2014-08-13: St Johnstone 0-3 Celtic, SP

Match Pictures | Matches: 2014 – 2015 | 2014-15 Pictures

Trivia

• First league game of the new season.
• First game is played away and not at home, as Glasgow grounds are off limits due to Glasgow's hosting of the Commonwealth Games in August.
• Game being played midweek
• Berget debut for Celtic.
• Hibs relegated after defeat in playoffs. So for the first time in Scottish football history, there will be no senior side in the top tier from Edinburgh.
• Safe standing proposal rejected by authorities.
• Rumours that Griffiths has been punted or at least loaned out to Hibs.
• Transfer Window open:
• Fraser Forster sold to Southampton for £10m estimate.
• Transfers in: Craig Gordon; Jo Inge Berget (loan)
• Transfers out: Mouyokolo (free); Tony Watt, Fraser Forster (£10m)

Review

Ron Deila – "The first 20 min in first half was ok but the last 25 wasn’t the way I want to see my team."

(George McClusky of KDS forum)

Just finished it, and I've got to say I have little sympathy for St Johnstone. They can possibly feel aggrieved about the two incidents involving Mackay, but those apart they offered little real resistance. And there's the rub, because this ended up being one of those league wins that help make a championship but give you little in the way of real insight about where we are. We certainly deserved the points more than the hosts. I just wish a side that's got the Cup and managed to advance a round in the EL could have pushed us more.

I thought Forrest looked bright in the first half before fading, but with Stokes and Commons in such dismal form, it came to nothing. Just shook my head in bemused amusement when Stokesy scored. Lustig and Van Dijk is a pairing I'd like to see more of–maybe move Ambrose around a bit to see what happens. Lustig just strikes me as a more prudent decision-maker. No problems with Matthews and Izaguirre out wide that I could see. Biton should continue as a first-choice, but Johansen has got to make more of an impression on games or it's the bench. McGregor did more than enough to keep his place, even if it was another fuggly goal. Berget showed some pace (at least relative to Scottish defenders) and of course the effort is there. Finally, a nice debut for Gordon–made the one save he had to, caught a cross when he had to, and kicked for crap. No change there, then, which is fine.

I guess Tommy Wright will think the game turned on the two penalty incidents. I actually thought Mackay's claim was slightly stronger, but I wouldn't have given either of them. Boerrigter's tumble left me feeling squeamish; the replays didn't help with that. Lovely ball in from Izaguirre, though, but Bo has got to be shooting early.

Hey, we've seen worse starts to league campaigns. I expect Saturday to prove more difficult, and hopefully a little more illuminating.

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Stats

St Johnstone Celtic

Possession
54%46%
90mins

Shots
6 16

On target
1 8

Corners
3 6

Fouls
12 14

Articles

St Johnstone 0 Celtic 3: match report

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/celtic/11032685/St-Johnstone-0-Celtic-3-match-report.html

Celtic at McDiarmid Park on Wednesday, Aug 13, 2014
Saints-Celtic
In charge: Anthony Stokes beats St Johnstone keeper Alan Mannus to claim Celtic's first goal on Wednesday night Photo: ACTION IMAGES

By Ronnie Esplin

11:52PM BST 13 Aug 2014

CommentsComments

Celtic began the defence of their Scottish Premiership title with a 3-0 win over St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park but not without some help and some controversy.

After a dismal and goalless first-half, a horror mistake by Saints defender Steven Anderson when he allowed himself to be dispossessed by Kris Commons allowed Anthony Stokes to fire the visitors ahead.

To the anger of the Saints players and fans, skipper Dave Mackay was shown a straight red card in the 75th minute by referee John Beaton for a foul on Celtic substitute Derk Boerrigeter inside the box, with Nir Biton converting from the spot-kick as the Perth claims of a dive by the Dutchman continued.

Hoops midfielder Callum McGregor added a third in the 85th minute with a low drive which keeper Alan Mannus should have saved to compound a miserable night for the Scottish Cup winners, while the visitors, not at their best, will be pleased with the win that looked far from certain for much of the match.

Former Hearts and Sunderland keeper Craig Gordon, signed on a free during the summer, was nominated by Hoops boss Ronny Deila as number one following the departure of Fraser Forster to Southampton.
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Saints made little early impact but in the 21st minute Gordon, playing his first competitive game in more than two seasons, made his first save, parrying a strike from Steven MacLean. A drive from Lee Croft was deflected for a corner by Hoops defender Virgil van Dijk but the McDiarmid Park side could not capitalise on the brief spell of pressure.

However, all that positive work was undone in one moment of madness by Anderson. The Saints stopper took too long on the ball 35 yards from goal, allowing Commons to put in a tackle, with the loose ball breaking to Stokes who rounded Mannus before slipping the ball in from an acute angle.

There was a shout for a St Johnstone penalty when Mackay went down in the box after a challenge by Van Dijk. Soon afterwards Mackay fouled Boerrigter and Biton converted the penalty. There was time for McGregor to drive through the legs of Mannus, who looked in horror as the ball trickled over the line. The Northern Irishman made a good save from the Hoops player moments later but by that time the points were Parkhead bound.

Meanwhile, Celtic have demanded answers after failing to secure approval for safe standing at their stadium yesterday. The “extremely disappointed and concerned” club are seeking clarification over who makes the decision after being told different things by local and Scottish governments. A statement read: “Surprisingly, we have also today been informed by the Safety Advisory Group, chaired by Glasgow City Council, that this may be a matter for the Scottish Government, and yet we have previously been told by the Scottish Government that this is a decision which must be taken locally at council level.”

Match details

St Johnstone (4-5-1): Mannus; Mackay, Anderson, Scobbie, B Easton; Croft, Millar, McDonald (Miller 78), Caddis (Wotherspoon h-t), O’Halloran (Morgan 60); MacLean.
Subs: Wright, Banks (g), Brown, Kane.
Booked: Mackay, Wotherspoon.
Sent off: Mackay.

Celtic (4-4-2): Gordon; Matthews, Lustig, Van Dijk, Izaguirre; Forrest (Boerrigter 58), Biton, Commons (Berget 66), McGregor; Stokes (Kayal 73), Johansen.
Subs: Denayer, Ambrose, Pukki, Zaluska (g).
Booked: Johansen.

Goals: Stokes 55, Biton 76 pen, McGregor 84.

Attendance: 6,890

Referee: J Beaton.

BBC
By Cheri Burns BBC Scotland

Celtic got their Scottish Premiership defence off to a winning start with a hard-fought victory over St Johnstone.

Anthony Stokes opened the scoring with an easy finish after a defensive error by Steven Anderson.

A penalty from Nir Biton and strike by Callum McGregor were enough to ensure they took all three points.

Saints felt aggrieved when Dave Mackay was not awarded a penalty, with the skipper later sent off in the incident that led to Biton's spot-kick.

Mackay went down after a challenge by Virgil van Dijk in the box when the score was 1-0.

And, later, the right-back was dismissed for fouling Derk Boerrigter, though replays suggested there had been little contact.

The result means Ronny Deila's side look to Saturday's visit of Dundee United with renewed vigour as they aim to stamp their authority on the league early on.

After a far from ideal introduction to his new club, courtesy of the ongoing controversy surrounding their Champions League tie against Legia Warsaw and the below-par performances that proceeded the off-the-field drama, the man in the visiting dugout needed nothing less than a victory in his first domestic outing.

With players including Fraser Forster having exited during the summer, the onus was on this crop – which included the England international's replacement, Craig Gordon – to produce the type of performance that would instil confidence in the new regime.

They started brightly, with Emilio Izaguirre and Kris Commons – making his 100th appearance – looking lively.

And could have taken the lead when neat play from Commons allowed James Forrest to find space, but he could only drag his shot wide.

The Perth men – who took to the pitch on the back of an opening day win against Ross County – were largely penned in during the first exchanges and, despite the best efforts of Michael O'Halloran, struggled to make an impression.
Dave Mackay shown straight red by John Beaton

That was until, against the run of play, they came close when Steven MacLean hammered in a shot from the edge of the box that stung the palms of Gordon.

Stokes had Celtic's best effort of the first half when his free-kick just nicked wide.

Into the second 45, and O'Halloran fired an effort that cannoned off team-mate MacLean and went inches past Gordon's right-hand post.

Having kept their opponents at bay for so long, St Johnstone were their own undoing when Anderson dwelt on the ball and Commons was able to slide in to send Stokes through.

The striker then rounded Mannus and rolled the ball into the net.

Saints did not let their heads go down, and Mackay ventured into the Celtic area only to be closed down by Van Dijk, with the home fans left upset when John Beaton allowed play to go on after what they saw as a foul.

And Mackay's night went from bad to worse when he was adjudged to have tripped substitute Derk Boerrigter and was promptly dismissed.

Biton confidently struck from 12 yards to convert the resulting penalty and double the visitors' lead.

Dutchman Boerrigter, who had earlier threatened with a venomous free-kick – which had looked destined for the target but for a solid Mannus save – troubled St Johnstone with his pace throughout and the stretched home backline lost a third late on.

Their agony was compounded as, after a good move, McGregor added to the tally with a fizzing shot that went under Mannus, who will feel he should have done better with it.

Live Text Commentary
Full time

Full Time Match ends, St. Johnstone 0, Celtic 3.
90:00 +1:03 Full time

Full Time Second Half ends, St. Johnstone 0, Celtic 3.
90:00 +0:48

Attempt saved. Virgil van Dijk (Celtic) header from very close range is saved in the top centre of the goal.
90:00 +0:25

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Steven Anderson.
89:27

Brian Easton (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
89:27

Foul by Jo Inge Berget (Celtic).
88:52

Attempt missed. Derk Boerrigter (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right.
87:49

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Alan Mannus.
87:32

Attempt saved. Callum McGregor (Celtic) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
87:04

Foul by Chris Millar (St. Johnstone).
87:04

Stefan Johansen (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
85:51

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Gary Miller.
83:58 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! St. Johnstone 0, Celtic 3. Callum McGregor (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Adam Matthews.
83:12

Attempt missed. Callum McGregor (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left.
80:19

Steven Anderson (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
80:19

Foul by Virgil van Dijk (Celtic).
79:42

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Brian Easton.
79:12

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Tam Scobbie.
77:33 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, St. Johnstone. Gary Miller replaces Gary McDonald.
77:03

Attempt missed. Jo Inge Berget (Celtic) header from the centre of the box is just a bit too high.
75:36 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! St. Johnstone 0, Celtic 2. Nir Biton (Celtic) converts the penalty with a left footed shot to the high centre of the goal.
74:34 Dismissal

Dismissal David Mackay (St. Johnstone) is shown the red card for a bad foul.
74:34

Penalty conceded by David Mackay (St. Johnstone) after a foul in the penalty area.
74:34

Penalty Celtic. Derk Boerrigter draws a foul in the penalty area.
72:42 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Celtic. Beram Kayal replaces Anthony Stokes.
72:17

Foul by Brian Easton (St. Johnstone).
72:17

Callum McGregor (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
70:52

Virgil van Dijk (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
70:50

Foul by David Wotherspoon (St. Johnstone).
69:10

Attempt saved. Derk Boerrigter (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
68:19 Booking

Booking David Wotherspoon (St. Johnstone) is shown the yellow card.
68:11

Foul by David Wotherspoon (St. Johnstone).
68:11

Jo Inge Berget (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
66:34

Foul by Steven Anderson (St. Johnstone).
66:34

Nir Biton (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
65:54 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Celtic. Jo Inge Berget replaces Kris Commons.
65:35

Gary McDonald (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
65:35

Foul by Stefan Johansen (Celtic).
65:19

Attempt saved. Callum McGregor (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
60:46

Attempt missed. Tam Scobbie (St. Johnstone) left footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the left following a set piece situation.
60:02

Lee Croft (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
60:02

Foul by Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic).
59:14 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, St. Johnstone. Adam Morgan replaces Michael O'Halloran.
57:56 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Celtic. Derk Boerrigter replaces James Forrest.
57:15

Attempt blocked. Virgil van Dijk (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
56:29 Booking

Booking David Mackay (St. Johnstone) is shown the yellow card.
56:24

Foul by David Mackay (St. Johnstone).
56:24

Kris Commons (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
54:55 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! St. Johnstone 0, Celtic 1. Anthony Stokes (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Kris Commons.
53:54

Steven Anderson (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
53:54

Foul by Anthony Stokes (Celtic).
52:40

Foul by Michael O'Halloran (St. Johnstone).
52:40

Kris Commons (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.
52:15

Corner, St. Johnstone. Conceded by Virgil van Dijk.
51:58

Attempt blocked. Lee Croft (St. Johnstone) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
50:55 Booking

Booking Stefan Johansen (Celtic) is shown the yellow card.
50:51

Tam Scobbie (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
50:51

Foul by Stefan Johansen (Celtic).
49:54

Attempt missed. Michael O'Halloran (St. Johnstone) right footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses to the left.
49:28

Attempt missed. Lee Croft (St. Johnstone) right footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the left.
48:41

David Mackay (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
48:41

Foul by Nir Biton (Celtic).
45:00

Second Half begins St. Johnstone 0, Celtic 0.
45:00 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, St. Johnstone. David Wotherspoon replaces Liam Caddis.
45:00 +0:05 Half time

Half Time First Half ends, St. Johnstone 0, Celtic 0.
43:24

Corner, St. Johnstone. Conceded by Mikael Lustig.
43:07

Steven MacLean (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
43:07

Foul by Mikael Lustig (Celtic).
41:02

Steven MacLean (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick on the right wing.
41:02

Foul by Virgil van Dijk (Celtic).
40:37

Michael O'Halloran (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
40:37

Foul by Nir Biton (Celtic).
39:25

Attempt missed. Kris Commons (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left.
39:03

Foul by Liam Caddis (St. Johnstone).
39:03

James Forrest (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
36:55

Attempt saved. Kris Commons (Celtic) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
33:47

Attempt missed. Anthony Stokes (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left from a direct free kick.
33:11

Foul by David Mackay (St. Johnstone).
33:11

Anthony Stokes (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
30:46

Attempt missed. Steven MacLean (St. Johnstone) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right.
26:49

Foul by David Mackay (St. Johnstone).
26:49

Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
26:06

Corner, St. Johnstone. Conceded by Nir Biton.
25:41

Brian Easton (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
25:41

Foul by Mikael Lustig (Celtic).
21:59

Attempt missed. Stefan Johansen (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the left.
20:12

Attempt saved. Steven MacLean (St. Johnstone) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
19:43

Gary McDonald (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
19:43

Foul by Nir Biton (Celtic).
19:00

Chris Millar (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
18:58

Foul by Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic).
18:36

Foul by Gary McDonald (St. Johnstone).
18:36

Virgil van Dijk (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
16:57

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Michael O'Halloran.
13:53

Attempt missed. James Forrest (Celtic) left footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses to the right.
6:19

Michael O'Halloran (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
6:19

Foul by Kris Commons (Celtic).
0:00

First Half begins.
0:00

Lineups are announced and players are warming up.

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