Match Pictures | Matches: 2024 – 2025
Trivia
- KO: 15:00; Sunday; League Match 18
- Last game of the calendar year. Next match is v Sevco at Ibrox (derby match).
- Full league program of matches today. All kick off at 3pm except Dundee Utd v Aberdeen 5.15pm; over 110k tickets sold in Scotland!
- Celtic top of the table on 50pts and +48pts, so 14pts & +30 GD ahead of second place!
- Sevco 2-2 Motherwell, Aberdeen lost again 1-0! Hibs won, Hearts drew.
Post-note: SFA’s KMI review conceded that a goal by Motherwell was wrongly chopped off by the referee which would have put them 3-1 up v Sevco (ended 2-2). After the hoo-haa by Sevco & the media over the recent penalty not given in error during the league cup final, they have gone quiet! - Lot of players rested. Johnstone returns, Valle & Yang starts.
- Second MOTM for Engels who has come onto a game. Exceptional assist for Kyogo goal.
- St Johnstone bottom of the league having displaced Hearts.
- 2024: unbeaten at Celtic Park. Celtic end the calendar year 2024 with only TWO defeats from 50 matches (Hearts 2-0 & Dortmund 7-1) – with NO defeats at Celtic Park. It’s the fewest number of calendar year losses for Celtic for over 100 years.
- Three men were arrested for carrying or using pyro before the Edinburgh derby on Boxing Day, could this spread to Glasgow.
- BBC Scotland agreed a new contract to televise up to 30 Scottish Championship matches per season and show web-based highlights of second-tier games and League 1 and 2 matches.
- Transfer window opens in coming days.
- Reports: Bayer Leverkusen expressed interest in signing Carter-Vickers. Monitoring Chelsea midfield pair Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Carney Chukwuemeka. Keen on 22-year-old Manchester City midfielder James McAtee.
- Celtic in 2024. Won the League Won the Scottish Cup Won the League Cup Played 50 games (inc Champions League) Won 40 Drew 8 Lost 2 Goals for 139 Goals against 40 14 pts clear in League Chance to progress in CL. Brilliant from Brendan & team
- Scottish Premiership average attendances 2024-25: Celtic – 58,820 Rangers – 47,393 Hearts – 18,456 Aberdeen – 17,966 Hibernian – 16,306 Dundee United – 10,361 Kilmarnock – 6,777 St Mirren – 6,757 Dundee – 6,064 St Johnstone – 5,566 Motherwell – 5,466 Ross County – 4,273
- Ex-Celt Barry Robson named new Raith Rovers manager.
Summary
BBC: Celtic continue to cruise at the top of the Premiership table with a comfortable victory over struggling St Johnstone.Despite a solid first half display, Brendan Rodgers’ side punished the visitors in the second and no wonder when you can bring the likes of Daizen Maeda and Callum McGregor off the bench.More misery for St Johnstone as they end the year three points adrift at the bottom of the Premiership table.
“I think this time last year we’d lost a couple of games, maybe drawn three, so I can’t have too many complaints. I heard someone saying the other day, ‘there’s no need to panic’, because we drew a game. That was an interesting one! My idea is the long game. I’ve got to look after the whole campaign and get us through game after game when it’s so busy. Until this point, the players have been fantastic. When you think, having lost only two games this year, they’ve been absolutely superb. One of them away back with 10 men then one against the Champions League finalists. Apart from that, the players mentality, focus and drive has been relentless. We now want to finish 2024 in a really good way.”
Brendan Rodgers pre-match
“I said to the players afterwards I’m very, very proud. Firstly, as the Celtic manager because I think when we look back on the statistics on this season, it really will be a historical season for us in terms of numbers and what we’ve achieved.”
“So, from that perspective, very, very proud. But as a Celtic supporter, I look and I see what these guys give the team and what they give every day of their life and also the staff all around the club, the team that’s working very closely with the players, everyone.”
“It’s been a really, really special season for us. One in three trophies but having that humility and perseverance to want to keep improving. So, I think 2024 as a manager, I’m very very proud and really excited by what 2025 can bring.”
Brendan Rodgers postmatch
“A tough place. We knew it was a tough place. But as always, we came here to compete again. Our players, they gave everything. But we all know that in these kinds of games, we need to play almost a perfect game, and often needs to be not even close to their best standard.We have a lot of our own problems we need to fix it but I need to use this little moment well as well to say as well, how well Celtic played.And what I mean, how well they played. The attitude and desire to do the right things. The game was played for 89 minutes. 4-0 they are winning. It would be so easy to say, ‘Okay, I don’t need to use this’.”
Simo Valakari (St J manager)
jbj712 of KDS: Thought the starting midfield showed really good energy as well as some decent creativity in the first half albeit against a team at the bottom of the league. Hopefully it will convince Brendan that McGregor doesn’t have to start every game from now on.
No failures even Yang put in a real shift but he really needs to score a goal or two or set up a couple to get some real confidence going.
Finished off what has been an outstanding calendar year of football with only two defeats in all competitions one of which was down to absolutely scandalous officiating.
Let’s hope we kick off 2025 in the same manner.
Big thanks to Rodgers, his staff and all the players for making it such an enjoyable year because at this time last year I thought we were really struggling.
E-Tims @ETimsNet · 15h FT #Celtic 4 St Johnnies 0 A sublime performance today. Every player played well. Zipping the passes about at pace all over the pitch. Wide areas were really good today. Also thought Engels played well. Good to see Kyogo get a couple of goals. What a fantastic year
Inside The SPFL @AgentScotland · Dec 27 Comprehensive win for Celtic yesterday, Motherwell were dogged in the 1st half & limited Celtic, but once they scored they relaxed and were faster and more fluid in the second half, Hatate’s goal was the pick of the bunch and I thought Arne Engels performance was tremendous. Engels had another good game today, Bernardo controlled the midfield and Hatate’s vision creates the first goal for Kühn, Kyogo into double figures with his second double of the season vs St Johnstone, only the third time he’s managed two goals in a game under Brendan Rodgers.
Kevin Brady @kevin-brady.bsky.social · 15h Lovely football from Engels looking like a player of some class the last couple of games. Kyogo & Kuhn tremendous, Bernardo & Hatate impressive with Yang much improved and involved. To a man I thought we were outstanding. Loving the short corner sorcery, wee Strachan’s laptop on fire
Teams
Celtic:
Manager: Brendan Rodgers
Formation: 4 – 3 – 3
01 K. Schmeichel
11 Álex Valle
05 L. Scales
20 C. Carter-Vickers (c), Captain
02 A. Johnston, subbed for A. Ralston at 74mins
41 R. Hatate, subbed for L. McCowan at 74mins
28 Paulo Bernardo
27 A. Engels, subbed for C. McGregor at 67mins
13 Yang Hyun-Jun
08 K. Furuhashi, subbed for A. Idah at 68mins
10 N. Kühn, subbed for D. Maeda at 68mins
Subs:
09 A. Idah
38 D. Maeda
14 L. McCowan
42 C. McGregor
07 L. Palma
56 A. Ralston
12 V. Sinisalo
03 G. Taylor
06 A. Trusty
Goals:
N. Kühn (30′)
K. Furuhashi (59′, 64′)
D. Maeda (73′)
Assists:
R. Hatate (30′), A. Engels (64′), Paulo Bernardo (73′)
St Johnstone:
Manager: Simo Valakari
Formation: 3 – 5 – 1 – 1
12 J. Rae
02 B. Mikulić
04 K. Cameron
05 J. Sanders, subbed for J. Holt at 79mins
03 A. Raymond
22 M. Smith
23 S. Sprangler, subbed for G. Carey at 69mins
15 A. Essel 26′, Yellow Card at 26mins, subbed for L. Neilson at 46mins
46 F. Franczak
10 N. Clark (c), Captain, subbed for A. Sidibeh at 46mins
27 M. Kirk, subbed for B. Kimpioka at 46mins
Subs:
11 G. Carey
07 J. Holt
33 D. Keltjens
17 M. Kucheriavyi
29 B. Kimpioka
06 L. Neilson
16 A. Sidibeh
20 R. Sinclair
14 D. Wright
Referee Matthew MacDermid
Video Assistant Referee David Dickinson
Assistant Referee 1 Frank Connor
Assistant Referee 2 David Dunne
Fourth Official Grant Irvine
Assistant VAR Official Graeme Leslie
Att:
Articles
- Match Report (see below)
Pictures
Match Links
Stats
Overall possession
Celtic 70.4% St. Johnstone 29.6%
Shots
Celtic 30 St. Johnstone 1
Shots on target
Celtic 11 St. Johnstone 0
Total touches inside the box
Celtic 58 St. Johnstone 5
Goalkeeper saves
Celtic 0 St. Johnstone 7
Fouls
Celtic 8 St. Johnstone 1
Corners
Celtic 12 St. Johnstone 2
Advanced match stats
Shots
Celtic 30 St. Johnstone 1
Shots on target
Celtic 11 St. Johnstone 0
Shots off target
Celtic 14 St. Johnstone 1
Blocked shots
Celtic 5 St. Johnstone 0
Attempts out of box
Celtic 10 St. Johnstone 0
Total offside
Celtic 1 St. Johnstone 2
Total tackles
Celtic 17 St. Johnstone 16
Won tackles
Celtic 11 St. Johnstone 9
Fouls
Celtic 8 St. Johnstone 1
Total yellow cards
Celtic 0 St. Johnstone 1
Total clearances
Celtic 10 St. Johnstone 43
Headed clearances
Celtic 6 St. Johnstone 16
Duels won
Celtic 36 St. Johnstone 38
Total passes
Celtic 709 St. Johnstone 303
Accurate passes
Celtic 631 St. Johnstone 225
Backward passes
Celtic 106 St. Johnstone 56
Forward passes
Celtic 230 St. Johnstone 116
Total long balls
Celtic 41 St. Johnstone 67
Successful final third passes
Celtic 270 St. Johnstone 16
Total crosses
Celtic 27 St. Johnstone 5
Touches
Celtic 886 St. Johnstone 477
Touches in the box
Celtic 58 St. Johnstone 5
Dispossessed
Celtic 7 St. Johnstone 15
Goalkeeper saves
Celtic 0 St. Johnstone 7
Diving saves
Celtic 0 St. Johnstone 1
Saved shots from inside the box
Celtic 0 St. Johnstone 5
Saved shots from outside the box
Celtic 0 St. Johnstone 2
Keeper throws
Celtic 4 St. Johnstone 3
Goal kicks
Celtic 3 St. Johnstone 25
Punches
Celtic 0 St. Johnstone 1
Articles
‘Here we go, 10 in a row’: Celtic swagger into Rangers clash as Fir Park updates add to procession
By Graeme Macpherson
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/latest-celtic-news/here-we-go-10-in-a-row-celtic-swagger-into-rangers-clash-as-fir-park-updates-add-to-procession-4924799
Comments
Published 29th Dec 2024, 21:07 GMT
Rodgers’ men round off 2024 with win over St Johnstone to increase gap
Only complacency or an unlikely capitulation can stop Celtic now. The champions-elect rounded off a stellar year with another comprehensive and straightforward victory – this time over a beleaguered St Johnstone side – to move 14 points clear at the top of the Premiership table.
It is not a great look for the rest of Scottish football to have the championship all but settled before the Hogmanay celebrations have begun but that is not Celtic’s problem as they reach the end of the year having lost only once in the league, to Hearts back in March.
They had to be patient again here but once the deadlock was broken by Nicolas Kuhn after half an hour it was only a matter of how many. They eventually settled for a second successive 4-0 victory, Kyogo Furuhashi plundering a double and Daizen Maeda claiming the fourth in what was as one-sided an encounter as widely predicted beforehand.
Celtic will now cross the city for Thursday’s derby with a swagger in their step, eager to again put a demoralised Rangers in their place and perhaps push Philippe Clement closer to the exit door in the process.
Daizen Maeda nets in a straightforward 4-0 win over St Johnstone.
Daizen Maeda nets in a straightforward 4-0 win over St Johnstone. | SNS Group
Updates from Fir Park contributed substantially to the feelgood factor during the first half here. Celtic and Rangers don’t play at the same time that often but the schadenfreude was ramped up to the max on this occasion as news quickly circulated that their rivals were one and then two down to Motherwell.
“Here we go, 10 in a row,” sang the jubilant Celtic supporters as their team took another step towards a fourth successive championship and with the resources and squad depth to go on to accumulate several more titles on top of that. The triple substitution made in the second half – bringing on Callum McGregor, Adam Idah and Maeda – served to underline Celtic’s strength in depth. Scotland, once famed for its football duopoly, has undoubtedly become a one-team state.
They had to take care of their own business, too, and duly did so after eventually shattering St Johnstone’s early resistance. Bottom of the table and toiling, the Perth side made no secret of their intentions as they camped in and challenged their hosts to break them down. Just as in the Boxing Day bash with Motherwell, the goals did not come early although it was not due to the lack of trying.
Alistair Johnston and Kuhn, in particular, were wreaking havoc down Celtic’s right flank, with Arne Engels also lively as he shot into the side netting then saw a brace of goalbound bashes well saved by Josh Rae who had a busy afternoon in goals.
It would have been an incredible effort if St Johnstone could have held Celtic at bay in such a fashion for 90 minutes but instead it took just 30 for the dam to be broken. Ironically, the move stemmed from a rare St Johnstone foray forward, Nicky Clark dispossessed and Celtic quickly countering at pace.
On it went from Reo Hatate to Kuhn who cut inside before thumping in a left-foot shot for his 14th goal of a very productive season. Holding on to the mazy dribbling German might be the best bit of business Celtic do in the forthcoming transfer window.
It was as comfortable a first half as Celtic could have hoped for, even if their superiority by that stage wasn’t reflected on the scoreboard. St Johnstone were still in with a puncher’s chance and made a half-time triple change to try to gain a foothold in the contest.
Celtic are in excellent form.
Celtic are in excellent form. | SNS Group
Before they could settle into their new shape, however, the visitors conceded a second and then a third in quick concession to extinguish their last flickering flame. Both were claimed by Furuhashi who had touched the ball just four times in the first half but needed only two to add another brace to his burgeoning tally.
Hatate had a role in the first, clipping a ball over the top for Paulo Bernardo who saw his volley saved by Rae who looked up to see Furuhashi diving to head in the rebound.
St Johnstone knew then that their race was run and Celtic made sure with a third just a few minutes later. Engels curled in an enticing ball from the right and Furuhashi ghosted into position to side foot his finish beyond the goalkeeper.
There was still more pain for the visitors to endure as Maeda made it 4-0 with a neat finish after being played in by Bernardo.
Sensational Celts see out 2024 in style with 4-0 win
https://www.celticfc.com/news/2024/december/29/sensational-celts-see-out-2024-in-style/
First Team
By Matthew Campbell
Share
29 Dec 2024, 5:07 pm
Scottish Premiership
Sunday, December 29, 2024
Celtic Park, Glasgow
CELTIC…4
(Kuhn 30, Kyogo 59 & 64, Maeda 73)
ST JOHNSTONE…0
Celtic saw out 2024 in sensational style at Celtic Park this afternoon as they blew St Johnstone away with a 4-0 hammering thanks to goals from Nicolas Kuhn, Daizen Maeda and a double from Kyogo.
The champions started the match brightly, with Nicolas Kuhn and Alistair Johnston linking up well on the right wing and inspiring a few early chances for the Celts.
Just after the 10-minute mark, Kuhn took the ball on one of his typical mazy runs across the penalty area, dancing past St Johnstone defenders as he went. He was unfortunate not to find space to pull the trigger, but it was indicative of the joy that he was having against the visitors’ defence that he was able to waltz through their entire back-line.
On the opposite wing, the partnership of Alex Valle and Yang was also proving to be fruitful, and with just under 20 minutes played, Valle found Engels in space in the box.
The latter fired a shot towards the top corner, drawing an impressive one-handed save from Josh Rae.
The deadlock was broken just before the half-hour mark in brilliant style, as Reo Hatate burst through the middle of the park with the ball at his feet and sent an excellent pass out to Kuhn.
The winger cut inside towards the penalty area and smashed his shot beyond Rae and in to the back of the net to give the Celts a well-deserved lead.
Just a few moments later, Kuhn almost doubled the lead with a great attempt on goal from outside the box which looked to be curling in to the top corner, however the St Johnstone keeper produced another excellent save to keep it out.
Valle, who had looked lively since kick off, was the next to sting the palms of the visitors’ keeper when he thundered an effort on target from the edge of the area, however it was straight down the throat of the goalkeeper and he was able to push it away to safety.
The chances continued to come for Brendan Rodgers’ men, and the pressure on the St Johnstone defence was relentless in the closing stages of the half.
The visitors would have been relieved to hear the half-time whistle go and, in truth, they probably couldn’t believe that they were only trailing by one goal at half time given the dominance of the Celts in the first 45 minutes.
70%
Possession
30%
30
Shots
1
11
Shots On Target
0
12
Corners
2
8
Fouls
1
0
0
Cards
1
0
Five minutes into the second half, the Hoops had the ball in the net after some nice footwork from Kyogo gave Alistair Johnston the chance to fire the ball across the face of goal.
His attempted cross took a nick off of Kyle Cameron at the near post and crept in to the net, but the goal was ruled out for offside after a VAR check.
The Celts continued to turn the screw on St Johnstone and in the 57th minute, after some lovely build up play between Yang and Hatate, Kuhn flashed an effort across the face of goal which looked like it might nestle in the top corner.
However, just a minute later, the Celtic lead was doubled after Hatate clipped a ball in to the six-yard box where Paulo Bernardo touched an effort towards goal which was saved by Rae.
Kyogo was alert to the rebound, however, and the Japanese striker threw himself at the ball on the goal-line, making it 2-0 to Celtic with a diving header.
Things got even better for the Hoops in the 64th minute when Arne Engels whipped a pinpoint cross in to the penalty area from distance. Once again, Kyogo was lurking and he made no mistake as he tapped it beyond Rae to grab his second goal of the day, make it 3-0 and secure the three points for the champions.
With 73 minutes played, and after Brendan Rodgers had made a few changes, substitute Daizen Maeda made it 4-0 to Celtic as he coolly slotted home in to the bottom corner after a brilliant through ball from Bernardo.
Even with a four-goal lead, Brendan Rodgers’ men continued to push forward, hunting for even more goals as they moved the ball around with class and created a host of chances, forcing Rae into producing more saves to keep the scoreline down.
Today’s victory means that the Celts have their sixth consecutive clean sheet and see out 2024 having only suffered two defeats throughout the calendar year – a fact which surely puts 2024 into the conversation as one of the most impressive and memorable years in the history of the club.
Next up for Brendan Rodgers and the champions is a trip to Ibrox in four days’ time to take on Rangers.
Celtic: Schmeichel, Alistair Johnston (Ralston 74′), Carter-Vickers, Scales, Valle, Engels (McGregor 67′), Paulo Bernardo, Hatate (McCowan 74′), Kühn (Maeda 68′), Kyogo (Idah 68′), Hyunjun Yang
Subs: Taylor, Trusty, Palma, Idah, Sinisalo, McCowan, Maeda, McGregor, Ralston
St. Johnstone: Rae, Sanders (Holt 79′), Cameron, Mikulic, Franczak, Essel (Neilson 45′), Sprangler (Carey 69′), Smith, Raymond, Clark (Sidibeh 45′), Kirk (Kimpioka 45′)
Subs: Neilson, Holt, Carey, Wright, Sidibeh, Kucheriavyi, Sinclair, Kimpioka, Keltjens
BBC
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/clygnp9e8l0t#Report
Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland at Celtic Park
Celtic ended what manager Brendan Rodgers described as one of the most “exceptional years” in their history with a 4-0 thrashing of St Johnstone.
The win extends their domestic unbeaten run this season, having dropped points just twice as they approach the halfway stage of the Scottish Premiership campaign.
“When you look at all the numbers and stats, this will be one of the exceptional years in the history of Celtic,” the manager said.
“It’s great for the supporters, they can see how hard the team is working.”
This outcome widens Celtic’s lead over closest rivals Rangers to 14 points before a trip to Ibrox on Thursday.
“We’re not even at the halfway point but I can only give a huge testament to the players because of the work and the mindset,” Rodgers added.
“They know they’re in a safe place because they know they can lose games. We ask the players to take risks and if they do we know we can lose games in the right way.”
Celtic reaction & have your say
What did you make of St Johnstone’s performance?
Bottom side St Johnstone drop further behind those above, and are now without a win in their past five matches.
It was one-way almost throughout, with Simo Valakari’s visitors initially offering stiff resistance with Cameron Carter-Vickers, Kyogo and Arne Engels all going close.
The opener arrived from a familiar source. Nicolas Kuhn gathered from Reo Hatate then cut inside and, with the goal gaping, he made no mistake.
The German’s return of decisive moments in front of goal has been outstanding this season.
Moments later, Kuhn brought out a wonderful save from Josh Rae as his curling effort sailed towards the top far corner.
St Johnstone made changes at the break and got a response but nothing that would ultimately impact the result. They were pinned back ruthlessly.
Kuhn came close again before Kyogo benefitted from a well-worked corner to nod home from a yard after Rae parried Paulo Bernardo’s flick towards goal.
That was Celtic’s 50th of the league campaign in just 18 games.
Another arrived for the Japanese striker thanks to a beautifully whipped low cross from Engels that left Rae completely exposed as St Johnstone’s fight evaporated.
At that stage they were fighting to keep the score down but substitute Maeda came on and finished after a piercing Bernardo through ball.
Ruthless, once again, from the champions.
Celtic too strong as goals flow again
Another win for Celtic as their domestic dominance shows absolutely no sign of relenting.
With captain Callum McGregor rested along with Maeda it did little to affect the outcome such is the armoury Brendan Rodgers can utilise.
To have breached a half century of goals at the halfway stage of the Premiership really says it all.
They carry such threat and even if, as in this game, there is initial resistance from their opponents, they nearly always find a way.
A trip to play Rangers on 2 January follows and on this form, with the strength of squad they possess, that could be defining.
They are in a fantastic place with everything seemingly going their way.
St Johnstone succumb after initial resistance
It proved another thankless afternoon for Valakari’s side, who find themselves further adrift at the foot of the table.
Not unexpected and perhaps this fixture came at a bad time given confidence is clearly low right now.
For the first third, they produced a stoic, structured performance that restricted Celtic but as they began to tire, their opponents mercilessly overran them.
They were chasing shadows come the end.
They hold the worst defensive record in the Premiership and can take some positives from this but not too many.
With a resurgent Hibernian the visitors next, they need to find some way, any way, to take something from that fixture to avoid becoming detached.
What they said
Media caption,
Rodgers lauds ‘outstanding’ Celtic as they end 2024 with dominant win
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: “You have to always give credit to the other team, but I thought from minute one we were outstanding.
“From the first to the 94th minute I was so pleased with the level, purely from a mentality perspective. We kept going right to the very end.”
St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari: “The opponent was very good. From the first minute until the very last they pushed us. It was very, very difficult.
“The biggest thing we learned is the attitude of these top players. It doesn’t matter who they play, is it the first half or the second half, is the game already won? They keep pushing. If we can learn that it will help us a lot.”