayed BBC Alba TV station in Gaelic. Why is it there coverage is so much better? No Pat Nevin, Burley or any Hun analysts… It's bliss. Can't make out the commentary (as it's in Gaelic but it's still great).
• Two goals by St Johnstone ruled offside. Second one looked fine as well. So unfortunate for St Johnstone, and they deserved their goal which was a good one. They played well.
• Rumours in papers of Kevin Wilson possibly to be called up to England squad. Three different papers linking Efe Ambrose to three EPL clubs.
• Celtic fans under intense investigation it seems. Ramifications from last weekend when Green Brigade were allegedly stopped from taking in a zombie banner and then there were numerous searches on fans.
• This led to the Green Brigade boycotting the game. Celtic had to release a serious and genuinely helpful statement over situation and stated that the Club is escalating issues, as it is affecting the general rights of the fans.
• The FoCUS Police Intelligence Officer assigned to Celtic was removed from his duties. Allegedly, some various serious offensive remarks by him on his Facebook against Celtic fans. Termed policing Celtic fans as pest-control.
• Situation is very serious with innocent fans being allegedly targeted by police due to poor new football law bill passed in previous year, a bill unsupported by Celtic, Celtic supporters and supporters of all other clubs.

Review

(tinytim81 of KDS forum)
First thought, very surprised that Stokes didn't start tonight. Thought he more than earned it after Saturday. Don't think the game would have been in any doubt if he had played the 90 minutes. Bad decision IMO.

First half, horsed them. Should have been three or four nil up. Second half St Johnstone more than deserved their point. Two disallowed goals (hard to tell from the camera angle but both looked okay to me). Maybe a penalty claim as well for the tug from Wilson. On that note I thought Wilson was very lucky to stay on the park after he swung the leg out just after the equaliser.

One thing I don't get is why the current Celtic side never seem to respond well after a team get their act together. St Johnstone fought back in a big way in the second half. Celtic didn't rise to meet the challenge. It's a common occurrence with this side. The league cup semi final for example.

Poor result considering the game should have been over by half time. I hope the team learn from their mistakes in the second half. They are still very young but come this summer they'll be two time league champions, Scottish cup winners (maybe twice over) and contenders from the last sixteen. At some point they've got to mature and get over daft spells like that second half.

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Stats

St Johnstone Celtic
Possession
58% 42%
90mins

Shots
6 12

On target
3 8

Corners
2 8

Fouls
17 10

Articles

St Johnstone 1-1 Celtic: Celtic title march stalls

The Scotsman

By STEPHEN HALLIDAY
Published on Tuesday 19 February 2013 22:08

CELTIC may be romping their way to an inevitable title triumph but they will be relieved they do not have to play St Johnstone every week.

Scorers: Celtic – Ambrose (37); St Johnstone – Hasselbaink (82)

Referee: E Norris

Attendance: 5,352

Neil Lennon’s men increased their lead at the top of the table to 19 points with this share of the spoils in Perth and remain on course to become the first team to clinch the SPL crown in March. But remarkably, they have now failed to defeat St Johnstone in three attempts in the league this season, dropping seven points against Steve Lomas’ side. Celtic should have had all three points wrapped up in a first half when Efe Amrbrose’s goal was scant reward for their dominance. But Saints were rewarded for a more purposeful second half display when substitute Nigel Hasselbaink netted a spectacular late equaliser.

The urgency of Celtic’s bid to cross the finishing line as quickly as possible in the title race was immediately apparent, the home team pinned into their own half by a vibrant start from Lennon’s men. The Celtic manager, never afraid to tinker with the set-up of his side, deployed a flexible 3-4-3 formation which saw Adam Matthews and Emilio Izaguirre in the role of wide midfielders. With Kris Commons given the roving position in a front three alongside Gary Hooper and Lassad Nouioui, the champions simply swarmed all over St Johnstone in the opening exchanges.

But for Saints goalkeeper Alan Mannus, the match might have been over as a contest in double quick time. He made his first notable save of the night with little more than 60 seconds on the clock, coming off his line smartly to deny Hooper who had been sent clear by Commons. There was another glorious opportunity for Hooper just three minutes later, Celtic’s leading scorer this time picked out by Charlie Mulgrew’s fine pass, but he was uncharacteristically lacking in conviction with a shot which Mannus blocked with his feet.

Lassad was handed a rare starting appearance in place of Anthony Stokes, who was considered ready only for a place among the substitutes after missing training because of a bereavement. The Tunisian forward should have opened Celtic’s account in the sixth minute, wastefully heading an Izaguirre cross wide from close range.

St Johnstone struggled to get over the halfway line as lone striker Steven MacLean tried to make the best of a thankless task. But he had a rare sight of goal in the 15th minute in a counter attack, only to be halted by Mulgrew’s recovery tackle.

An error by Ambrose, dwelling on the ball on the edge of his own penalty area, handed St Johnstone another opportunity but recent signing Mehdi Abeid drove his low shot just wide of Fraser Forster’s left hand post. That scare seemed to re-energise Celtic who proceeded to build the momentum which would finally lead to their breakthrough. Not before Mannus had defied them twice more, first keeping out a low shot from Joe Ledley and then blocking another effort from Lassad after some delightful build up play down the left from Hooper and Ledley.

St Johnstone’s resistance was finally broken eight minutes before the interval when they lost their concentration at a Celtic corner kick. Commons played the set piece short to Izaguirre whose whipped cross caught out the Saints defenders. Ambrose rose to power a close range header beyond the helpless Mannus. The Nigerian defender indulged himself in another extravagant cartwheel celebration, before running to the sideline to embrace Lennon. Seven days after his wretched night in the Champions League against Juventus, Ambrose was firmly back in his manager’s good books. There was clearly a need for St Johnstone to show greater ambition if they hoped to alter the momentum of the match and force their way back in contention. It was no surprise that manager Lomas made a change at the start of the second half. Midfielder Michael Doughty, who had been compromised by an early booking, was replaced by striker Gregory Tade.

The switch to two strikers certainly gave Saints more options in possession and Tade’s strike partner MacLean thought he had equalised in the 55th minute when he headed home an Abeid free-kick from close range. But a linesman’s flag for offside cut short MacLean’s celebrations.

There was another moment of alarm for the Celtic defence five minutes later, Liam Craig causing confusion with a cross from the left and Forster initially fumbling the ball in his six yard box before clutching it safely.

Celtic were unable to set the kind of tempo they had in the first half and Lennon replaced Commons with James Forrest in an attempt to reinvigorate his team. But it was St Johnstone who threatened again next, having another effort disallowed for offside when Frazer Wright headed in Liam Craig’s free-kick from six yards. The Saints defender furiously disputed the verdict. Mulgrew saw an effort deflected just wide as Celtic attempted to reassert their authority but Saints were growing in belief and wasted a good chance to equalise when Craig shanked a shot off target after being picked out by Nigel Hasselbaink.

Celtic had failed to heed the warning signs and St Johnstone’s 82nd minute leveller did not come as a great surprise. Hasselbaink, who had been full of enterprise and running since replacing Rowan Vine, collected a pass from Abeid and turned away from Celtic sub Thomas Rogne before curling a tremendous shot beyond Forster’s reach from around 20 yards.

St Johnstone: PMannus, Anderson, Wright, McCracken, Scobbie; Craig, Doughty (Tade 46), Cregg, Abeid, Vine (Hasselbaink 65); MacLean (Edwards 77). Subs not used: Tuffey, C.Davidson, Caddis, Rodger..

Celtic: Forster, Ambrose, Wilson, Mulgrew; Matthews (Rogne 72), Wanyama, Ledley, Izaguirre; Commons (Forrest 66), Hooper, Lassad (Stokes 85). Subs not used: Zaluska, Rogic, Kayal, McCourt.

BBC

St Johnstone 1-1 Celtic
By Kenny Crawford BBC Sport Scotland

Nigel Hasselbaink's equaliser ensured St Johnstone remain unbeaten in the league against Celtic in 2012/13.

Saints keeper Alan Mannus twice denied Gary Hooper early on before Mehdi Abeid hit the side-netting for the hosts.

Celtic took the lead before half-time when Efe Ambrose headed in Emilio Izaguirre's cross from the left.

Both Steven MacLean and Frazer Wright had headed goals ruled offside for the Perth side before Hasselbaink curled beyond Fraser Forster late on.

Celtic were still looking for their first Scottish Premier League win over St Johnstone this season, having lost at McDiarmid Park in September and drawn in Glasgow at the end of October.
Play media

And within the opening five minutes Neil Lennon's men had a couple of great chances to get their noses in front.

Mannus saved two Hooper shots with his feet in close succession after the Englishman had been put through by Kris Commons and Charlie Mulgrew respectively.

Celtic's Lassad Nouioui glanced a header wide from Izaguirre's left-wing cross minutes later, underlining the visitors' early dominance.

St Johnstone's first serious threat up-field came on 15 minutes when Michael Doughty clipped a clever ball through for striker MacLean to pursue, but Mulgrew was alert to clear for a corner.

Then on 27 minutes, a lax touch in the box from Ambrose presented Abeid with an opportunity he was not expecting, and perhaps that showed as the Frenchman could only hit the side-netting with his shot from 12 yards.

Celtic immediately went up the park and and Victor Wanyama's precise through ball released Joe Ledley on the left-hand-side of the box and his low left-footed effort was again kept out by Mannus.

Ledley turned provider on 34 minutes, cutting back for Lassad who saw his first-time side-footed shot from six yards cleared by St Johnstone captain Wright.
Efe Ambrose

However, Celtic's pressure finally paid off three minutes later.

A short corner from Commons found Izaguirre on the left, who swung in a cross for Ambrose to head into Mannus's far corner and register his second goal in two games.

Saints' boss Steve Lomas introduced forward Gregory Tade in place of Doughty as they sought a more attacking approach in the second half.

And the Perth side did have the ball in the back of the net on 55 minutes, although MacLean's header from Abeid's free-kick was ruled offside.

On the hour-mark Saints sniffed around the Celtic goal-mouth again.
Play media

A long ball was headed down at the back post by Wright for Tade to try to finish off from close-range, but Fraser Forster eventually gathered after fumbling initially.

Then, with the visitors looking increasingly uncomfortable with St Johnstone's renewed energies, another goal was disallowed for the hosts.

The linesman's flag was raised again as Wright's looping header from Craig's free-kick hit the net, even though the defender appeared to be onside.

But in the 82nd minute St Johnstone did get their equaliser.

Abeid fed substitute Hasselbaink on the edge of the box and the Dutchman turned Celtic defender Thomas Rogne before finishing with a delightful curling shot into Forster's far corner.

The visitors reacted immediately as James Forrest's shot flashed wide, then Mannus had to save excellently from Mulgrew's effort which deflected off the head of Craig.

St Johnstone held on to secure the point, though, moving up to fifth place in the SPL.

Live Text Commentary
90:00 +3:07 Full time

Full Time The game is over, as the referee blows his whistle.
90:00 +1:53

The ball is crossed by Gregory Tade, clearance by Emilio Izaguirre. Corner taken left-footed by Liam Craig, David McCracken has a headed effort at goal from close in which goes wide left of the goal.
90:00 +1:21

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Frazer Wright by Anthony Stokes. Direct free kick taken by David McCracken.
90:00 +0:34

The ball is swung over by Emilio Izaguirre, Steven Anderson manages to make a clearance.
90:00 +0:17

Nigel Hasselbaink concedes a free kick for a foul on Efe Ambrose. Efe Ambrose restarts play with the free kick.
89:51

Foul by Gregory Tade on Thomas Rogne, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Victor Wanyama.
88:25

Emilio Izaguirre produces a cross, Mehdi Abeid manages to make a clearance.
86:33

Emilio Izaguirre sends in a cross, blocked by Patrick Cregg. Corner taken left-footed by Charlie Mulgrew, Efe Ambrose gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on David McCracken. Alan Mannus restarts play with the free kick.
85:51

Patrick Cregg takes a shot. Save by Fraser Forster.
85:00 Substitution

Substitution Lassad Nouioui leaves the field to be replaced by Anthony Stokes.
83:31

Effort from the edge of the penalty area by James Forrest goes wide of the left-hand post.
82:47

Emilio Izaguirre takes the direct free kick.
82:47 Booking

Booking Kelvin Wilson receives a yellow card.
82:41 Booking

Booking Patrick Cregg booked.
82:34

Patrick Cregg challenges Kelvin Wilson unfairly and gives away a free kick.
81:16

Assist by Patrick Cregg.
81:16 Goal scored

Goal – Nigel Hasselbaink – St J'stone 1 – 1 Celtic Nigel Hasselbaink gets on the score sheet with a goal from just outside the penalty box to the top right corner of the goal. St Johnstone 1-1 Celtic.
79:21

Corner taken left-footed by Charlie Mulgrew from the right by-line to the near post, clearance made by Frazer Wright.
77:08 Substitution

Substitution Steven MacLean leaves the field to be replaced by Gwion Edwards.
76:35

Foul by Joe Ledley on Mehdi Abeid, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Liam Craig.
75:21

Free kick awarded for a foul by Steven Anderson on Charlie Mulgrew. The free kick is delivered left-footed by Charlie Mulgrew from left wing, clearance made by Steven Anderson.
73:09

The ball is delivered by Charlie Mulgrew, blocked by Mehdi Abeid. Corner taken by Charlie Mulgrew played to the near post, Frazer Wright manages to make a clearance.
71:54 Substitution

Substitution Thomas Rogne is brought on as a substitute for Adam Matthews.
70:54

The ball is delivered by Emilio Izaguirre, Steven Anderson gets a block in. Corner from the left by-line taken by Charlie Mulgrew, Frazer Wright makes a clearance.
69:17

Gregory Tade concedes a free kick for a foul on Charlie Mulgrew. Charlie Mulgrew takes the free kick.
66:48

Emilio Izaguirre challenges Mehdi Abeid unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick crossed by Liam Craig. Frazer Wright is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Fraser Forster restarts play with the free kick.
66:33

Centre by Thomas Scobbie, clearance made by Charlie Mulgrew.
64:58 Substitution

Substitution James Forrest replaces Kris Commons.
64:58 Substitution

Substitution Nigel Hasselbaink comes on in place of Rowan Vine.
63:57

Shot from just outside the area by Rowan Vine misses to the right of the target.
63:24

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Charlie Mulgrew by Steven MacLean. Charlie Mulgrew takes the direct free kick.
62:38

Foul by Patrick Cregg on Victor Wanyama, free kick awarded. Charlie Mulgrew takes the free kick. Kris Commons is caught offside. Free kick taken by Alan Mannus.
62:15

The ball is sent over by Adam Matthews, clearance by Steven Anderson.
60:38

The ball is sent over by Liam Craig, Frazer Wright takes a shot. Save made by Fraser Forster.
60:00

Victor Wanyama takes a shot. Alan Mannus makes a save.
59:26

Corner taken by Kris Commons from the right by-line to the near post, save by Alan Mannus.
54:17

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Steven MacLean by Efe Ambrose. Mehdi Abeid takes the free kick. The assistant referee signals for offside against Steven MacLean. Fraser Forster restarts play with the free kick.
53:47

The official flags Gary Hooper offside. Alan Mannus takes the free kick.
53:12

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Kelvin Wilson by Steven MacLean. Direct free kick taken by Fraser Forster.
51:52

Rowan Vine fouled by Joe Ledley, the ref awards a free kick. Rowan Vine takes the direct free kick.
50:27

Free kick awarded for a foul by Rowan Vine on Victor Wanyama. Efe Ambrose restarts play with the free kick.
48:44

Emilio Izaguirre produces a cross, save by Alan Mannus.
48:05

Patrick Cregg challenges Joe Ledley unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Kris Commons.
47:46

Victor Wanyama produces a cross, clearance made by David McCracken.
45:01

The referee blows his whistle to start the second half.
45:01 Substitution

Substitution Gregory Tade is brought on as a substitute for Michael Doughty.
45:00 +0:05 Half time

Half Time It is the end of the first-half.
43:38

Joe Ledley takes a shot from a long way out which goes wide of the right-hand upright.
41:55

A cross is delivered by Emilio Izaguirre, Victor Wanyama takes a shot. Save by Alan Mannus.
40:08

Kris Commons decides to take a short corner, Kelvin Wilson challenges David McCracken unfairly and gives away a free kick. Alan Mannus takes the free kick.
39:47

The ball is delivered by Emilio Izaguirre, clearance by Thomas Scobbie.
38:06

Charlie Mulgrew restarts play with the free kick.
38:06 Booking

Booking The referee shows Steven MacLean a yellow card.
38:02

Joe Ledley fouled by Steven MacLean, the ref awards a free kick.
36:55

Assist on the goal came from Emilio Izaguirre.
36:55 Goal scored

Goal – Efe Ambrose – St J'stone 0 – 1 Celtic Efe Ambrose grabs a headed goal from inside the area. St Johnstone 0-1 Celtic.
36:27

The ball is delivered by Emilio Izaguirre,
34:27

Gary Hooper produces a cross, clearance by David McCracken.
33:33

Lassad Nouioui takes a shot. Save by Alan Mannus.
32:20

The ball is sent over by Adam Matthews.
29:55

The ball is sent over by Adam Matthews, Alan Mannus makes a save.
29:05

Joe Ledley produces a cross.
27:28

Joe Ledley takes a shot. Save by Alan Mannus.
26:46

Mehdi Abeid has an effort at goal from just inside the box that misses to the right of the goal.
24:58

Shot by Joe Ledley from outside the box goes over the net.
23:47

Effort on goal by Lassad Nouioui from 12 yards. Alan Mannus makes a save.
19:39

The ball is swung over by Kris Commons.
18:20

Kris Commons restarts play with the free kick.
18:20 Booking

Booking Michael Doughty shown a yellow card.
18:10

Free kick awarded for a foul by Michael Doughty on Emilio Izaguirre.
17:16

Steven MacLean concedes a free kick for a foul on Kelvin Wilson. Fraser Forster takes the free kick.
15:45

Emilio Izaguirre gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Steven Anderson. The free kick is swung in left-footed by Liam Craig, save by Fraser Forster.
14:53

Inswinging corner taken by Mehdi Abeid, clearance by Kelvin Wilson.
14:16

Kris Commons is ruled offside. Alan Mannus takes the free kick.
13:44

Free kick awarded for a foul by Mehdi Abeid on Victor Wanyama. Victor Wanyama restarts play with the free kick.
12:52

Short corner taken by Kris Commons.
12:27

Unfair challenge on Joe Ledley by Liam Craig results in a free kick. Joe Ledley takes the free kick.
10:59

Rowan Vine concedes a free kick for a foul on Adam Matthews. Kelvin Wilson takes the free kick.
7:56

Emilio Izaguirre crosses the ball, David McCracken manages to make a clearance.
7:05

Kris Commons fouled by Steven Anderson, the ref awards a free kick. Joe Ledley restarts play with the free kick.
5:59

Headed effort from inside the area by Lassad Nouioui misses to the right of the goal.
4:37

The offside flag is raised against Adam Matthews. Alan Mannus restarts play with the free kick.
3:17

Gary Hooper takes a shot. Save by Alan Mannus.
2:37

Free kick awarded for a foul by Gary Hooper on Thomas Scobbie. Free kick taken by Mehdi Abeid.
1:58

Unfair challenge on Steven MacLean by Victor Wanyama results in a free kick. David McCracken restarts play with the free kick.
1:25

Gary Hooper takes a shot. Save made by Alan Mannus.
0:00

The game kicks-off.

Live text and data provided by The Press Association

Dr Stuart Waiton: Politicians and cops treat football fans like vermin

The Sun
THE Scottish Sun yesterday revealed that a cop assigned to monitor Celtic fans had apparently bragged on Facebook that he works at “Fume-a-Pest & Termite Control”.

The jibe sparked fury while the officer — 37-year-old PC Tommy McCrindle — has been hauled off front-line duties with Hoops supporters and faces an internal probe.

But here, academic DR STUART WAITON claims we should not have been shocked at the pest-control slur — as footy fans are viewed as scum by the Government and police.

SADLY, I was not surprised to hear the claims that a specialist football officer had referred to fans as vermin.

The view that fans are the scum of the earth seems to be widespread in the police and Scottish Government.

This contempt has been encouraged by the new Offensive Behaviour at Football Act — which specifically targets and tarnishes supporters.

Frankly, supporters are seen as vermin by those in the corridors of power.

It reminds me of the 1970s and ’80s, when there were higher levels of racism than today among the political ruling elite. It was no surprise back then that cops reflected their paymasters in how they treated black people.

Likewise, today, it is no shock that police think this way about football fans — particularly the Old Firm, who are the obvious target of the new laws.

People like First Minister Alex Salmond and Community Safety Minister Roseanna Cunningham have gone on and on about how their new laws tackle hate and prejudice in society.

But the people who are hated most by this elite are football fans. And the biggest prejudices are held by those people wittering on about tolerance. The dark days of hooliganism are over. The police now have little violence to contend with.

However, cops have a new toy in the form of the offensive behaviour at football laws. The draconian legislation makes just about anything fans say an arrestable offence.

Fans have complained they are being harassed by police, banned from games for no reason and arrested in their workplaces on trumped-up charges.

They are being intimidated in a way that would be seen as unacceptable if carried out against any other section of society.

All this adds up to the terrifying state of affairs.

These new laws are stifling free speech and leaving innocent fans vulnerable to over-the-top policing.

The sooner this crazy act is repealed, the better.

•Stuart Waiton, from Abertay University in Dundee, is the author of Snobs’ Law: Criminalising Football Fans in an Age of Intolerance.