2015-08-29: Celtic 3-1 St Johnstone, SP

Match Pictures | Matches: 2015 – 2016 | 2015-16 Pictures

Trivia

• Celtic top the league after Hearts slip up and lose their first game of the season.
• First game back domestically after KO from Champions League. Celtic down to the Europa League.
• Celtic draw Ajax, Fernahbache, Molde (Norway)
• Various supporters going ape at the GB banner today ('Guttless in Malmo, Clueless in boardroom')
• Celtic announced the loan signing of Tyler Blackett from Manchester United… 36 minutes into this match. That's a new one.
• Internationals next week so no Celtic games.
• Last game before transfer window closes.
• Transfers in: Dedryk Boyata (Man City), Saidy Jonka (Man U free) ; Ciftci (Dundee Utd £1.5m), Scott Allan (Hibs £250k), Tyler Blackett (loan from Man U)
• Transfers out: Joe Chalmers (to Motherwell) ; Tonev (end loan); Guidetti (end loan); Wakaso (end loan); Zaluska (free); John Herron (free), Amido Balde (free) ; Fridjonsson (free to Reykjavik) ; Adam Matthews (£2m to Sunderland); Paul McMullan (loan to St Mirren), Michael Duffy (Alloa season long loan), Connor McManus (Alloa season long loan) ; Jackson Irvine (to Ross County); Liam Henderson (Hibs loan); Darnell Fisher (on loan to St Johnstone)

Review

(dubz of KDS forum)
3 points, top o the league.

Rogic was excellent, Gordon double save at the end was unbelievable. Janko looks a player, GMS honeymoon period long gone.

Izzy was his usual self, effective going forward but poor defensively and we are still utter pish at defending corners, wtf are we doing all week in training.

Teams

Articles

• Match Report (see end of page below)

Pictures

• Match Pictures

Forum

• Pre-match
• Match
• Post Match

MOTM

• Voting Thread
• Result Thread
• Winner –

Stats

Celtic St Johnstone
Possession
38%62%
90mins
Shots
23 6
On target
8 3
Corners
8 9
Fouls
16 9

Articles

Celtic 3-1 St Johnstone: Celtic come from behind to go top

Last Updated: 29/08/15 5:14pm

http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11787/9970934/celtic-3-1-st-johnstone-celtic-come-from-behind-to-go-top
Celtic returned to winning ways after their European misery in midweek with a low-key 3-1 win over St Johnstone to hoist them to the Scottish Premiership summit.

With Hearts' losing 3-2 at Hamilton, Ronny Deila led his side to the top and they're a point away from second-placed Aberdeen having played one more game.

Deila's men were looking to bounce back after their elimination from the Champions League by Swedish side Malmo in the final qualifying round on Tuesday.

Their 2-0 loss infuriated Celtic fans after they failed to make the groups last term too and they unfurled two banners reading 'Gutless in Malmo' and 'Clueless in Boardroom' before kick-off.

Deila made four changes and one of the players he introduced, Emilio Izaguirre, made an immediate impact by stinging Alan Mannus' hands from a tight angle before Nir Bitton's header was held.

But it was St Johnstone – 1-0 winners at Parkhead in March – who took the lead after 11 minutes to plunge Parkhead into silence.
Dejection for Celtic's Virgil Van Dijk (left) as the St Johnstone players celebrate their own-goal opener
Dejection for Celtic's Virgil Van Dijk (left) as the St Johnstone players celebrate their own-goal opener

Michael O'Halloran's cross wasn't dealt with properly and when it spun off home defender Dedryck Boyata, it bobbled past Craig Gordon and into the net.

Celtic took a few minutes to respond but when they did, Leigh Griffiths looped a header over Mannus only to see it cleared off the line.

The striker wouldn't be denied, however, and Griffiths made it 1-1 moments as he drove in with the help of a deflection after good work on the left by Izaguirre.

Both sides soon settled into the game and it became a very even contest but neither created much in front of goal.
Celtic forward Leigh Griffiths scores a quick equaliser against St Johnstone
Celtic forward Leigh Griffiths scores a quick equaliser against St Johnstone

Indeed, injuries were more common with both Murray Davidson and Izaguirre unable to continue after receiving treatment, twice in the midfielder's case.

Just when it seemed it would remain level at the break, Celtic went ahead with a goal out of nothing as Tom Rogic put them in front.

He did well to get away from a ruck of defenders to fire home from an acute angle to give the hosts a much-needed lift before the break.

Celtic began the second period positively but Mannus kept out Kris Commons and Rogic shot over then wide.
Celtic's Tom Rogic (left) puts his side ahead for the first time just before half-time
Celtic's Tom Rogic (left) puts his side ahead for the first time just before half-time

As they struggled to extend their lead, the hosts suffered a blow as they lost their captain Scott Brown to injury and after an extended spell of treatment, he was replaced by Charlie Mulgrew.

The substitute made a quick impact as he scored a third, nodding in after Virgil van Dijk headed back across goal after Commons' shot was saved.

Scott Allan – signed recently from Hibernian – came on in the closing stages to make his home debut and he scooped an effort over as the game fizzled out.

BBC
By Alasdair Lamont BBC Scotland

Celtic began the process of healing the wounds inflicted by Malmo with a professionally executed victory over St Johnstone.

The day threatened to go badly for Ronny Deila's team as they fell behind to an early Dedryck Boyata own goal.

But Leigh Griffiths soon had them level and Tom Rogic put them in front before the break.

Charlie Mulgrew replaced injured Celtic captain Scott Brown and wrapped up the points with the third goal.

The victory lifts the reigning champions a point above Hearts in the Scottish Premiership table after the Edinburgh side lost their 100% record with a defeat away to Hamilton Academical.

This was a test of Celtic's character, with the midweek Champions League exit fresh in the memory.

A supporters' banner pre-match read: "Gutless in Malmo, clueless in boardroom", so an air of dissatisfaction was certainly evident.

Questions had been raised about the strength of the team's mettle and that came into sharp focus as St Johnstone sent a shudder round the stadium with the opening goal.

Michael O'Halloran raced down the right and fired in a cross Emilio Izaguirre was unable to block.

Goalkeeper Craig Gordon allowed the ball to slip past him and off the unsuspecting Boyata before trundling into the net.
Celtic's Scott Brown writhes in pain

Celtic captain Scott Brown went off injured and will be a worry for Scotland

As Celtic passes again went astray, rumblings of discontent could be heard, but only until Griffiths got in on the act.

Moments after watching Tam Scobbie volley his header off the line, the striker fired a ferocious shot from the edge of the box that deflected off Scobbie and was too powerful for Alan Mannus to keep out.

The game was a good, even contest, but Celtic edged in front just before the break, with Rogic robbing Murray Davidson of possession on the goal-line and easily skipping past Dave Mackay before rifling past the goalkeeper.

Celtic lost captain Brown to injury midway through the second half – a concern for Scotland manager Gordon Strachan before next weekend's Euro 2016 qualifier – but his replacement Mulgrew extended Celtic's advantage.

Mannus saved superbly from an outstanding Kris Commons effort with the outside of his left foot, but from the resultant corner, Virgil van Dijk headed down and Mulgrew nodded over the line.

St Johnstone were always competitive but barely threatened Gordon's goal in the second half, save for a close-range shot off the top of the bar by substitute John Sutton.

However, in the closing moments, the keeper showed his brilliance, first pushing away a free kick from Liam Craig and then producing a phenomenal double-save from O'Halloran and Sutton to ensure no late concerns for the home support.

Live Text Commentary
Full time

Full Time Match ends, Celtic 3, St. Johnstone 1.
90:00 +4:09 Full time

Full Time Second Half ends, Celtic 3, St. Johnstone 1.
90:00 +3:48

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by David Mackay.
90:00 +3:26

Corner, St. Johnstone. Conceded by Craig Gordon.
90:00 +3:16

Attempt saved. Liam Craig (St. Johnstone) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
90:00 +2:57

Attempt saved. Michael O'Halloran (St. Johnstone) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
90:00 +2:29

Foul by Gary Mackay-Steven (Celtic).
90:00 +2:29

Michael O'Halloran (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90:00 +2:00

Corner, St. Johnstone. Conceded by Craig Gordon.
90:00 +1:47

Attempt saved. Liam Craig (St. Johnstone) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top left corner.
90:00 +1:02

Foul by Virgil van Dijk (Celtic).
90:00 +1:02

Christopher Kane (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90:00 +0:30

Attempt missed. Scott Allan (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right.
90:00 +0:15

Attempt missed. Scott Allan (Celtic) left footed shot from a difficult angle on the left is close, but misses to the left.
88:08

Foul by Callum McGregor (Celtic).
88:08

Christopher Kane (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick on the right wing.
86:39

Attempt blocked. Charlie Mulgrew (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
86:04 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Celtic. Callum McGregor replaces Nir Bitton.
85:38

Tomas Rogic (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
85:38

Foul by David Mackay (St. Johnstone).
80:11 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, St. Johnstone. Christopher Kane replaces Graham Cummins.
79:01

Attempt missed. Liam Craig (St. Johnstone) left footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high.
78:40

Foul by Dedryck Boyata (Celtic).
78:40

Graham Cummins (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
77:59

Attempt blocked. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) left footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked.
76:40 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Celtic. Scott Allan replaces Kris Commons.
76:04

Corner, St. Johnstone. Conceded by Virgil van Dijk.
74:38

Corner, St. Johnstone. Conceded by Kris Commons.
73:42

Corner, St. Johnstone. Conceded by Virgil van Dijk.
72:52

Corner, St. Johnstone. Conceded by Nir Bitton.
72:31

Corner, St. Johnstone. Conceded by Saidy Janko.
69:33

Foul by Nir Bitton (Celtic).
69:33

Chris Millar (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
67:36 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, St. Johnstone. John Sutton replaces Steven MacLean.
67:16

Attempt missed. Steven MacLean (St. Johnstone) right footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses to the left.
66:20 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Celtic 3, St. Johnstone 1. Charlie Mulgrew (Celtic) header from very close range to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Kris Commons with a cross following a corner.
66:10

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Alan Mannus.
65:59

Attempt saved. Kris Commons (Celtic) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the top right corner.
65:40

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Liam Craig.
65:29

Attempt blocked. Kris Commons (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
64:34

Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
64:34

Foul by Michael O'Halloran (St. Johnstone).
63:08

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Liam Craig.
62:55

Attempt blocked. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked.
59:53

Attempt missed. Tomas Rogic (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right.
58:54 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Celtic. Charlie Mulgrew replaces Scott Brown because of an injury.
58:12

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Tam Scobbie.
57:24

Attempt missed. Nir Bitton (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right.
56:42

Tomas Rogic (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
56:38

Foul by Chris Millar (St. Johnstone).
55:44

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Brian Easton.
54:41

Foul by Tomas Rogic (Celtic).
54:41

David Wotherspoon (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
51:52

Delay in match Scott Brown (Celtic) because of an injury.
49:26

Attempt missed. Tomas Rogic (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses the top left corner.
46:05

Attempt saved. Kris Commons (Celtic) left footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
45:00

Second Half begins Celtic 2, St. Johnstone 1.
45:00 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, St. Johnstone. Liam Craig replaces Murray Davidson.
45:00 +4:09 Half time

Half Time First Half ends, Celtic 2, St. Johnstone 1.
45:00 +4:00

Kris Commons (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
45:00 +3:58

Foul by Brian Easton (St. Johnstone).
45:00 +3:31

Attempt blocked. David Wotherspoon (St. Johnstone) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
45:00 +2:48

Foul by Saidy Janko (Celtic).
45:00 +2:48

Graham Cummins (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
45:00 +0:58

Corner, St. Johnstone. Conceded by Saidy Janko.
44:23 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Celtic 2, St. Johnstone 1. Tomas Rogic (Celtic) right footed shot from the left side of the six yard box to the bottom left corner.
41:48

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by David Mackay.
41:42

Attempt blocked. Kris Commons (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
39:10

Attempt missed. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) header from the right side of the six yard box is close, but misses to the right.
38:38

Delay over. They are ready to continue.
35:27

Corner, St. Johnstone. Conceded by Emilio Izaguirre.
34:26

Foul by Dedryck Boyata (Celtic).
34:26

Steven MacLean (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
33:56

Attempt missed. Nir Bitton (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses the top right corner.
32:39

Attempt missed. Scott Brown (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left.
32:26

Attempt blocked. Tomas Rogic (Celtic) right footed shot from long range on the left is blocked.
31:45

Foul by Nir Bitton (Celtic).
31:45

Joe Shaughnessy (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
29:54

Foul by Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic).
29:54

Michael O'Halloran (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick on the right wing.
29:41

Foul by Leigh Griffiths (Celtic).
29:41

Steven MacLean (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
29:14

Nir Bitton (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
29:14

Foul by Murray Davidson (St. Johnstone).
28:49

Nir Bitton (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
28:49

Foul by Steven MacLean (St. Johnstone).
26:36

Foul by Saidy Janko (Celtic).
26:36

Graham Cummins (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
25:47

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Tam Scobbie.
25:35

Attempt missed. Kris Commons (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left.
25:00

Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic) wins a free kick on the right wing.
24:58

Foul by Joe Shaughnessy (St. Johnstone).
23:23

Scott Brown (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
23:23

Foul by Murray Davidson (St. Johnstone).
21:30

Tomas Rogic (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.
21:30

Foul by Chris Millar (St. Johnstone).
17:38 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Celtic 1, St. Johnstone 1. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box to the top right corner. Assisted by Kris Commons.
16:28

Foul by Gary Mackay-Steven (Celtic).
16:28

Michael O'Halloran (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick on the left wing.
16:05

Attempt saved. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
14:18

Foul by Nir Bitton (Celtic).
14:18

Graham Cummins (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
10:55 Goal scored

Goal! Own Goal by Dedryck Boyata, Celtic. Celtic 0, St. Johnstone 1.
9:00

Murray Davidson (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
8:59

Foul by Tomas Rogic (Celtic).
7:04

Foul by Kris Commons (Celtic).
7:04

Chris Millar (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
4:31

Attempt saved. Nir Bitton (Celtic) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
4:11

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Joe Shaughnessy.
3:58

Attempt saved. Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
0:00

First Half begins.
0:00

Lineups are announced and players are warming up.

Live data and text provided by our data suppliers