“Mika Baur breaks the deadlock, finishing off a Haissem Hassan assist to put Celtic ahead just after a string of St. Johnstone resistance.”
Pivotal“Mika Baur is booked for handball in stoppage time, a small blemish as Celtic saw out the closing stages of their win.”
St. Johnstone
Celtic
Outstanding performance
St. Johnstone•GoalkeeperCeltic dominated territorially and statistically, racking up 60% possession, 15 shots to St. Johnstone's 9, and a commanding 11-2 corner advantage, but the game stayed goalless until the 52nd minute when Mika Baur pounced after St. Johnstone failed to clear their lines from a Callum McGregor effort. From there Celtic managed the game comfortably, making wholesale changes from the 63rd minute onward as they protected their lead without ever looking troubled. St. Johnstone battled hard defensively, making 12 tackles and forcing 8 saves from Celtic, but created little of note themselves with just one big chance all match. For Celtic, the win keeps the pressure on at the top of the table, while St. Johnstone will be encouraged by their defensive resilience despite sitting in a relegation-threatened zone.
Enes Alic takes a left-footed shot but misses.
James Forrest takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
Substitution: Kai Fotheringham comes on for Taylor Steven.
Danny Schmidt is substituted on for Josh Campbell.
On comes James Forrest, off goes Sebastian Tounekti.
Camilo Duran is substituted for Haissem Hassan.
Corner awarded.
Haissem Hassan's left-footed shot is saved.
Offside.
Reece McAlearYellow CardReece McAlear receives a yellow card.
Offside.
Substitution: Benjamin Nygren comes on for Oliver Sorensen.
On comes Ruari Paton, off goes Josh Fowler.
On comes Sam Stanton, off goes Jason Holt.
Josh Fowler takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Sebastian Tounekti takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Corner awarded.
Josh Campbell receives a yellow card.
Mika BaurMika Baur takes a shot with his right foot and scores.
assist: Haissem Hassan
Goal! Mika Baur scores to make it 1-0, assisted by Haissem Hassan.
Callum McGregor takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Taylor Steven takes a left-footed shot, but it is saved.
The first half ends with a score of 0-0.
Corner awarded.
Enes Alic takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Taylor Steven takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Josh Fowler takes a shot with his head, but it misses the target.
Corner awarded.
Taylor Steven takes a left-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Corner awarded.
Callum McGregor takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Oliver Sorensen takes a shot with his head, but it is blocked.
Corner awarded.
Joel Cotterill takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Haissem Hassan's left-footed shot is saved.
Kick-off has occurred!
How entertaining was this match?
St Johnstone ride a confidence-boosting win over Hibs into a stiff test against runaway league leaders Celtic. Simo Valakari's men sit a respectable seventh, but Celtic's flawless start makes them heavy favourites at McDiarmid Park.
