2016-05-11: St Johnstone 2-1 Celtic, SP

Leigh Griffiths had given Ronny Deila’s men the lead with his 40th goal of the season, a landmark strike for Scotland’s Player of the Year who becomes the first Celtic player to reach that tally in a campaign since Henrik Larsson 12 years ago.
But Saints hit back to take full advantage of a couple of shocking blunders at the back from Celtic, the unforced errors from Stefan Johansen and then serial offender Efe Ambrose punished by Steven MacLean and substitute Graham Cummins.

It is St Johnstone’s fourth victory over Celtic during the champions’ current five-in-a-row era, an impressive record which illustrates the fine work carried out in Perth by Wright. It is also a win which secures Saints £1.53 million in SPFL prize money, around £100,000 more than they would have received for finishing fifth.

Deila’s penultimate team selection as Celtic manager saw him make no fewer than seven changes to his starting line-up. With the title formally clinched last Sunday, it was difficult to invest this fixture with any great sense of significance for the champions but it was an opportunity for some fringe members of their over-sized first team squad to try and catch the eye.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the visitors were the slower of the two sides to settle as they adjusted to their unfamiliar make-up. Saints had the edge in the opening exchanges, pressing high up the pitch but without creating any clear-cut openings.
It was Celtic who were the first to pose a serious goal threat, almost inevitably in the form of Griffiths. Their leading scorer, making his final appearance of the campaign before he sits out this weekend’s title party against Motherwell through suspension, was eager to sign off with a flourish.
Ryan Christie, making his first starting appearance for the club, picked Griffiths out with a well judged cross from the left but the striker’s firm header was kept out by a fine save from Zander Clark.

St Johnstone responded robustly and came close in the 23rd minute when Logan Bailly, handed a rare stand-in outing in goal for Celtic, handled outside his penalty area to concede a free-kick. It was drilled across the face of goal by Liam Craig for Brian Easton to see his close range shot blocked.
A minute later, there was an uncomfortable moment for Erik Sviatchenko when the Danish defender, handed the captain’s armband for the night, found himself on the wrong side of Chris Kane as the Saints striker raced onto a David Wotherspoon through ball. Fortunately for Sviatchenko, Kane dragged his shot just wide of Bailly’s right hand post.
Patrick Roberts was being contained fairly effectively by the home defence but the teenage winger burst into life on the half hour mark when he cut in from the right and saw his dipping left foot shot from 22 yards deflected narrowly beyond Clark’s right hand post.
A largely forgettable first half ended with St Johnstone on the front foot as Joe Shaughnessy saw a shot deflected just wide after a quickly taken free-kick had caught out the Celtic defence.

Scott Allan, making only his third starting appearance for Celtic since his move from Hibs last summer, created the first opening of the second half when his cross from the left picked out Christle who might have done better than glance a header off target.
There was suddenly a brighter tempo to the action and Celtic took the lead with a well crafted and superbly finished goal in the 53rd minute. Ambrose initiated a sweeping move down the left which saw Callum McGregor and Johansen combine to feed Griffiths on the edge of the penalty area.
The striker twisted his way beyond a couple of challenges towards the six yard box before slotting the ball coolly beyond Clark with the outside of his left boot.
It was a moment to savour for Griffiths and even referee Willie Collum showed a benevolent side as he kept his yellow card in his pocket when the scorer celebrated by going towards the Celtic fans behind the goal and embracing his young son Rhys who was among them.
But the lead lasted only three minutes as St Johnstone took full advantage of a horrible moment for Johansen. The Norwegian midfielder dallied in possession on the edge of the Celtic penalty area and was robbed of the ball by MacLean who raced through to loft a delightful finish over the exposed Bailly from around 12 yards.

The experimental look of Celtic’s team was added to with the introduction of highly regarded 17-year-old right-back Anthony Ralston for his debut as a substitute for Saidy Janko as the game entered the closing stages.
He could only look on in dismay, however, as a defensive calamity allowed Saints to grab the winner with 13 minutes remaining. Shaughnessy’s cross from the right looked like Bailly’s to take but the goalkeeper saw the ball headed out of his grasp by team-mate Ambrose. It fell kindly for Cummins to slot home from close range.
Christie missed a glaring chance to equalise for Celtic in stoppage time, shooting tamely at Clark from close range, but this was Saints’ night.

Referee: W Collum
Attendance: 5959

ST JOHNSTONE: Clark, Shaughnessy, Scobbie, Anderson, Easton; Wotherspoon, Brown, Craig, Swanson (Doyle 90); Kane (Cummins 59), MacLean. Subs not used: Mannus, Sutton, Hurst, McCawl, Krachunov.
CELTIC: Bailly, Janko (Ralston 74), Ambrose, Sviatchenko. Izaguirre; McGregor, Johansen (Bitton 66); Roberts, Allan (Rogic 80), Christie; Griffiths. Subs not used: Fasan, Armstrong, Forrest, Tierney.

Read more: http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/competitions/premiership/st-johnstone-2-1-celtic-hosts-come-from-behind-to-win-1-4125757#ixzz48RFpxTUL
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Logan Bailly (centre) berates his defence as Celtic lose to St Johnstone
Logan Bailly (centre) berates his defence as Celtic lose to St Johnstone
Celtic assistant manager John Collins admits Sunday's title celebrations will be a bitter-sweet occasion as he and Ronny Deila bid farewell to the club.
The game at home to Motherwell brings the curtain down on their era in charge, securing five titles in a row.
A 2-1 defeat to St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park was their fourth in the Premiership this season.

"I'm looking forward very much to trophy day on Sunday," Collins told BBC Scotland.
"These are special days but it will be mixed emotions for me as it will be the last game for the manager and me.
"It will be sad walking out for the last time but we have had a good couple of years there so it's someone else's opportunity now.
"But if the right opportunity comes up I will go back into football. I love football."
Leigh Griffiths scored his 40th goal of the season but the sort of defensive blunders that have plagued Celtic all season cost them the points.
Mistakes by Stefan Johansen and a collision between regular culprit Efe Ambrose and stand-in keeper Logan Bailly allowed Steven MacLean and Graham Cummins to pounce.
Collins added: "The two goals we lost were disappointing but that's football. We made a lot of changes with the league won and we needed to give players game time.
"It is tough to get going under those circumstances but the second half was a lot better and we scored a wonderful goal through Leigh Griffiths again.
"He is an absolute goal machine who is a constant threat and he has had a wonderful season for the club so let's hope he goes on from strength to strength next season for Celtic.
"We were controlling things but all credit to St Johnstone as they defended very well and they fought for everything."

St Johnstone's first win in eight against Celtic clinched a fourth place finish for the second successive season, after a strong end to a campaign that started in early July.
The financial boost that will give the squad is important for Tommy Wright's plans going forward, but making it four wins post split was equally pleasing for the Perth club's manager
Wright said: "It's very important that we clinched fourth place because it helps with budgets and helps the chairman plan for the future.
"That should help us get in more quality which we'll need because the league will be tougher again next season.
"We did well after the split last year but we have done even better this time with four wins on the spin against very good sides.
"To beat Aberdeen, Motherwell, Ross County and now the champions then it is job done from that respect.
"We have secured fourth place and if we can win at Tynecastle then it would give us the most top flight away wins we have ever had.
"I think we have done all right in terms of performances against Celtic but it was good to get the win this time.
"The players showed how much they wanted to win the game and there was no tiredness despite this being a long season for the players."

By Scott Davie
BBC Scotland at McDiarmid Park

11 May 2016

Steven MacLean
Steven MacLean celebrates after tapping home St Johnstone's equaliser
St Johnstone came from behind to beat champions Celtic and secure a fourth-place Premiership finish.
Leigh Griffiths' solo effort put the visitors ahead at McDiarmid Park, taking his tally for the season to 40.
A howler from Stefan Johansen allowed Steven MacLean in to level with a neat finish.

Efe Ambrose made another costly mistake, colliding with goalkeeper Logan Bailly to allow Graham Cummins to stab in the winner.
With the title secured, Celtic boss Ronny Deila made seven changes to the side that beat Aberdeen 3-2 at Parkhead on Sunday, but paid the price with a fourth league defeat of the season.
Craig Gordon, Charlie Mulgrew and Mikael Lustig were given the night off, with Nir Biton, Stuart Armstrong, Tom Rogic and Keiran Tierney dropping to the bench.
The travelling Celtic supporters were given a rare glimpse of Scott Allan, Ryan Christie, Saidy Janko and Belgian goalkeeper Bailly among the replacements.

Leigh Griffiths
Leigh Griffiths becomes the first Celtic player since Henrik Larsson to score 40 goals in a season
Bailly was busy enough in the early exchanges as St Johnstone found a lot of joy down their right, where Emilio Izaguirre was playing what might prove to be his last game for the champions given Tierney's form.
The goalkeeper had a few testing crosses to deal with in the first few minutes but it was Saints' last line of defence that kept the scoreline level when the visitors finally clicked going forward.
Clark denied Griffiths with a fine save just when Scotland's top marksman seemed certain to convert an inviting cross following intelligent set-up play from Christie.

Highlights – St Johnstone 2-1 Celtic
That was a rare moment of anxiety for Tommy Wright's side as they dominated possession for long spells of the first half as Celtic found it hard to produce any fluent attacking football.
Their increased tempo early in the second paid off with another sublime goal from Griffiths.
There seemed little danger when he picked up possession at the left edge of box but he weaved past two challenges before stabbing a left-foot shot beyond the onrushing Clark, his 31st league goal.
St Johnstone were gifted the chance of a quick equaliser in the 55th minute when Johansen was caught in possession on the edge of his own penalty area and veteran striker MacLean finished with aplomb.
The game looked to be drifting towards a draw before Ambrose tangled with Bailly and Cummins tapped home to make it four straight post-split wins for Tommy Wright's side.

90'+3'
Attempt saved. Ryan Christie (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.

Substitution
90'
Substitution, St. Johnstone. Michael Doyle replaces Danny Swanson.

88'
Foul by Steven MacLean (St. Johnstone).

88'
Nir Bitton (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.

85'
Attempt missed. Graham Cummins (St. Johnstone) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right.

83'
Attempt missed. Callum McGregor (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left.

Substitution
80'
Substitution, Celtic. Tomas Rogic replaces Scott Allan.

Goal!
77'
Goal! St. Johnstone 2, Celtic 1. Graham Cummins (St. Johnstone) right footed shot from very close range to the centre of the goal.

Substitution
74'
Substitution, Celtic. Anthony Ralston replaces Saidy Janko.

73'
Attempt missed. Nir Bitton (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right.

67'
Steven MacLean (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

67'
Foul by Nir Bitton (Celtic).

Substitution
66'
Substitution, Celtic. Nir Bitton replaces Stefan Johansen.

65'
Attempt missed. Danny Swanson (St. Johnstone) left footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses to the left.

62'
Attempt saved. Ryan Christie (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.

Booking
61'
Danny Swanson (St. Johnstone) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

61'
Foul by Danny Swanson (St. Johnstone).

61'
Saidy Janko (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

59'
Attempt missed. Danny Swanson (St. Johnstone) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right.

Substitution
59'
Substitution, St. Johnstone. Graham Cummins replaces Christopher Kane.

58'
Attempt missed. Patrick Roberts (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left.

Booking
57'
Steven MacLean (St. Johnstone) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

57'
Foul by Steven MacLean (St. Johnstone).

57'
Patrick Roberts (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Goal!
56'
Goal! St. Johnstone 1, Celtic 1. Steven MacLean (St. Johnstone) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal.

Goal!
53'
Goal! St. Johnstone 0, Celtic 1. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Stefan Johansen.

51'
Foul by David Wotherspoon (St. Johnstone).

51'
Scott Allan (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.

50'
Foul by Liam Craig (St. Johnstone).

50'
Ryan Christie (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

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

49'
Foul by Ryan Christie (Celtic).

Half Time
45'+1'
First Half ends, St. Johnstone 0, Celtic 0.

45'
Liam Craig (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

45'
Foul by Scott Allan (Celtic).

43'
Corner, St. Johnstone. Conceded by Emilio Izaguirre.

42'
Liam Craig (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

42'
Foul by Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic).

41'
Foul by Steven MacLean (St. Johnstone).

41'
Erik Sviatchenko (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

38'
Corner, St. Johnstone. Conceded by Callum McGregor.

37'
David Wotherspoon (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

37'
Foul by Callum McGregor (Celtic).

36'
Attempt blocked. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.

Booking
35'
Steven Anderson (St. Johnstone) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

35'
Foul by Steven Anderson (St. Johnstone).

35'
Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

33'
Foul by David Wotherspoon (St. Johnstone).

33'
Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.

32'
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Brian Easton.

32'
Attempt saved. Steven Anderson (St. Johnstone) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner.

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

31'
Foul by Saidy Janko (Celtic).

30'
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Danny Swanson.

30'
Attempt blocked. Patrick Roberts (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.

29'
Attempt missed. Liam Craig (St. Johnstone) right footed shot from more than 35 yards is just a bit too high from a direct free kick.

Booking
28'
Stefan Johansen (Celtic) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

28'
Danny Swanson (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

28'
Foul by Stefan Johansen (Celtic).

27'
Christopher Kane (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick on the left wing.

27'
Foul by Saidy Janko (Celtic).

24'
Attempt missed. Christopher Kane (St. Johnstone) right footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses to the left.

23'
Corner, St. Johnstone. Conceded by Leigh Griffiths.

22'
Hand ball by Logan Bailly (Celtic).

19'
Christopher Kane (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick on the left wing.

19'
Foul by Efe Ambrose (Celtic).

16'
Attempt saved. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) header from the right side of the six yard box is saved in the top right corner.

12'
Stefan Johansen (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

12'
Foul by Christopher Kane (St. Johnstone).

10'
Foul by Steven MacLean (St. Johnstone).

10'
Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

9'
Danny Swanson (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

9'
Foul by Leigh Griffiths (Celtic).

8'
Foul by Danny Swanson (St. Johnstone).

8'
Ryan Christie (Celtic) wins a free kick on the right wing.

7'
Corner, St. Johnstone. Conceded by Emilio Izaguirre.