2015-12-13: St Johnstone 0-3 Celtic, SP

Trivia

• Back to the domestic scene, Celtic finished with Europe now.
• Much maligned Celtic player Ciftci playing in place of Griffiths scores two and finally wins some cheers off of the Celtic support. His first serious match performance of note.
• Celtic reported a cited for fans using flares at the away game v Fernerbahce.
• Last domestic game Celtic v Hamilton at home called off due to freak weather, Scotland battered by heavy rain causing huge flooding across the west coast.
• Tributes at the game for Honduran and ex-Sevco player Arnold Peralta who was shot dead in his home country. A good friend of Celtic player Izzaguiere. RIP

Review

(columbo of KDS)
Just back – turned out to be a really good day – although my mood until the first goal was less cheerful.

Could have been behind early on – but after the second goal we played some nice stuff.

Boyata was top man for me – thought he was excellent , Gordon made vital stops and when the game opened up almost every one did well.

Armstrong would be the exception – doesn't seem as if he is enjoying things – got to see him up close in the second half when it seemed all the team other than the CB's were regularly involved in the attacking moves – he seemed detached from the game somehow – communication with team mates was non-existent.

Rogic showed some great skill , Mcgregor had another good game , Lustig coming forward looked like his old self.

Pleased for Cifti – although I didn't think he had a great game – 2 good goals will do for a start.
(swavboy of KDS)
I feared the worst when I seen how lightweight our midfield was, but came away with a good win on a difficult surface and against a team of dirty bastards.

Anderson, MacKay and Davidson; booting anything that moved and surrounding the ref and in his face at every opportunity.
Were they really expecting the ref to go and send off Jozo, at the touchline, 40 yeards from goal, because O' Halloran made an arse of his finish? They can get it up them.

Defensively we were sound and two goals for Ciftci will do him good.

Honourable mention of their left back's shot from about 35 yards, I thought it was flying in. Fair old dig.

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Stats

St Johnstone Celtic
Possession
62% 38%
90mins
Shots
10 9
On target
4 6
Corners
3 8
Fouls
7 15

Articles

STV
St Johnstone 0-3 Celtic: Ciftci bags brace in comfortable Hoops win
STV
13 December 2015 14:55 GMT
http://sport.stv.tv/football/clubs/celtic/1335816-st-johnstone-0-3-celtic-ciftci-bags-brace-in-comfortable-hoops-win/
Celtic confirmed their domestic strength with a victory over St Johnstone at a freezing McDiarmid Park to take them four points clear of Aberdeen at the top of the Premiership.

Returning to action after concluding their doomed Europa League campaign against Fenerbahce on Thursday night, a double from striker Nadir Ciftci – a goal either side of a Dedryck Boyata header – gave the visitors a 3-0 win against a Saints side who were left bemoaning three spurned chances in the first-half.

Ronny Deila's side have won all 10 games following European ties this season and have a game in hand over the Dons with two domestic cups still in their sights, while Tommy Wright's men, despite some decent work, suffered their first defeat in eight games.

After the trip to Turkey Deila brought back Emilio Izaguirre, Tom Rogic and James Forrest, with Kieran Tierney and Scott Allan on the bench and Nir Bitton out altogether.

Top scorer Leigh Griffiths was again missing with a knock.

St Johnstone's loan defender Darnell Fisher was unable to play against his parent club and centre-back Tam Scobbie was dropped to the bench with Steven Anderson and Brian Easton coming in.

There was less than a minute played when keeper Craig Gordon – who had been at fault for Fenerbahce's goal in the 1-1 draw in Istanbul – had to come to Celtic's rescue, blocking a one-on-one with Michael O'Halloran after he had been sent clear of the Hoops defence by Steven MacLean.

The early drama, however, was not a portent of things to come and it was another 26 minutes before another chance emerged,

A clever pass from Hoops' impressive midfielder Rogic found Ciftci unmarked but his drive from 14 yards was straight at Perth keeper Alan Mannus who knocked it behind for a corner, which came to nothing.

However, in the 35th minute, just after injured Saints midfielder Chris Millar was replaced by Liam Caddis, Celtic forged ahead.

Following a Callum McGregor corner which had been nudged on by stand-in skipper Mikael Lustig, Ciftci showed some nifty footwork before driving the ball in from close range.

Moments later, from a Stuart Armstrong corner, Mannus made a good save from Boyata's powerful header, a warning for Saints which was not heeded.

The league leaders looked to have a grip of the game but three minutes from the break they were cut open again and Gordon parried Murray Davidson's point-blank drive before pushing David Wotherspoon's shot past the post for a corner, which proved fruitless for the home side.

The Parkhead defence had not learned their lesson either and a minute later O'Halloran skipped past isolated stopper Jozo Simunovic to race through on goal but this time curled his shot past the far post.

When Boyata bulleted in McGregor's corner with his head with just three minutes of the second-half played, the points were Glasgow-bound.

Moments later, Easton beat Gordon with an arrowed 25-yard drive only to see the ball rebound off the post.

But in the 67th minute, after Rogic had carelessly knocked Izaguirre's cut-back past the post from six yards out, Ciftci rose to head in a Lustig cross to take his Hoops tally to four since signing from Dundee United in the summer, before the match fizzled out to a conclusion that was not so certain in the first-half.

BBC
By Tom English BBC Scotland at McDiarmid Park

Celtic extended their lead at the top of the Premiership to four points with victory against St Johnstone in Perth.

Nadir Ciftci and Dedryck Boyata scored from close range either side of the half-time break to put the visitors into a commanding lead.

In-form Saints came painfully close to pulling one back when Brian Easton's shot from distance hit a post.

Ciftci headed his second just after the hour to secure a seventh win in eight league matches for the champions.

Aberdeen, who beat Hearts 1-0 on Saturday, are second in the table, having played one game more than Celtic.

On the face it, a 3-0 win looked a rout for Celtic, but that would be to do Saints a small injustice. They did much to add to what was a good contest for a chunk of the afternoon.

As early as the first minute they had a wonderful opportunity to open the scoring when Stefan Johansen lost the ball and Steven Maclean put Michael O'Halloran through on Craig Gordon in the Celtic goal.
Boyata headed Celtic 2-0 in front

Boyata headed Celtic 2-0 in front

The attacker's shot was indecisive and Gordon managed to turn it away for a corner.

Gordon's saves – and St Johnstone's profligacy – would become one of the themes of the day.

In those early minutes, the hosts had a bite about them that troubled Celtic. They hustled and harried. Celtic did not get into the pitch of it until midway through the half. When they did, it was Tom Rogic, more than anybody else, who got them there.

Rogic was impressive throughout. He put Ciftci in for a fine chance just before the half-hour but the Turk's shot was saved by Alan Mannus.

Credit to Ciftci – when another chance came his way, he buried it. Callum McGregor's corner fell kindly to him. He controlled the ball on his thigh and then thumped it home from inside the six-yard box.
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Highlights – St Johnstone 0-3 Celtic

And there was another theme – Saints' vulnerability so close to their own goal. Boyata could have scored from a corner soon after.

Saints are dogged competitors. Sure, they succumbed to Celtic's quality later on, but they had chances before the goals arrived.

Murray Davidson and David Wotherspoon forced saves from Gordon just before the break and O'Halloran curled one narrowly wide directly after.

Even after Boyata thundered home a header from McGregor's corner to make it 2-0, there were signs of life. Easton's lusty hit from distance came off Gordon's left-hand post.

Celtic closed it out from there. And they were excellent. Rogic had a chance, then Ciftci scored his second after a precise cross from Mikael Lustig.

It was fine tribute to Ronny Deila's team that once more they responded to European disappointment with domestic dominance.
Ciftci celebrates scoring his second and Celtic's third

Ciftci celebrates scoring his second and Celtic's third

This was the 10th match in a row where Celtic have won, having played in Europe earlier in the week.

They were clinical and professional against a team that had been flying – nine wins in 11 games in all competitions – before this swatting by the champions.

The fact that the previously beleaguered Ciftci doubled his Celtic tally – from two to four – was an extra plus on a pleasing day for the visitors.
Live Text Commentary
Full time

Full Time Match ends, St. Johnstone 0, Celtic 3.
90:00 +1:57 Full time

Full Time Second Half ends, St. Johnstone 0, Celtic 3.
90:00 +1:27

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by David Mackay.
90:00 +1:20

Attempt blocked. Carlton Cole (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
88:11 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Celtic. Scott Allan replaces Nadir Ciftci.
86:25

Michael O'Halloran (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
86:25

Foul by Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic).
83:05

Foul by Murray Davidson (St. Johnstone).
83:05

James Forrest (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
82:01

Foul by Murray Davidson (St. Johnstone).
82:01

Kris Commons (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
80:37 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Celtic. Carlton Cole replaces Tomas Rogic.
80:22 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, St. Johnstone. Christopher Kane replaces Steven MacLean.
80:10

Liam Caddis (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick on the left wing.
80:10

Foul by James Forrest (Celtic).
76:14

Liam Caddis (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
76:14

Foul by Kris Commons (Celtic).
71:05 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Celtic. Kris Commons replaces Stuart Armstrong.
68:52

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by David Mackay.
66:33 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! St. Johnstone 0, Celtic 3. Nadir Ciftci (Celtic) header from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Mikael Lustig with a cross.
63:04

Liam Craig (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
63:04

Foul by Dedryck Boyata (Celtic).
62:20 Booking

Booking David Wotherspoon (St. Johnstone) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
62:09

Foul by David Wotherspoon (St. Johnstone).
62:09

James Forrest (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
61:32

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Murray Davidson.
61:21

Attempt blocked. Stuart Armstrong (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
60:50

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Brian Easton.
59:51

Attempt missed. David Mackay (St. Johnstone) header from the centre of the box misses to the right.
58:53 Booking

Booking Stefan Johansen (Celtic) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
58:49

David Wotherspoon (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
58:49

Foul by Stefan Johansen (Celtic).
57:05

Delay over. They are ready to continue.
56:20

Delay in match Craig Gordon (Celtic) because of an injury.
55:14

Attempt missed. Tomas Rogic (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left.
52:53

Liam Caddis (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
52:53

Foul by Stefan Johansen (Celtic).
50:02

Liam Caddis (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
50:02

Foul by Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic).
49:34

Brian Easton (St. Johnstone) hits the left post with a left footed shot from outside the box.
48:09 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! St. Johnstone 0, Celtic 2. Dedryck Boyata (Celtic) header from very close range to the high centre of the goal. Assisted by Callum McGregor with a cross.
48:01

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Liam Craig.
46:24

Liam Caddis (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick on the left wing.
46:24

Foul by Tomas Rogic (Celtic).
45:00

Second Half begins St. Johnstone 0, Celtic 1.
45:00 +1:01 Half time

Half Time First Half ends, St. Johnstone 0, Celtic 1.
45:00 +1:00 Booking

Booking David Mackay (St. Johnstone) is shown the yellow card.
45:00 +0:35 Booking

Booking Steven MacLean (St. Johnstone) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
45:00 +0:22

Foul by Steven MacLean (St. Johnstone).
45:00 +0:22

Dedryck Boyata (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
44:22

Attempt missed. Michael O'Halloran (St. Johnstone) right footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses to the right.
42:20

Attempt missed. Steven Anderson (St. Johnstone) header from the centre of the box misses to the left.
42:13

Corner, St. Johnstone. Conceded by Craig Gordon.
42:05

Attempt saved. Steven MacLean (St. Johnstone) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
41:41

Attempt saved. Murray Davidson (St. Johnstone) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
40:49

Attempt missed. Liam Craig (St. Johnstone) left footed shot from outside the box is too high.
40:13

Michael O'Halloran (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
40:13

Foul by Mikael Lustig (Celtic).
38:24

Foul by Dedryck Boyata (Celtic).
38:24

David Mackay (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
38:13

Attempt saved. Dedryck Boyata (Celtic) header from very close range is saved in the centre of the goal.
37:49

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Joe Shaughnessy.
34:38 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! St. Johnstone 0, Celtic 1. Nadir Ciftci (Celtic) right footed shot from the left side of the six yard box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Callum McGregor with a cross.
34:22

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Liam Craig.
33:22 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, St. Johnstone. Liam Caddis replaces Chris Millar because of an injury.
32:33

Delay in match Chris Millar (St. Johnstone) because of an injury.
32:10

Foul by Tomas Rogic (Celtic).
32:10

Murray Davidson (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
26:30

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Alan Mannus.
26:17

Attempt saved. Nadir Ciftci (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
24:24

Attempt missed. Liam Craig (St. Johnstone) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the left.
22:59 Booking

Booking Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
22:55

Foul by Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic).
22:55

David Wotherspoon (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
19:08

Foul by Dedryck Boyata (Celtic).
19:08

Steven MacLean (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
16:55

Nadir Ciftci (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
16:55

Foul by Murray Davidson (St. Johnstone).
13:44

Chris Millar (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
13:44

Foul by Nadir Ciftci (Celtic).
10:29

Corner, St. Johnstone. Conceded by Jozo Simunovic.
9:16

Foul by Dedryck Boyata (Celtic).
9:16

Steven MacLean (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
8:50

Dedryck Boyata (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
8:50

Foul by Steven MacLean (St. Johnstone).
6:40

Attempt saved. Tomas Rogic (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
5:39

Nadir Ciftci (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
5:39

Foul by David Mackay (St. Johnstone).
1:47

Attempt saved. Joe Shaughnessy (St. Johnstone) header from very close range is saved in the centre of the goal.
1:17

Corner, St. Johnstone. Conceded by Craig Gordon.
1:02

Attempt saved. Michael O'Halloran (St. Johnstone) right footed shot from the centre 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.

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