2016-01-23: Celtic 3-1 St Johnstone, SP

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

Trivia

• East Kilbride beat Lothian Thistle in Scottish Cup to set up a dream tie.
• Formed in 2010 East Kilbride will be Celtic's first opponents from the Lowland League as well as the second youngest club to face the Bhoys in recent years.
• Hun group Rangers Fight Back release public statement threatening people of actions warning their targets that they are under threat to lose their families children wives etc.
• James Forrest offered new four-year contract
• Transfer window is open.
• Rumours: Tyler Blackett to be recalled to Man U. Ambrose to China?
• Celtic sign Erik Sviatchenko signs: Celtic 'bigger than Premier League offers'Celtic want Aiden McGeady – but can't afford wages, says Ronny Deila
• Darren O'Dea (ex-Celt) joins Dundee.
• Stokes signs for Hibs on loan, all for the best. Has to help his old club in the Championship, with Sevco clear in front at moment.

Review

(tinytim of KDS)
Really enjoyed that today.

The positives:

1. We had a bit of pressure on us with Aberdeen winning the day before but got the job done
2. St Johnstone made us work for it. All of our goals were earned
3. We kept going even though St Johnstone made a good go of it
4. We battled hard in the midfield
5. Craig Gordon's save in the second half

The negatives:

1. Simunovic was rank. We should have lost more than two because of him
2. Defence poor for the equaliser. Ross County and Aberdeen will get at least one
(O&O of KDS)
as others have said GMS played really well

jozo had a mare and griffiths wasn't far behind him

a couple of dodgy moments at the back – what the hell was efe doing with header

again some decent interplay and we could have easily scored more than 3.

Looking forward to next weekend for the Semi – at least we may have a decent pitch to play on this time.

Teams

Attendance: 40,000

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
35% 65%
90mins

Shots
20 7

On target
14 5

Corners
3 2

Fouls
18 11

Articles

Celtic 3 – 1 St Johnstone: Bhoys restore six point lead
http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/teams/celtic/celtic-3-1-st-johnstone-bhoys-restore-six-point-lead-1-4009561
ANDREW SMITH

THERE was a certain novelty to yet another dominant victory from Celtic yesterday.

Celtic – 3

Mackay-Steven 9, 54; Armstrong 44

St Johnstone – 1

MacLean 12

Goals, plural, plundered by an attacker and his name wasn’t Leigh Griffiths. It will never catch on. Double scorer Gary Mackay-Steven, though, suddenly seems to be catching on.

His season was going nowhere fast until his surprise recall for the 8-1 midweek mauling of Hamilton. Now, with his confidence patently coursing once more, the winger appears to the lightning rod for the electric scoring form that has ensured Ronny Deila’s side will take a six-point to challengers Aberdeen when they resume Premiership duties a week on Wednesday.

Ably abetted by his former Dundee United confrere and fellow scorer Stuart Armstrong and Callum McGregor, Mackay-Steven has helped Celtic rediscovered an incisiveness and attacking cohesion which blossomed when he and Armstrong arrived from but seemed to go missing in this campaign.

In a chancefest to which St Johnstone were notable contributors, it was a tale of two wide men. Michael O’Halloran was a constant menace for the visitors, showing a focus that his manager Tommy Wright felt had been sufficiently fuzzied by two failed bids from Rangers to leave him out the previous week.

It will be of little comfort to St Johnstone that they were competitive enough to keep the scoreline respectable, that partly down to an off-day from Griffiths that meant his team have only netted the 15 goal in their past three games.

“We can see much more sharpness in the team now,” Deila said. “I think we are developing every day and today we created a lot of chances again. We were not so effective in taking them but you have to be pleased.”

The Norwegian was especially pleased with the scoring renaissance enjoyed by Mackay-Steven and Armstrong. The former opened the scoring in ninth minute when he punished a sleepy St Johnstone defence with a hooked shot that followed the ball bouncing up off Alan Mannus after he saved from Griffiths. His second, to make it 3-1, came early in the second period. Stefan Johansen sprinted forward and aimed a pass for Griffiths that Mackay-Steven pounced on – fouling Brian Easton in the process St Johnstone fumed – before punching a low drive into the corner of the net.

For his part, Armstrong smeared a delicious volley high past Mannus from a Mikael Lustig chip cross a minute before the interval, putting Wright’s side behind after the had levelled the scores after an O’Halloran run and cross down the right that left Kieran Tierney spinning allowed Steven MacLean to force in at the front post.

“Leigh had his chances but it is very important we have other players scoring as well, wingers especially,” said Deila of his scorers on a day when Ryan Christie made his debut late on. “Then you need to get into the box between the goals that is where 90 % of them are scored. They do that and I think both of them played very well, Callum as well. Stuart looks very sharp so I am pleased with that.

“It is tough here. We have many players coming from smaller clubs. It is one thing to come in and everything is positive but then there is expectation and it takes time to deal with that, to deal with all the things that comes with being at Celtic and play with freedom. Gary has done that, Stuart as well and Callum who had a long period out as well. It takes time to develop players and people but if you worked the right way you get the credit in the end.”

Wright was full of credit for O’Halloran, with the 25-year-old unlikely to move before the club’s semi-final against Hibernian at Tynecastle on Saturday – 24 hours before Celtic face St Johnstone at Hampden.

““I was really pleased with his performance, he was excellent throughout, when we put him up top as well he was a threat, the St Johnstone manager said of the Rangers target. “I didn’t have to speak to him because he’s been in good form all week. It was difficult the previous week because the speculation became an interest and that snowballed in the press, and he just wasn’t right mentally. But he certainly was this week.”

Wright was far from disheartened with a display that brought a first goal in six matches, with another goalbound effort blocked on the line by Johansen. “I’m pleased with how we played but we probably didn’t help ourselves by conceding just before half-time. The third goal killed the game but I think everyone in the stadium could see it was a free-kick clearly on Brian Easton. What compounds it is Mackay-Steven finishes it off. We created one or two opportunities but I thought they were excellent.”

Read more: http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/teams/celtic/celtic-3-1-st-johnstone-bhoys-restore-six-point-lead-1-4009561#ixzz3yBq4lhBv
Follow us: @TheScotsman on Twitter | TheScotsmanNewspaper on Facebook

BBC
By Richard Wilson BBC Scotland at Celtic Park

Celtic moved six points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership with an assured victory over St Johnstone.

The defending champions were efficient as they took control with first-half goals from Gary Mackay-Steven and Stuart Armstrong.

St Johnstone briefly rallied, and tied the game at 1-1 when Steven MacLean equalised.

But they had no answer to Celtic's growing authority and Mackay-Steven netted again after the break.
Leaders too strong for Saints
Play media
Jump media player
Media player help
Out of media player. Press enter to return or tab to continue.

Highlights – Celtic 3-1 St Johnstone

St Johnstone's resistance lasted only nine minutes, though they may consider that a feat given how ruthlessly Celtic dispatched Hamilton 8-1 in midweek with three early goals.

Few defences have found the means to curtail Leigh Griffiths this season and, after his effort was blocked, Mackay-Steven darted through to drive past Alan Mannus.

The visitors from Perth did not allow their sprightliness to be subdued by the circumstances and Michael O'Halloran's pace could not be contained.

He may yet complete a move to Rangers but he was focused in Glasgow and skipped past Kieran Tierney to cross for MacLean to finish from close range.

Frustration might have set in for the home side but Armstrong was brilliantly accurate and composed as he swept a first-time volley into the net from Mikael Lustig's cross.

Another goal after the break finally quelled St Johnstone's spirit. Johansen's pass might have been aimed at Griffiths, but the ball fell perfectly into Mackay-Steven's stride for him to finish with cool aplomb.
Youngsters on form
Celtic midfielder Ryan Christie

Ryan Christie made his Celtic debut in the second half

The display was sound from Celtic and scattered with the promise of their youthful attacking players.

Though over elaborate, Celtic dominated possession and Mackay-Steven, Griffiths and Callum McGregor all impressed in the final third, while debutant Ryan Christie replaced Armstrong late on.

The standout Celtic player was Tierney, though, who played with a depth of composure and awareness that sets him apart in defence and attack.

There were other half-chances, so that the scoreline might better have reflected Celtic's hold in the game, but also a clearance off his own goal-line from Johansen.

St Johnstone never lost heart, but the gap in quality could not be breached.
Live Text Commentary
Full time

Full Time Match ends, Celtic 3, St. Johnstone 1.
90:00 +2:11 Full time

Full Time Second Half ends, Celtic 3, St. Johnstone 1.
90:00 +0:36

Foul by Ryan Christie (Celtic).
90:00 +0:36

Liam Craig (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
87:28 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Celtic. Ryan Christie replaces Stuart Armstrong.
87:10

Attempt missed. Michael O'Halloran (St. Johnstone) left footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left.
85:38 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Celtic. James Forrest replaces Gary Mackay-Steven.
85:24

Foul by Scott Allan (Celtic).
85:24

Joe Shaughnessy (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
81:50

Attempt saved. David Wotherspoon (St. Johnstone) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
80:20

Attempt saved. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) header from the right side of the six yard box is saved in the bottom right corner.
78:35 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Celtic. Scott Allan replaces Callum McGregor.
75:55

Attempt missed. Callum McGregor (Celtic) left footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the right.
74:54

Attempt saved. Gary Mackay-Steven (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
74:10

Foul by Jozo Simunovic (Celtic).
74:10

Michael O'Halloran (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
72:28

Foul by Leigh Griffiths (Celtic).
72:28

Tam Scobbie (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
71:59

Attempt missed. Brian Easton (St. Johnstone) left footed shot from outside the box is too high.
69:15

Foul by Nir Bitton (Celtic).
69:15

Michael O'Halloran (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
68:28 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, St. Johnstone. Liam Caddis replaces Murray Davidson.
67:35

Foul by Mikael Lustig (Celtic).
67:35

Brian Easton (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick on the right wing.
66:35

Attempt missed. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) left footed shot from the right side of the box is just a bit too high.
65:14

Kieran Tierney (Celtic) wins a free kick on the right wing.
65:14

Foul by John Sutton (St. Johnstone).
64:54 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, St. Johnstone. John Sutton replaces Steven MacLean.
64:28

Attempt saved. Gary Mackay-Steven (Celtic) left footed shot from the right side of the six yard box is saved in the bottom left corner.
63:36

Attempt saved. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
62:22

Foul by Efe Ambrose (Celtic).
62:22

Steven MacLean (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
61:49

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Steven Anderson.
61:10

Attempt saved. Steven MacLean (St. Johnstone) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
60:21

Corner, St. Johnstone. Conceded by Leigh Griffiths.
59:54

Corner, St. Johnstone. Conceded by Jozo Simunovic.
59:23

Attempt saved. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
59:09

Attempt saved. Stuart Armstrong (Celtic) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box is saved in the bottom right corner.
57:31

Foul by Kieran Tierney (Celtic).
57:31

Steven MacLean (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
56:31

Attempt missed. Callum McGregor (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right.
56:05

Stefan Johansen (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.
56:05

Foul by Liam Craig (St. Johnstone).
54:19 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Celtic 3, St. Johnstone 1. Gary Mackay-Steven (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Stefan Johansen.
52:35

Hand ball by Gary Mackay-Steven (Celtic).
49:49

Attempt missed. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is just a bit too high.
49:35

Attempt saved. Gary Mackay-Steven (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
48:38

Foul by Callum McGregor (Celtic).
48:38

Murray Davidson (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
47:48

Kieran Tierney (Celtic) wins a free kick on the right wing.
47:48

Foul by Steven MacLean (St. Johnstone).
46:12

Foul by Stuart Armstrong (Celtic).
46:12

Michael O'Halloran (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
45:00

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

Substitution Substitution, St. Johnstone. Liam Craig replaces Graham Cummins.
45:00 +2:26 Half time

Half Time First Half ends, Celtic 2, St. Johnstone 1.
45:00 +1:46 Booking

Booking Murray Davidson (St. Johnstone) is shown the yellow card.
45:00 +1:16 Booking

Booking Joe Shaughnessy (St. Johnstone) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
45:00 +1:07

Stefan Johansen (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
45:00 +1:07

Foul by Joe Shaughnessy (St. Johnstone).
45:00 +0:13

Attempt saved. David Wotherspoon (St. Johnstone) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
42:59 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Celtic 2, St. Johnstone 1. Stuart Armstrong (Celtic) right footed shot from the left side of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Mikael Lustig.
42:32

Attempt saved. Callum McGregor (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the top left corner.
38:40

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Tam Scobbie.
36:16

Efe Ambrose (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
36:16

Foul by Steven MacLean (St. Johnstone).
35:10

Efe Ambrose (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
35:10

Foul by Graham Cummins (St. Johnstone).
34:40

Foul by Efe Ambrose (Celtic).
34:40

Steven MacLean (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
34:00

(St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
33:46

Foul by Leigh Griffiths (Celtic).
33:27

Attempt saved. Gary Mackay-Steven (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
32:45

Foul by Callum McGregor (Celtic).
32:45

Murray Davidson (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
29:13

Stefan Johansen (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
29:13

Foul by David Wotherspoon (St. Johnstone).
26:45

Attempt missed. Gary Mackay-Steven (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses the top left corner.
26:02

Stefan Johansen (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
26:02

Foul by David Wotherspoon (St. Johnstone).
21:34

Foul by Leigh Griffiths (Celtic).
21:34

Graham Cummins (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
17:17

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Brian Easton.
16:04

Attempt saved. Steven MacLean (St. Johnstone) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
14:27

Nir Bitton (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
14:27

Foul by Steven Anderson (St. Johnstone).
13:37

Foul by Stefan Johansen (Celtic).
13:37

Michael O'Halloran (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
12:33

Attempt saved. Nir Bitton (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
11:06 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Celtic 1, St. Johnstone 1. Steven MacLean (St. Johnstone) right footed shot from very close range to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Michael O'Halloran.
10:33

Attempt saved. Stuart Armstrong (Celtic) left footed shot from the left side of the six yard box is saved in the bottom left corner.
9:20

Callum McGregor (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
9:20

Foul by Murray Davidson (St. Johnstone).
8:12 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Celtic 1, St. Johnstone 0. Gary Mackay-Steven (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner.
8:07

Attempt blocked. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
4:15

Foul by Simon Lappin (St. Johnstone).
4:15

Mikael Lustig (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
2:42

Foul by Mikael Lustig (Celtic).
2:42

Michael O'Halloran (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
1:26

Foul by Leigh Griffiths (Celtic).
1:26

Steven Anderson (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
0:00

First Half begins.
0:00

Lineups are announced and players are warming up.

Live data and text provided by our data suppliers