2021-10-23: Celtic 2-0 St Johnstone, SP

Match Pictures | Matches: 2021 – 2022

Trivia

KO: 15:00 Saturday; not on TV; Celtic TV PPV @£13
First game that Celtic have allowed to be shown on PPV for a 3pm game at Celtic Park. Available to anywhere EXCEPT England (due to agreed broadcast restrictions on a Saturday at 3pm).
Despite being last season’s golden team in Scotland (double cup winners), St Johnstone have had a tougher start to this season.
Debut start for Giakoumakis who scored too! No Bolingoli which surprised some as he had a very good game last week.
Mikey Johnstone continues return and doing fine.
Players all had ‘Show Racism the Red card’ badge on their jerseys.
CCV was booked in altercation in which he was punched and kicked. He was booked for it as was St Johnstone player but should have been red for the St Johnstone player!
Ref today was Nick Walsh. Kept a St Johnstone man on who had 2 kicks at a Celtic player on the ground then threw a loose punch at him. Fired the players and the crowd up, resulting in a penalty that he had to give (it was a def penalty), he was in danger of losing control of the game at that point. Disgrace

Celtic Supporters Trust: have launched a bid to get the club to ask Uefa to “investigate the process under which a UEFA licence for Rangers FC PLC was granted in 2011 by the SFA to the potential cost of Celtic share value”. The matter is back on the agenda despite appearing to have been settled.
Hibs: ending producing a paper matchday program. Sign of the times, but a lot of sighs from across Scottish football knowing this is the start of a greater decline for that tradition.
Ex-Celt Jozo Simunovic: After long time out, he’s signed a deal with Croatian side HNK Gorica. Good luck.
Reports: Celtic have reportedly made contact with the representatives of Gremio defensive midfielder Fernando Henrique ahead of a potential move this January. The 20 year old has played sixteen times for Gremio this season & has two caps for Brazil U20.
Reports: Striker Daizen Maeda ready to follow Ange to Celtic from Yokohama F Marino.
Just over a month from leaving Celtic, Dom McKay is back in sport as interim chairman of the European Professional Club Rugby. Good luck to him.
Karamoko Dembele admits there have been “problems” with his injury as he attempts to play his first game of the season. However, the Hoops winger is also promising to be “back on the field soon” as he fights back from the injury he sustained in a pre-season game
T20 Cricket World Cup: Scotland reach main draw of the T20 World Cup for the first time; defeated Oman, PNG & Bangladesh to get there. Now playing NZ, Ind, Pak, Afghan and one other side TBD.

Covid

Numbers rising in the UK again apparently!

Summary

Worst officiating in a game in a long time, they could’ve had a few sent off with a better ref. Good that Giakoumakis is off the mark with a goal on his first start, Juranovic on pens from now on, 2 in 2. Best fans in the world digging deep for the food drive, onward we go

(wolifebhoy of KDS):
I thought it was a very good performance today, I didn’t understand all the negativity in the match thread.
For the first 15-20 minutes, St.Johnstone tried to have a go. They tried to push forward but it was us that forced them back. They couldn’t get out. Towards the end of the first half they had a chance to break and they didn’t have the legs. Just like on Tuesday, we made the team work so hard defending that they didn’t have the energy to break at speed.

We controlled possession and I thought we had a lot of crisp passing inside and outside of the box. Not a huge amount of clear cut chances but I think that was mostly down to luck. We were doing the right thing. Well, luck and piss-poor crossing. Ralston and Juranovic were expecially guilty of this. I’d exclude Jota from this who got to the byline and put in some very dangerous balls on a couple of occassions. Also Johnston put in some dangerous balls but he had a lot more time and space to do so as St.Johnstone were done when he came on.

McGregor was excellent in midfield. The defence was solid though Starfelt is the one that concerns me. He didn’t have a bad game, just that he always feels like he has a mistake in him.

MOTM was Jota. This bhoy is a find. We should enjoy him while he’s here. I’ll be surprised if it’s beyond next season. Not a downer, not being a killjoy, just enjoying a top player in the Hoops.

I also liked the look of Giakoumakis. I like that we now have different options. No more firing crosses into Kyogo. We have a real target. Finished his goal really well and great to see a Celtic striker in that position.

Biggest difference for me today? I wasn’t sweating at 1-0. We were in total control. Of course, we can always do something stupid today but I wasn’t expecting it or even thinking there was a decent chance. It’s been ages where I’ve been comfortable with a single goal lead. Changed days.

@bhoysanaltics: I do think avoiding getting carried away with that performance is necessary. Couldn’t create from open play or get service to Giakoumakis. Less crosses than usual didn’t help. Relied on a really poor error to break them. Defensively very comfortable at leastThe question is why can’t we break these low blocks more effectively and create more chances.

Teams

Celtic:

Formation 4-3-315Hart56Ralston20Carter-Vickers4Starfelt88Juranovic18Rogic42McGregor14Turnbull8Furuhashi7Giakoumakis17Neves Filipe

15Hart
56Ralston
20Carter-VickersBooked at 77mins
4Starfelt
88Juranovic
18Rogic
42McGregor
14Turnbull
8Furuhashi Substituted forAbadaat 81’minutes
7GiakoumakisSubstituted forJohnstonat 61’minutes
17Neves Filipe Substituted forAjetiat 86’minutes

Substitutes

6Bitton
10Ajeti
11Abada
19Johnston
29Bain
54Montgomery
57Welsh

Goals:Giakoumakis (34′ minutes), Juranovic (80′ minutes pen) Assists:Ralston (34′ minutes)

St Johnstone

Formation 3-4-31Clark25Ambrose6Gordon4McCart2Brown18MacPherson13Bryson24Booth14Middleton9Kane10Wotherspoon

1Clark
25AmbroseBooked at 79mins
6GordonBooked at 79mins
4McCart
2Brown
18MacPherson Booked at 29mins
13Bryson Booked at 55mins
24Booth
14Middleton Substituted forCrawfordat 63’minutes
9Kane Booked at 77minsSubstituted forVertainenat 85’minutes
10Wotherspoon Substituted forMayat 70’minutes

Substitutes

3Devine
7May
12Parish
16Muller
17Vertainen
21Crawford
26Craig

Ref:Nick Walsh
Att: 58000 (although a lot of empty seats, mid-term break? weather, covid?)

Articles

Match Report (see below)

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Celtic

Away Team

St Johnstone

PossessionHome79%Away21%

ShotsHome20Away4

Shots on TargetHome5Away0

CornersHome7Away3

FoulsHome6Away10

Articles

The story of Celtic’s 2-0 win over St Johnstone: Ange Postecoglou’s men are becoming a team supposed to be beyond them

Celtic’s world has turned in a manner considered unimaginable six weeks ago. By Andrew Smith Saturday, 23rd October 2021, 6:53 pm https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/the-story-of-celtics-2-0-win-over-st-johnstone-ange-postecoglous-men-are-becoming-a-team-supposed-to-be-beyond-them-3430703

Then, Ange Postecoglou was being told by all and sundry his defence was not fit for purpose and would stymie his lofty ambitions for the attack-minded football.

A number of interesting sidelines emerged from the 2-0 victory that Celtic secured at home to a camped-in St Johnstone they largely reduced to bystanders. Celtic now possess the best defensive record in the cinch Premiership in conceding only six times in their 10 games – a total they share with high-flying Dundee United. Moreover, with their 2-0 triumph over Ferencvaros in the Europa League on Tuesday, they have now clocked up three straight successes by this scoreline. Sign up to our Football newsletter

Not once was their goal threatened by a visiting Perth team that sought to squeeze the life out of Celtic but only succeeded in becoming sitting ducks. Celtic didn’t merely enjoy 80% possession. After feeling their way into the contest, they enjoyed 100% control. This command and discipline has now been evident across their 2-0 sequence – which began with the victory by that margin to Motherwell at Fir Park last weekend.

There is a patience and assurance developing within Celtic’s play that revolves around them trusting themselves to tire out opponents with their keep-ball and probing. It meant early stretches of their latest encounter were hardly thrill-a-minute but it is no co-incidence that, as with Ferencvaros, it gave way to a chancefest in the final 15 minutes.

Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou mixed his team and his growing midas touch was reflected in the afternoon enjoyed by Giorgos Giakoumakis on his long-awaited first start in Celtic colours, following his deadline day arrival in £2.5m move from VVV Venlo.

The bustling striker’s inclusion meant Kyogo Furuhashi moving to wide right from a central role, which allowed Postecoglou to rest the increasingly tired-looking Liel Abada. Furuhashi’s potency and influence, captured in his return of nine goals, is blunted when utilising him further from goal. But Giakoumakis balanced that equation by showing his predatory instinct to sharply turn in from point-blank range a driven-in cross from the right by Anthony Ralston. The Celtic right-back showed good presence of mind to thump the ball over first-time with precision when Callum Booth failed to connect with an attempted clearance. A deflected Josip Juranovic foxing the wing-back when it bounced in front of him.

It was the uncertain defensive moment St Johnstone couldn’t afford with their smothering strategy. From then, they never looked like doing anything else but losing by a greater margin from that point. So it proved with Liam Gordon clattering Furuhashi as he burrowed into the box in the 79th minute, the Japanese attacker by then restored to a central striking role with Giakoumakis withdrawn after an hour. Juranovic sent Zander Clark the wrong way to ensure that Celtic continue on the right track with a fourth straight win. A sequence that will be tested when they face Hibs at Easter Road on Wednesday.

Celtic: Hart; Ralston, Carter-Vickers, Starfelt, Juranovic; McGregor; Furuhashi (Abada 81), Turnbull, Rogic, Jota (Ajeti 86), Giakoumakis (Johnston 60). Subs: Bain, Bitton, Montgomery, Welsh.

St Johnstone: Clark; Ambrose, Gordon, McCart; Brown, Bryson, MacPherson, Booth; Middleton (Crawford 63); Kane (Vertainen 85), Wotherspoon (May 70). Subs: Parish, Devine, Muller, Craig.

Celtic first time scorer Giorgos Giakoumakis makes goal pledge after experiencing the “beautiful” https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/celtic-first-time-scorer-giorgos-giakoumakis-makes-goal-pledge-after-experiencing-the-beautiful-3430654 Celtic’s newest goalscorer Giorgos Giakoumakis has insisted he will only require a couple of more outings to be fully tuned-up to really take it to opposition defences on a weekly basis. By Andrew Smith Saturday, 23rd October 2021, 5:56 pm

The 26-year-old Greek has had to overcome early fitness issues following his end-of-window £2.5m move from Dutch club VVV Venlo, where he netted 29 goals in 33 appearances last season. He put them behind him by making his first start count with a crisp close-range finish for the opening goal in Celtic’s comprehensive 2-0 home win over St Johnstone. And the Celtic forward, given an hour in the straightforward victory, thinks he can really be redy to fire without much more game time. “From now on I can say that if I am needed I am ready. I am getting closer and closer [to full fitness] game by game [and] I think with one more game or two more games I will be there,” he said.

The feelings engendered in the Celtic forward when he produced his net-rippling moment that effectively ended St Johnstone’s resistance within 35 minutes have certainly left him hungry to show the goal form that won him his move to Scotland. “It was really beautiful. It was something that I was looking forward to feel and I am really, really happy about that.” Sign up to our Football newsletter

And the Celtic attacker backs himself fully to enjoy heavy scoring returns at his new club. “Of course, it is something that for me the option to come here did not include even 1% of a risk,” the Celtic player said. “It was something I decided immediately because for me this team has a really good plan. It is an attacking team, we try to play with an offensive style of game. This for sure will help me to score goals and to win some trophies. I am happy with all of my teammates and I am really happy that I am here. The level of my teammates is really high and we can achieve many thing together. I always say I want to stay healthy until the end and help my team victories and get some trophies. After that, I am a striker and my goal is to score every week.”

BBC

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58936264

By Martin WattBBC Scotland

Last updated on

1 hour ago1 hour ago.From the section Scottish Premiership Georgios Giakoumakis opened his Celtic scoring account in the first half Giorgios Giakoumakis opened his Celtic scoring account in the first half

Giorgios Giakoumakis marked his first start with his maiden goal as Celtic overcame stubborn St Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership to extend their winning run to four games.

The Greece striker volleyed the first-half opener following a lapse from visiting defender Callum Booth.

Celtic finally made sure of a deserved victory with Josip Juranovic’s penalty.

The hosts stay fourth, a point behind leaders Hearts, Rangers – who face St Mirren on Sunday – and Dundee United.

St Johnstone’s second successive defeat drops last season’s cup double winners to 10th, two points above second-bottom Dundee.

Reaction & as it happened

Giakoumakis, a summer arrival from Dutch side VVV Venlo, was unleashed from the start after impressing in the Europa League win over Ferencvaros, his third outing off the bench.

But the 26-year-old and Celtic were superbly marshalled by St Johnstone until Booth’s mistake undid all the visitors’ diligent defending.

Juranovic’s hopeful shot from distance took a looping deflection into the box, where Booth missed his attempted clearance, allowing Anthony Ralston to square for Giakoumakis to volley past Zander Clark.

It brought relief for the hosts and dejection for St Johnstone, who had welcomed back defensive lynchpin Liam Gordon from injury for a first appearance since August.

Bar a Callum McGregor drive stopped by Clark’s outstretched leg, the hosts had struggled to penetrate until Giakoumakis struck.

Kyogo Furushashi, deployed wide right to accommodate the Greek forward in the central striker role, was a peripheral presence but Jota on the opposite flank was Celtic’s liveliest performer.

St Johnstone came out with fresh impetus after the break, Jamie McCart heading over from a corner and Cammy MacPherson slicing high and wide.

Celtic quickly reasserted control, and McGregor had a drive deflected inches wide, but the hosts were restricted to few clear-cut chances until the closing stages.

The clinching goal arrived when Jota and Kyogo combined and the Japan forward – moved centrally after Giakoumakas went off – was caught by Gordon just inside the box. Juranovic sent Clark the wrong way from the penalty spot.

Tom Rogic and McGregor had drives batted away by Clark, either side of a shot off the post by substitute Mikey Johnston, as St Johnstone avoided further damage. Man of the match – Jota The on-loan Benfica winger’s case for a permanent Celtic stay grows stronger by the week The on-loan Benfica winger’s case for a permanent Celtic stay grows stronger by the week What did we learn?

Celtic have their key men back and are continuing to build momentum after a chaotic start to Ange Postecoglou’s tenure.

Giakoumakis’ goal will bolster the striker’s confidence as he strives for full fitness, and Croatia defender Juranovic showed his quality after a four-game injury absence.

While Celtic have now won three league matches in a row, St Johnstone have suffered three three defeats and netted just one goal in four.

Davidson’s side will rue the defensive lapses at both goals, but were solid for the most part while lacking threat at the other end.

Gordon’s return to the heart of defence offers hope of a revival, with three of the Perth men’s next four league fixtures at home. What did they say?

Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou: “It was a game where you know you’re not going to get a lot of space in and around the penalty box and they’re never going to open up.

“It was important we maintained our discipline, moved the ball around and were clinical when the chance came. We didn’t allow St Johnstone to be a threat, and we could have scored a couple more at the end.”

St Johnstone manager Callum Davidson: “Callum Booth misjudged it. It’s not like him. It was a long-range shot and if we deal with that, then we don’t concede.

“I am not blaming Callum. I don’t think Celtic had many chances in the first half but we got punished then the game becomes a little bit harder for us.”

Post update

Foul by Callum McGregor (Celtic).

Callum Booth (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Attempt blocked. David Wotherspoon (St. Johnstone) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.

Lineups are announced and players are warming up.