2023-12-03: St Johnstone 1-3 Celtic, SP

Match Pictures | Matches: 2023 – 2024

Trivia

KO: 12:00, Sunday; Sky Sports TV; league match 15
Celtic remain on top on 39pts, 8pts & +7GD ahead of Sevco
People across parts of the UK facing freezing temperatures, with snow and ice warnings. Temperatures dipped to -8C (18F) in parts of Scotland this week and snow had fallen too.
Green Brigade members still suspended from Celtic ticket allocations over recent disputes.
Scottish Cup draw: Celtic to play Highland League side Buckie Thistle in the fourth round! To be played in late January at Celtic Park.
Reo Hatate is unlikely to be involved in the Asian Cup as the Celtic midfielder continues his comeback from injury.
Ex-Celt Chris Sutton worries champions Celtic are losing their “fear factor” at domestic level after a “weak and timid” exit from the Champions League.
Reports: Ex-Celt Jeremie Frimpong who had signed a new contract with Bayer Leverkusen until 2028 has a £34.7m release clause, which would net former club Celtic £6.2m as speculation continues that he will leave the Bundesliga club next summer. It’s been ongoing speculation that he’d make a big money move for a very long time now.
Reports: Celtic rejected a £550,000 bid from Torino for forward Rocco Vata. They don’t consider him for sale in this window. Celtic hope to convince Vata to sign a new deal, but he would like to explore his options elsewhere. Lazio, Verona & Torino all keen on pre-contract.
Reports: David Turnbull being monitored by a number of Italian clubs, including AC Milan, ahead of the January transfer window (few took this story seriously, and later was dismissed).
Music: Shane MacGowan, The Pogues frontman, songwriter and Irish music legend, died aged 65. One of the all-time great bandleaders and writer of Christmas classic Fairytale of New York, MacGowan invigorated rock with the power of Irish folk music. Loved Celtic very much too.
Politics: Former US diplomat Henry Kissenger has passed away aged 100. Few people know this, but he was an honorary member of the New York Celtic Supporters’ Club. Although this is a contentious point as he’s a very divisive person.
Ajax appointed Queen’s Park director of football Marijn Beuker to the same role at the Dutch club!
Ex-Sevco midfielder Joey Barton reveals bets against Celtic played a part in him copping a gambling ban in 2017 and effectively ending his playing career.
Euro 2024 draw: Uefa investigates after sex noises disrupt broadcast; Scotland draw Germany (opening match), Switzerland, Hungary.

Summary

“Second half we came out fighting and showed a bit more desire.”
Mikey Johnston

Brendan Rodgers slams his Celtic players: “I’m still angry, if I’m honest. The first half was nowhere near what you expect from a Celtic player and team. Just the level of intensity and ambition in the game, the speed, we were absolutely nowhere near it. We got bullied for the goal and we were soft in everything, with and without the ball. Half-time was the angriest I’ve ever been as a manager. Some players want to be too comfortable and just do enough. It’s not enough at this club. You have to have that mentality and intensity from that first whistle. The reaction was really good.”

Joebloggscity of thecelticwiki:
A mostly uninspiring game saved by Celtic getting out of jail through some exceptional goals after what was a turgid first half. It’s no exaggeration to say that no Celtic player came off the field in the first half with positive marks, despite some decent chances on goal (e.g. Turnbull shot). Yang in particular got in the neck being repeatedly off side. The St Johnstone goal came from an innocuous corner that created a scramble in the box which should gave seen the ball cleared out but ended up in the back of the net

The unexpected catalysts for the improvement came through Mikey Johnstone and Oh, both of whom provided some spark and touches that helped wear down the opposition. McGregor and O’Riley scored great long range goals to take Celtic into the lead.

However another goalmouth scramble in the Celtic box saw St Johnstone almost steal an equaliser, only for the counter attack creating another goal, this time by Forrest.

David Turnbull very unlucky, scored a goal that was chopped off as Yang who put the cross was offside, and David Turnbull had a brilliant strike yesterday that was very well saved by the St J goalkeeper. Some are arguing that Turnbull & Matt O’Reilly struggle to play together in a side.

Not an easy afternoon to watch Celtic. Poor weather limited numbers attending, and the side still clearly miss Hatate and Abada. This over reliance on Hatate & Kyogo is concerning.

Stevie Jackson@bobby__peru:Awful, predictable, lethargic, unimaginative stuff. As well as not being great we are just a really, really boring team.

Asim Rabbani @asimrabbani Good to see that anger and passion from Rodgers after the game. He’s right that first half wasn’t good enough and of course he takes some blame too but it’s good to see manager being ruthless with his comments lately and less passive. Can only be be good for us going forward

Inside The SPFL@AgentScotland: If Celtic don’t score in the first 20 minutes of a game it becomes a monumental struggle for them, such a basic looking team so far this season.. Celtic have transitioned from a team that broke all sorts of goalscoring records last season to a team who can barely make any good opportunities. 80 year old James Forrest with a zimmer would’ve offered more than Yang in that first half. On Yang- It’s actually impressive how you can be caught offside against a team happy to sit so deep. Oh for Turnbull was the catalyst for that turnaround, the first 60 minutes were so slow & ponderous but after Rodgers brought someone with a physical presence on up top, they could play a bit more direct and looked a far better side for it, three very good goals, 3 better points

Teams

Celtic

Formation 4-3-3

1 Hart
2 Johnston
20 Carter-Vickers
5 Scales
3 Taylor
33 O’Riley
42 McGregor
14 Turnbull Substituted for Oh at 58′minutes
13 Yang Substituted for Johnston at 45′minutes
8 Furuhashi Booked at 79mins Substituted for Iwata at 85′minutes
7 Palma Substituted for Forrest at 80′minutes

Substitutes

6 Phillips
15 Holm
19 Oh
24 Iwata
28 Gonçalves Bernardo
29 Bain
49 Forrest
56 Ralston
90 Johnston

Goals:

McGregor (67′ minutes),
O’Riley (79′ minutes),
Forrest (90’+3 minutes)

Assists:

Furuhashi (79′ minutes),
Iwata (90’+3 minutes)

St Johnstone

Formation 4-4-1-1

1 Mitov Booked at 79mins
2 Brown
5 McGowan Booked at 13mins
6 Gordon
19 Robinson
15 Kucheryavyi Substituted for Turner-Cooke at 73′minutes
34 Phillips
11 Carey
44 Costelloe Substituted for May at 87′minutes
22 Smith
13 Jaiyesimi Substituted for Kane at 73′minutes

Substitutes

7 May
9 Kane
16 Jephcott
17 Olufunwa
23 Sprangler
25 Ballantyne
27 Turner-Cooke
31 Richards
46 Franczak

Goals:

Jaiyesimi (40′ minutes)

Assists:

Ref: Don Robertson
Att:

Articles

Match Report (see below)

Pictures

Match Pictures

Match Links

Stats

St Johnstone
Celtic

Possession: Home30%; Away70%

Shots: Home5; Away25

Shots on Target: Home3; Away7

Corners: Home2; Away12

Fouls: Home8; Away7

Articles

Celtic continue to live dangerously after indolent spell that sends out some alarm bells

https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/hibs/celtic-continue-to-live-dangerously-after-indolent-spell-that-sends-out-some-alarm-bells-4431929
The champions continue good Perth form but standards need to be maintained
Andrew Smith
By Andrew Smith
Published 3rd Dec 2023, 16:58 GMT
Updated 3rd Dec 2023, 16:59 GMT

Celtic’s spell of living dangerously continued even as they racked up a 14th straight victory within the confines of McDiarmid Park.

A sequence at St Johnstone’s home that stretches back seven-and-a-half years looked under genuine threat – as with Brendan Rodgers’ record of never enduring a three-game winless run across two spells totalling three years – with the Scottish champions indolent, indecisive and generally insipid across the opening period that left them trailing to a 40th-minute Daillang Jaiyesimi goal.

Indeed, all that and more for their manager. Evidenced by the fact that even after they were spared by sumptuous hits from Callum McGregor and Matt O’Riley in the 67th and 83rd minutes, the Irishman was still seething. So unwilling to countenance the absence of conviction as they proved “soft” and were “bullied” in being breached for the opener, the 50-year-old claimed it left him angrier than he had ever been as a coach when it came to delivering a half-time, strip-paint-from-the-walls dressing room home truths.

The truth is Celtic look vulnerable to any opponent that prove astute in setting out to clamp them down in the final third and get up close and personal in their duels. Across the initial 45 minutes, Craig Levein’s men did both to great effect, the latter facet instrumental in Celtic’s duffing up as they attempted to defend a Graham Carey corner five minutes from the break. Big style. O’Riley initially had a fresh-air swipe when attempting to clear, before Joe Hart then failed to connect with a punch as he seemed blocked by own team-mate Greg Taylor. That gave way to O’Riley scuffing at the ball when looking to knock it away, only for it to hit the prostate Jaiyesimi and dribble in.

Rodgers’s bid to change the pattern meant Mikey Johnston appearing for the ineffectual Yang Hyun-jun at the interval, before Oh Hyeon-gyu replaced David Turnbull just before the hour. Frankly, Turnbull was no more off it than McGregor or O’Riley, but the pair justified being retained to turn the contest on its head. In the 67th minute the Celtic captain took it upon himself to provide the leadership required when he pounced on a James Brown header to the edge of the box, slamming his foot down on the ball to send a fizzing drive whistling past Dimitar Mitov.

For the spectacular, O’Riley’s 83rd-minute effort eclipsed this strike. A sweeping move that involved Alastair Johnston ferrying the ball up the left before his winger namesake cutely back-flicked the ball for Kyogo Furuahashi to tee him up then concluding with the Danish international sending a piledriver into the top corner.

The 93rd minute denouement allowed for sheen to be placed on the outcome that was rough on the Perth side, Hart pushing away a header from Jay Turner-Cooke before the ball broke to the other end and Tomoki Iwata squared for Forrest to take a touch and curl in with the outside of his foot.

Celtic won’t always be able to conjure up three moments of scoring brilliance to paper over cracks evident in their general level of play. Rodgers knows that, and the upshot of that is plasterwork on the dressing rooms within top flight grounds may not be secure over the coming months.

Livid Brendan Rodgers slams his Celtic players – ‘the angriest I’ve ever been as a manager’

https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/hibs/livid-brendan-rodgers-slams-his-celtic-players-the-angriest-ive-ever-been-as-a-manager-4431873
The champions overcame St Johnstone but the first-half display left a lot to be desired
Andrew Smith
By Andrew Smith
Published 3rd Dec 2023, 15:01 GMT
Updated 3rd Dec 2023, 15:02 GMT

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers revealed his team’s inept opening 45-minute showing in the clubs’ eventual 3-1 Premiership win away to St Johnstone led to him losing his temper in a half-time as never before in his near two-decade coaching career.

Labelling his players unforgivably “soft” as they found themselves a goal down, the Northern Irishman refused to brush over such shortcomings just because five-star finishes from Callum McGregor and Matt O’Riley underpinned a comeback over the closing quarter of the confrontation sealed with a 93rd-strike by James Forrest.

“I’m still angry, if I’m honest,” said the Cetic manager to begin his assessment of the afternoon for his side. “The first half was nowhere near what you expect from a Celtic player and team. Just the level of intensity and ambition in the game, the speed, we were absolutely nowhere near it. We got bullied for the goal and we were soft in everything, with and without the ball. Half-time was the angriest I’ve ever been as a manager.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers congratulates Callum McGregor at full-time after the win over St Johnstone.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers congratulates Callum McGregor at full-time after the win over St Johnstone.

“People who have been around me will know I’m normally very calm. It was nothing tactical; this was about desire and what it takes to play for this club. Thankfully in the second half the players were brilliant. Callum McGregor was outstanding, and I got more of the energy and ambition that I want.

“[But the reaction] was what I expected in the first half. We’d gone a game and a half and not scored, with the greatest of respect, against St Johnstone. Craig [Levein] had organised his team well and they got their goal from the set-piece that we were soft at. I expect much more from us. Second half, it was a real testament to the players, because they could have folded and been nervy, but they got to the level I demand from them. They were fantastic goals and we could have had more. It’s a reminder that if you go soft, if you go timid against any team, they can hurt you.”

Pushed on what he felt were the reasons behind the sorry opening half showing, he effectively suggested complacency. “It’s comfort,” Rodgers said. “It’s the biggest pitfall in succeeding, that you become timid and lose your aggression. It’s easily done, but it’s my job to guard against it. It was just nowhere near the level.”

“I said to the players afterwards, don’t make me be like that again. Don’t ever make me feel I have to get to that level. My teams will normally be front-foot, demanding and constant, but that’s not acceptable. No matter what success they have had over the last couple of years, there is a demand at this club to continually succeed. Yes, we’re missing players and dynamic players but in the second half you see the levels they can get to.”

Celtic survive late fright to see off St Johnstone

https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2023/1203/1419881-celtic-survive-late-fright-to-see-off-st-johnstone/
Updated / Sunday, 3 Dec 2023 14:27
Callum McGregor opened the scoring for Celtic
Callum McGregor opened the scoring for Celtic

Celtic survived a stoppage-time scare as they came from behind to beat St Johnstone 3-1 in Perth.

Celtic trailed to Diallang Jaiyesimi’s first goal for St Johnstone at half-time after failing to deal with an inswinging corner for the second weekend running – Motherwell netted a late equaliser at Parkhead from the same source.

Craig Levein again threatened to mastermind Brendan Rodgers’ first league defeat as Celtic manager as the Hoops took their time to get back in the game. Levein was manager of Hearts when the Jambos ended Rodgers’ 69-match unbeaten domestic start to his first Celtic reign in December 2017.

But Callum McGregor netted with a powerful strike in the 67th minute and Matt O’Riley hit his seventh cinch Premiership goal of the season 11 minutes later when he finished brilliantly from 22 yards.

The final outcome though hinged on two incidents in time added on. Saints substitute Jay Turner-Cooke headed off the post from seven yards before Celtic broke seconds later and Tomoki Iwata squared for fellow sub James Forrest to guide the ball home.

Celtic had looked set to sweep Saints aside in a dominant start. Kyogo Furuhashi and O’Riley could not make the most of decent chances in the penalty box inside the first six minutes.

Centre-forward Jaiyesimi, making only his third Saints appearance, forced a save from Joe Hart from the hosts’ attack after holding off Liam Scales but Celtic continued to press.

David Turnbull saw a goal disallowed after a clear offside against Yang Hyun-jun and the former Motherwell midfielder was soon denied by a brilliant diving stop from Dimitar Mitov after turning on to his left foot on the edge of the box.
Diallang Jaiyesimi put St Johnstone ahead

Saints grew into the game and put Celtic under a bit more pressure in the final third before taking advantage of Graham Carey’s inswinging corner.

O’Riley could only knock the initial contact back towards goal and, after several players competed for the ball on the line, the midfielder’s next attempted clearance bounced off Jaiyesimi and spun in.

Hart claimed for a foul but referee Don Robertson had seen no foul and his view was backed by video assistant referee Kevin Clancy.

Mikey Johnston came on for Yang at half-time but there was another scare for Celtic when Cameron Carter-Vickers took a poor touch in his box. Carey shot first-time into the side net.

McGregor opened the Saints defence with a through ball to Furuhashi but Mitov was out quickly to block the Japan striker’s shot.

Oh Hyeon-gyu came on for Turnbull and the South Korean striker played a key role in the equaliser nine minutes later.

Oh controlled Johnston’s low cross at the near post and backheeled the ball across the face of goal. Mitov palmed it out and James Brown’s clearing header fell invitingly for McGregor, who drilled home first time from 16 yards.

McGregor had a long-range effort saved before Celtic went in front after taking advantage of a rare chance to catch St Johnstone on the back foot after winning the ball following a home throw. Furuhashi laid the ball off to O’Riley, who took a touch and smashed a shot with his weaker, right foot high into the net from 22 yards.

Forrest replaced the injured the injured Luis Palma and quickly forced a good parry from Mitov before having the final say.

BBC

By Nick McPheatBBC Scotland

Last updated on

1 hour ago1 hour ago.From the section Scottish Premiership
St Johnstone v Celtic
Matt O’Riley’s stunning finish capped a fine move and put Celtic ahead

Three goals in 26 second-half minutes ensured Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic fought back from a goal down at St Johnstone to extend their advantage to 11 points.

Matt O’Riley’s sensational strike arrowed into the net just 12 minutes after Callum McGregor’s fierce drive from the edge of the box had eventually broken down the resolute backline of a home side who were well worth their first-half lead.

Celtic’s slack play before the break encouraged St Johnstone, who took one of the few chances that fell their way when questionable goalkeeping from Joe Hart and weak defending allowed Diallang Jaiyesimi to force in after an almighty scramble.

But Hart redeemed himself by clawing out a close-range Jay Turner-Cooke header in stoppage time, which started an instant counter-attack that ended with James Forrest coolly dispatching a third for the visitors.

Everything you need to know about St Johnstone
The latest Celtic news, views & analysis

The victory stretches Celtic’s unbeaten league start to 15 games, while Craig Levein’s men remain 11th, one point clear of bottom spot.

Brendan Rodgers expected a reaction from his players as their midweek European exit in Rome followed a home draw with Motherwell last weekend.

And it looked like the Celtic manager was going to get that as his side started brightly, with Kyogo Furuhashi blasting over before O’Riley failed to connect with a sliding effort at close range.

Sloppiness from the leaders fuelled the hosts with hope, though, and they had something to hold on to when on-loan Charlton man Jaiyesimi opened his St Johnstone account shortly after being denied from close range.

But, aside from that late Turner-Cooke header, Levein’s side offered little in an attacking sense after the interval as the introductions of Mikey Johnston and Oh Hyeon-gyu helped Celtic avoid a scare and turn the game in their favour.
Player of the match – Callum McGregor (Celtic)
Callum McGregor
Second-half substitutes Johnston and Oh deserve mentions, as does O’Riley, but captain McGregor drove his side on to a crucial victory after scoring his first goal of the season
Mitov magnificent as Rodgers’ stern words prompt response – analysis

Levein has to take credit for St Johnstone’s first-half approach. His decision to start without a recognised striker would have prompted 4-6-0 jokes, but the game plan worked to a tee in the opening period.

Turner-Cooke’s late header perhaps suggests that the home side should have given it more of a go after the break, but Levein can rest in the knowledge that he has a very, very good goalkeeper in Dimitar Mitov.

A fantastic first-half save from a bending David Turnbull shot was bettered by a phenomenal close-range block to deny Kyogo, who was offside anyway.

But, despite that stunning late stop in the opposite goal, questions will continue to be asked about Hart as Celtic’s man between the sticks again looked far from convincing for St Johnstone’s opener.

In fairness, the former England keeper was one of many performing below par for Celtic in the first half, but Rodgers’ stern half-time words prompted a reaction from his key men.

The comeback win means Celtic remain unbeaten in their first 15 league matches for the first time since 2017-18 – also under Rodgers, whose side went on to win the Premiership by nine points that season.

Match ends, St. Johnstone 1, Celtic 3.
90’+6′

Full Time

Second Half ends, St. Johnstone 1, Celtic 3.

90’+5′

Post update

Attempt missed. Matt O’Riley (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Alistair Johnston with a cross.
90’+3′
Goal!

Goal! St. Johnstone 1, Celtic 3. James Forrest (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Tomoki Iwata following a fast break.
90’+3′

Post update

Attempt saved. Jay Turner-Cooke (St. Johnstone) header from very close range is saved in the bottom right corner.
90’+1′

Post update

Foul by Liam Scales (Celtic).
90’+1′

Post update

Chris Kane (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
90′

Post update

Attempt missed. Mikey Johnston (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Greg Taylor.
89′

Post update

Liam Scales (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
89′

Post update

Foul by Chris Kane (St. Johnstone).
89′

Post update

Cameron Carter-Vickers (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
89′

Post update

Foul by Stevie May (St. Johnstone).
88′

Post update

Attempt missed. James Forrest (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses the top right corner. Assisted by Callum McGregor following a corner.
88′

Post update

Attempt missed. Liam Scales (Celtic) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Mikey Johnston with a cross following a corner.
88′

Post update

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Jay Turner-Cooke.
87′

Substitution

Substitution, St. Johnstone. Stevie May replaces Dara Costelloe because of an injury.
86′

Post update

Delay over. They are ready to continue.
85′

Substitution

Substitution, Celtic. Tomoki Iwata replaces Kyogo Furuhashi.
84′

Post update

Delay in match because of an injury Dara Costelloe (St. Johnstone).
83′

Post update

Attempt missed. Kyogo Furuhashi (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Liam Scales following a corner.

82′

Post update

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Ryan McGowan.
82′

Post update

Attempt blocked. Matt O’Riley (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Callum McGregor.

81′

Post update

Alistair Johnston (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
81′

Post update

Foul by Daniel Phillips (St. Johnstone).
81′

Post update

Attempt saved. James Forrest (Celtic) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Matt O’Riley.
80′

Post update

Delay over. They are ready to continue.
80′

Substitution

Substitution, Celtic. James Forrest replaces Luis Palma because of an injury.
80′

Post update

Delay in match because of an injury Luis Palma (Celtic).
79′

Booking

Dimitar Mitov (St. Johnstone) is shown the yellow card.
79′

Booking

Kyogo Furuhashi (Celtic) is shown the yellow card.
79′
Goal!

Goal! St. Johnstone 1, Celtic 2. Matt O’Riley (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box to the top right corner. Assisted by Kyogo Furuhashi.
76′

Post update

Attempt saved. Callum McGregor (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
75′

Post update

Attempt missed. Callum McGregor (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is too high following a corner.
75′

Post update

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Luke Robinson.
74′

Post update

Luis Palma (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
74′

Post update

Dangerous play by Jay Turner-Cooke (St. Johnstone).
73′

Substitution

Substitution, St. Johnstone. Chris Kane replaces Diallang Jaiyesimi.
73′

Substitution

Substitution, St. Johnstone. Jay Turner-Cooke replaces Max Kucheryavyi.
72′

Post update

Offside, Celtic. Callum McGregor is caught offside.
72′

Post update

Oh Hyeon-Gyu (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

72′

Post update

Foul by Daniel Phillips (St. Johnstone).
67′
Goal!

Goal! St. Johnstone 1, Celtic 1. Callum McGregor (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner.

66′

Post update

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Dimitar Mitov.
64′

Post update

Offside, Celtic. Greg Taylor is caught offside.
63′

Post update

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Daniel Phillips.
62′

Post update

Attempt blocked. Cameron Carter-Vickers (Celtic) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Mikey Johnston with a cross.
62′

Post update

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Luke Robinson.
62′

Post update

Attempt blocked. Oh Hyeon-Gyu (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Matt O’Riley with a cross.
61′

Post update

Delay over. They are ready to continue.
61′

Post update

Delay in match because of an injury Graham Carey (St. Johnstone).
60′

Post update

Foul by Cameron Carter-Vickers (Celtic).
60′

Post update

Diallang Jaiyesimi (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
58′

Substitution

Substitution, Celtic. Oh Hyeon-Gyu replaces David Turnbull.
57′

Post update

Foul by Alistair Johnston (Celtic).
57′

Post update

Dara Costelloe (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
56′

Post update

Matt O’Riley (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
56′

Post update

Foul by Graham Carey (St. Johnstone).
54′

Post update

Attempt saved. Kyogo Furuhashi (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Callum McGregor with a through ball.
53′

Post update

Attempt blocked. Matt O’Riley (Celtic) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Luis Palma with a cross.
53′

Post update

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Luke Robinson.

52′

Post update

Attempt missed. Callum McGregor (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Luis Palma.
51′

Post update

Attempt missed. Graham Carey (St. Johnstone) left footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses the top left corner.

49′

Post update

Offside, Celtic. Alistair Johnston is caught offside.
Second Half

Second Half begins St. Johnstone 1, Celtic 0.
45′

Substitution

Substitution, Celtic. Mikey Johnston replaces Yang Hyun-Jun.
45’+4′

Half Time

First Half ends, St. Johnstone 1, Celtic 0.
45’+1′

Post update

Offside, Celtic. Alistair Johnston is caught offside.
44′

Post update

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Ryan McGowan.
44′

Post update

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Matt Smith.
44′

Post update

Attempt blocked. Luis Palma (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Alistair Johnston.
42′

Post update

Offside, St. Johnstone. Matt Smith is caught offside.
40′
Goal!

Goal! St. Johnstone 1, Celtic 0. Diallang Jaiyesimi (St. Johnstone) right footed shot from very close range to the bottom left corner following a corner.
39′

Post update

Corner, St. Johnstone. Conceded by Greg Taylor.
38′

Post update

Attempt blocked. Kyogo Furuhashi (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Matt O’Riley.
37′

Post update

Attempt missed. Liam Scales (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high following a corner.
36′

Post update

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Luke Robinson.
34′

Post update

Foul by Luis Palma (Celtic).
34′

Post update

Graham Carey (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
33′

Post update

Offside, Celtic. Liam Scales is caught offside.
32′

Post update

Delay over. They are ready to continue.

31′

Post update

Delay in match because of an injury Graham Carey (St. Johnstone).
29′

Post update

Attempt missed. Liam Gordon (St. Johnstone) header from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Graham Carey with a cross following a corner.

28′

Post update

Corner, St. Johnstone. Conceded by Cameron Carter-Vickers.
26′

Post update

Foul by Cameron Carter-Vickers (Celtic).
26′

Post update

Max Kucheryavyi (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick on the left wing.
25′

Post update

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Dimitar Mitov.
25′

Post update

Attempt saved. David Turnbull (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top left corner. Assisted by Luis Palma.
24′

Post update

Attempt missed. David Turnbull (Celtic) right footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the right.
19′

Post update

Offside, Celtic. Alistair Johnston is caught offside.
18′

Post update

Foul by Callum McGregor (Celtic).
18′

Post update

Matt Smith (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
17′

Post update

Attempt saved. Diallang Jaiyesimi (St. Johnstone) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Max Kucheryavyi with a headed pass.
16′

Post update

Foul by Alistair Johnston (Celtic).
16′

Post update

Graham Carey (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
13′

Post update

Offside, Celtic. Luis Palma is caught offside.
13′

Booking

Ryan McGowan (St. Johnstone) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
12′

Post update

Luis Palma (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.
12′

Post update

Foul by Ryan McGowan (St. Johnstone).
11′

Post update

Offside, Celtic. David Turnbull is caught offside.
10′

Post update

Attempt blocked. Luis Palma (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.

8′

Post update

Luis Palma (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
8′

Post update

Foul by Daniel Phillips (St. Johnstone).

6′

Post update

Attempt missed. Matt O’Riley (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Yang Hyun-Jun with a cross.
4′

Post update

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Luke Robinson.
1′

Post update

Attempt missed. Kyogo Furuhashi (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Luis Palma.
Kick Off

First Half begins.
Posted at 11:00

Post update

Lineups are announced and players are warming up.

Joebloggscity of thecelticwiki:

A mostly uninspiring game saved by Celtic getting out of jail through some exceptional goals after what was a turgid first half. It’s no exaggeration to say that no Celtic player came off the field in the first half with positive marks, despite some decent chances on goal (e.g. Turnbull shot). Yang in particular got in the neck being repeatedly off side. The St Johnstone goal came from an innocuous corner that created a scramble in the box which should gave seen the ball cleared out but ended up in the back of the net

However another goalmouth scramble in the Celtic box saw St Johnstone almost steal an equaliser, only for the counter attack creating another goal, this time by Forrest.

Not an easy afternoon to watch Celtic. Poor weather limited numbers attending, and the side still clearly miss Hatate and Abada. This over reliance on Hatate & Kyogo is concerning.

Teams

Celtic

Formation 4-3-3

1Hart
2Johnston
20Carter-Vickers
5Scales
3Taylor
33O’Riley
42McGregor
14Turnbull
Substituted forOhat 58′minutes
13Yang
Substituted forJohnstonat 45′minutes
8FuruhashiBooked at 79mins
Substituted forIwataat 85′minutes
7Palma

Substituted forForrestat 80′minutes

Substitutes

6Phillips
15Holm
19Oh
24Iwata
28Gonçalves Bernardo
29Bain
49Forrest
56Ralston
90Johnston

Goals:

McGregor (67′ minutes),
O’Riley (79′ minutes),
Forrest (90’+3 minutes)

Assists:

Furuhashi (79′ minutes),
Iwata (90’+3 minutes)

St Johnstone

Formation 4-4-1-1

1MitovBooked at 79mins
2Brown
5McGowanBooked at 13mins
6Gordon
19Robinson
15Kucheryavyi
Substituted forTurner-Cookeat 73′minutes
34Phillips
11Carey
44Costelloe
Substituted forMayat 87′minutes
22Smith
13Jaiyesimi

Substituted forKaneat 73′minutes

Substitutes

7May
9Kane
16Jephcott
17Olufunwa
23Sprangler
25Ballantyne
27Turner-Cooke
31Richards
46Franczak

Goals:

Jaiyesimi (40′ minutes)

Assists:

Ref: Don Robertson
Att:

Articles

Match Report (see below)

Pictures

Match Pictures

Match Links

Prior
Match
Post
MoTM

Stats

St Johnstone
Celtic

Possession: Home30%; Away70%

Shots: Home5; Away25

Shots on Target: Home3; Away7

Corners: Home2; Away12

Fouls: Home8; Away7