Match Pictures | Matches: 2022 – 2023
Trivia
- KO: 12:30 Saturday Sky Sports
- Celtic win with an incredible last minute of injury time goal! Poor performance today but got the three points to remain top of the league by 2 points, but GD now down to +8 compared to Sevco
- CCV (returning from injury) is captain in McGregor’s absence.
- Celtic in middle of very busy twice a week schedule for next six weeks due to upcoming World Cup.
- Celtic has launched a new sensory pack for young supporters attending Celtic Park.
- Callum McGregor to see a specialist as Ange Postecoglou warns knee injury “isn’t short-term”.
- Ex Celt Victor Wanyama to become free agent as announces Montreal Impact departure. Maybe draft in to help cover for McGregor?
- Ten people confirmed dead (to the time of writing) after explosion at petrol station in County Donegal in the Republic of Ireland. RIP
- Ex-Celt Frank McGarvey has been diagnosed with cancer, say Celtic legend’s family. We wish him all the strength in the world.
Summary
“That is what this club is all about. As the manager said, we keep going, we never stop. We suffered a setback late on, but we kept going, we kept pursuing and Berna has done brilliantly down the left wing and thankfully that one has gone in.”
A visibly elated Stephen Welsh said at the side of the McDiarmid Park pitch after the game.
ETims:
Should have been out of sight by 60 mins. Didn’t take chances & very poor decision making. Looked as if Saints goal coming..it did in injury time. McCarthy took game by scruff of neck…brilliance from Bernie & GOAL GG. Need to improve but ground out late win.Brilliant from Bernabei and McCarthy and poacher brilliance from GG ya big one
ItaliaBhoy of KDS:
Last minute winners are always fun, but that was another insipid performance today.
We have a real problem without CalMac in that – as has been noted – there is no single replacement. That means changing the shape of the team. I thought Hatate was excellent today and our midfield fell apart when he went off. Ange needs to find some way of maximising his passing game, whilst also making sure there is cover and someone is doing the fetching and carrying. Could be Abilgaard, could be McCarthy? Mooy I thought was very disappointing today, and gave the ball away on numerous occasions.
Maeda is having a mare at the moment, all our attacks end as soon as he touches it. Welsh is a poor defender who will be badly exposed by better strikers.
Positives: Bernabei and Haksabanovic were both excellent, Forrest gave a nice cameo when he came on. Great to see CCV back, and GG is an absolute superstar for us. Good to see Hart make a great save after the fiasco midweek.
Despite being down about the performance, it’s worth noting that had the ref done his job and sent off Liam Gordon, and had the linesman not erroneously flagged for GG’s “gal”, then it would have been a pretty comfortable afternoon.
Massive step up required against RB, though.
Teams
Celtic
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Hart
- 56Ralston
- 20Carter-Vickers Booked at 90mins
- 57Welsh Booked at 11mins
- 25Bernabei
- 33O’Riley Substituted for Abildgaard at 68′minutes
- 41Hatate Substituted for Mooy at 68′minutes
- 11Abada Substituted for Forrest at 68′minutes
- 9Haksabanovic Substituted for McCarthy at 82′minutes
- 17Neves Filipe Substituted for Maeda at 45′minutes
- 7Giakoumakis Booked at 90mins
Substitutes
- 8Furuhashi
- 13Mooy
- 16McCarthy
- 28Abildgaard
- 29Bain
- 31Siegrist
- 38Maeda
- 49Forrest
- 88Juranovic
Goals:
- Considine (42′ minutes og),
- Giakoumakis (90’+5 minutes)
Assists:
- Bernabei (90’+5 minutes)
St Johnstone
Formation 5-3-2
- 1Matthews
- 14Wright
- 5Mitchell
- 6Gordon
- 4Considine
- 2Brown Substituted forBairat 75′minutes
- 13McGowanBooked at 21mins
- 22HallbergBooked at 49mins
- 27KucheriavyiBooked at 53mins Substituted forCrawfordat 63′minutes
- 29Murphy Substituted forMayat 63′minutes
- 37Clark Substituted forMcLennanat 75′minutes
Substitutes
- 3Gallacher
- 7May
- 10Wotherspoon
- 11O’Halloran
- 12Parish
- 17Bair
- 21Crawford
- 26McLennan
- 34Phillips
Goals:
- Mitchell (90’+3 minutes)
Assists:
- Crawford (90’+3 minutes)
Articles
- Match Report (see below)
Pictures
Match Links
Stats
Celtic
- Possession
- Home25%
- Away75%
- Shots
- Home8
- Away11
- Shots on Target
- Home3
- Away4
- Corners
- Home2
- Away8
- Fouls
- Home14
- Away10
Articles
The Celtic goal which could matter more as trio in impress in St Johnstone scare
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/the-celtic-goal-which-could-matter-more-as-trio-in-impress-in-st-johnstone-scare-3872546
When the dust settles at the end of the Scottish Premiership season, there will be goals which will have mattered more. One of those may well be the one scored just after 2.20pm at McDiarmid Park.
By Joel Sked
Saturday, 8th October 2022, 3:23 pm
Celtic had contrived to give up a 1-0 lead to a St Johnstone side who, until 68 minutes, had offered very little in an attacking sense. In the first half they had more clearances than completed passes in their own half (18-16).
But when Alex Mitchell prodded past Joe Hart in injury time it brought disbelief but also a sense it was coming. The introspection was a matter of minutes away. Was the triple substitution made by Ange Postecoglu with 22 minutes left the turning point?
Then, five minutes into injury time, Alexandro Bernabei strode down the left, past a limping Drey Wright, to deliver a tantalising cross which Georgios Giakoumakis gobbled up.
The Greek striker may well have had his most disappointing 94 minutes for Celtic. Nothing seemed to go right for him, including a goal ruled out for offside. But that is the nature of being a striker. You are in a position to be a hero where one second, one moment, one goal can change everything.
Giakoumakis’ prevented plenty of questions in the aftermath. It also prevents Rangers from going level on points with their rivals at top of the Premiership.
Looking at the bigger picture, Celtic will know vast improvement is required after a difficult period which has brought losses to St Mirren and Leipzig, and narrow wins against Motherwell and now St Johnstone. Far tougher tests on paper on the horizon, starting with Leipzig on Tuesday.
St Johnstone ambition
Reo Hatate stepped up for Celtic in Callum McGregor’s absence. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group)
Reo Hatate stepped up for Celtic in Callum McGregor’s absence. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group)
Saints, to their credit, had survived in the game, helped by wasteful play from the visitors, and Callum Davidson clearly sensed a result could be achieved.
Seconds after a triple substitution which saw both Hatate and O’Reily depart, St Johnstone should have scored through Stevie May but his effort, far from clean, came off the base of the post. Not long after, Davidson made attacking changes which put more pressure on a Celtic side which had become increasingly disorganised and nervy.
It was an encouraging response from St Johnstone after a disappointing result during the week, even if the visitors should arguably have been out of sight before giving Saints a sniff of a point.
This was the start of a unique spell for Celtic. The first time since the 2016/17 season they will not be able to call on Callum McGregor for a sustained period. Since that campaign the midfielder has played 325 times for the Scottish champions and not included in a squad, for one reason or another, just 17 times.
Sead Haksabanovic was instrumental in the opening goal. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group)
Sead Haksabanovic was instrumental in the opening goal. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group)
In the build-up to the game, Postecoglou spoke of needing players to stand up and fill the breach in his captain’s absence. Summer signings Bernabei and Sead Haskbanovic, played centrally, in an advanced position beyond Reo Hatate and Matt O’Reily, both showed up positively. Then there was Hatate. The Japanese midfield maestro. A player who is constantly improving. He has the ability to become the on-field leader and reference point for this Celtic team. Him and Haksbanovic crucial in the opening goal.
Celtic, in the end, got away with one. But that one goal could be huge come the end.
St Johnstone (3-4-1-2): Matthews; Mitchell, Gordon, Condisdine; Wright, McGowan, Hallberg, Brown; Kucheriavyi; Clark, Murphy.
Celtic (4-3-3): Hart; Ralston, Carter-Vickers, Welsh, Bernabei; Hatate, O’Reily, Haksabanovic; Jota, Giakoumakis, Abada.
Ange Postecoglou hails Celtic resilience, pinpoints duo for praise and reveals reasons for Jota half-time sub
Ange Postecoglou hailed the resillience of his Celtic players after they recovered from the concession of a 93rd minute equaliser to win 2-1 against St Johnstone.
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/ange-postecoglou-hails-celtic-resilience-pinpoints-duo-for-praise-and-reveals-reasons-for-jota-half-time-sub-3872551
By Joel Sked
Saturday, 8th October 2022, 3:34 pm
The Scottish champions were comfortable for large parts of the game at McDiarmid Park after an Andy Considine own goal had given them the lead but required a 95th minute winner from Georgios Giakoumakis after Alex Mitchell had scored for Saints two minutes prior.
“It’s a game we probably should have put to bed a little bit earlier with the chances we had,” Postecoglou said.
“At 1-0 you know that it’s always on a bit of a knife-edge, particularly as they’re a team who will lump balls into the box, and you are going to have to defend sometimes pretty desperately.
“They obviously got the goal late, but again, there was great character and resilience by the lads. We did it a few times last year and we’re going to have to show that at times again this year.
“You can win a game of football in many ways, but I think winning it this way also provides us confidence in the fact that we still have that sort of resilience within the group.”
Two of Celtics key performers were summer signings Sead Haksabanovic and Alexandro Bernabei, both providing assists.
“I thought Haksa was really good, he was a threat any time he got on the ball running at them or running into little channels,” Postecoglou said. “I thought he was really good.
Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou. (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)
Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou. (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)
“(Bernabei) did well. He got a bit tired towards the end but to be fair to him that was his first game of football for quite a while.
“I thought he showed the attributes we really find exciting. He takes the game on and is really aggressive with the ball. His defending is improving and he is a young player we have high hopes for.”
Postecoglou also revealed the reasons for Jota being replaced at half-time.
“There was a bit of fatigue there and we were never going to give him too many minutes,” he said. “Again, he has been carrying a heavy load with a few games in the stretch and we thought we would take him off at half time.”
Kris Boyd says Celtic ‘got away with one’ as he singles out defender for criticism
Giorgos Giakoumakis rescued Celtic with a last-gasp winner in the Saturday lunchtime clash in Perth after St Johnstone thought they had rescued a point with Alex Mitchell’s injury-time equaliser.
By Matthew Elder
Saturday, 8th October 2022, 4:00 pm
Mitchell controlled a Drey Wright free-kick on the six-yard line before slotting past Joe Hart in the 93rd minute to cancel out Andy Considine’s own goal opener as Celtic looked set to drop points and leave the door open for Rangers to draw level at the top of the table by defeating St Mirren at Ibrox.
However, in a remarkable finish, Giakoumakis slid home an Alexandro Bernabei cross in the fifth and final minute of added time to ensure the league leaders claimed a 2-1 win to move five points in front of their Glasgow rivals ahead of the 3pm kick-offs.
Sky Sports pundit Boyd insisted Celtic “got away with one” and pointed the finger at Scotland Under-21 centre-back Stephen Welsh as he dissected the concession of the set-piece goal that almost proved costly.
“It’s something people have looked at as an opportunity to exploit Celtic,” he said. “Cameron Carter-Vickers coming back in, there’s no doubt you see his aggression, the way you go and attack it.
“But when you look at Stephen Welsh he doesn’t even jump. That’s your centre-back. You’ve at least got to go and challenge but he’s just standing still there. You’ve got to do better.”
The Celtic goal which could matter more as trio in impress in St Johnstone scare
Postecoglou made six changes from the side that started the Champions League defeat to RB Leipzig at half-time and also subbed Jota at half-time ahead of the return match against the Germans at Celtic Park on Tuesday.
Alex Mitchell scores St Johnstone’s equaliser in the 2-1 defeat to Celtic at McDiarmid Park. (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)
Alex Mitchell scores St Johnstone’s equaliser in the 2-1 defeat to Celtic at McDiarmid Park. (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)
Boyd reckons that the Hoops fringe players who took to the field failed to take their chance.
“They’ve come away to a difficult venue and won a game of football, especially after being pegged back on 92 minutes,” he said.
“But there are players in there who Ange Postecoglou will be looking at now and saying, ‘don’t come and chap my door becuase I’ve got my team, I’m sticking to my team, and we’ll go from there.”
One player who Boyd reckons is deserving of more game-time, however, is Greek striker Giakoumakis, who struck his fourth goal of the season in only his third start.
“As soon as that ball comes in there was only one thing happening,” the former Rangers striker said.
“Giakoumakis, for me, I don’t think he will look at himself as second choice.
“The stats and numbers he produces is deserving of starting for Celtic.
“There will be some games where Kyogo does start, but Giakoumakis brings something different, there’s no doubt about it, and he is a threat.
“When you look at the game today, there weren’t many quality balls put in for him to do what he does best but he gets in the areas to score goals and his numbers since he arrived in Scottish football have been through the roof.”
BBC
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63099392
By Thomas DuncanBBC Scotland
Last updated on
1 hour ago1 hour ago.From the section Scottish Premiership
Giorgos Giakoumakis scores to make it 2-1 Celtic during a cinch Premiership match between St Johnstone and Celtic at McDiarmid Park
Giorgos Giakoumakis’ last-minute goal salvaged victory for Celtic
Ange Postecoglou says Celtic will need plenty more of the character which earned them a last-gasp Scottish Premiership victory against St Johnstone throughout the season.
Alex Mitchell sensationally levelled for the Perth side in the 92nd minute after Andrew Considine’s earlier own goal, only for Giorgos Giakoumakis to hit back with virtually the last kick.
The Greek striker pounced on Alex Bernabei’s cross to stretch Celtic’s league lead to five points before Rangers returned the gap to two later.
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Celtic’s McGregor until after World Cup
“Through the course of the year, there are times where you have to show that [character],” Postecoglou told BBC Scotland.
“Not every game is going to run smooth, it won’t always go your way. There are times we had to do that last year and it’s good to know it’s still there this year because we’re going to need it.
“We got a bit sloppy towards the end but I don’t think the performance was that bad. Up until the final third, we were really good.”
Celtic dug deep after Mitchell’s late sucker punch, but once again Postecoglou’s side were wasteful when on top for three quarters of the game. When St Johnstone boss Callum Davidson threw on the attacking cavalry, they were frantic and nervy.
They had 80% of possession for the first 70 minutes, but in the first half struggled to penetrate a stout St Johnstone defence, until a clever inside run and low cross from Sead Haksanabovic forced Considine to turn past his own goalkeeper just before the break.
Celtic created more opportunities after the break, with Giakoumakis and Daizen Maeda both having goals ruled out for offside, while Liel Abada was denied by Remi Mitchell when clean through.
But Davidson’s substitutes helped turn the tide, with Stevie May first forcing Joe Hart to tip his shot onto a post, and then the striker crossed for Connor McLennan, who should have done far better from eight yards than slice high and wide.
But St Johnstone eventually got their reward, albeit it was fleeting. Ali Crawford’s free-kick caused havoc, and Mitchell was there to side-foot home and spark bedlam at McDiarmid Park.
However, they will be kicking themselves at the finish.
Celtic had three minutes to salvage victory, and managed it in the dying seconds when they worked the ball down the side to Bernabei, whose terrific cross was bundled home by Giakoumakis to create wild scenes in the away end behind the goal.
Player of the match – Sead Haksabanovic
Sead Hasksabanovic celebrates his involvement in Celtic’s opening goal
Haksabanovic dropped into midfield in Callum McGregor’s absence and looked a threat with the ball. Bernabei was also fantastic on only his second start.
Below par Celtic grind out another win – analysis
Celtic are definitely not firing like they were in the first six games of the season. There seems to be a slight drop in intensity, and certainly they are not finishing the chances they continue to create.
Amid a hectic schedule, Postecoglou made six changes, with captain Callum McGregor missing the first of his expected 11 games out due to injury.
That will undoubtedly have a huge impact, which means fringe players need to step up in order to keep churning out wins. From that perspective, there were some encouraging signs.
Haksabanovic was impressive, as was Bernabei on only his second start at left-back in the absence of Greg Taylor. With Champions League commitments ongoing and their captain missing, it could be a tough spell. That’s where character comes in, and Celtic certainly showed that at the death.
As for St Johnstone, they can count themselves unfortunate. They defended well in the first half and were unlucky to fall behind to an own goal. As Celtic failed to convert opportunities, they threw the kitchen sink at them in the last quarter and so very nearly snatched a draw.
St Johnstone look a much better proposition than last season, and capable of threatening the top six.
What they said
St Johnstone manager Callum Davidson: “As a unit I thought we were brilliant and worked really hard. You concede an own goal in the 42nd-minute it’s a tough one to take. We got a goal which I thought we deserved.
“Then I don’t know what the word is… to concede in the 95th minute when I thought the players deserved more. I’m really gutted for them.”
Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou: “We had to show some character right till the last minute. It’s a game we should have put to bed a lot earlier. We had chances to do that. The good thing is we showed the character we needed to get the result.”
Match ends, St. Johnstone 1, Celtic 2.
90’+7′
Full Time
Second Half ends, St. Johnstone 1, Celtic 2.
90’+7′
Post update
Attempt blocked. Stevie May (St. Johnstone) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Connor McLennan.
90’+6′
Booking
Giorgos Giakoumakis (Celtic) is shown the yellow card for excessive celebration.
90’+5′
Goal!
Goal! St. Johnstone 1, Celtic 2. Giorgos Giakoumakis (Celtic) left footed shot from very close range to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Alexander Bernabei with a cross.
90’+3′
Goal!
Goal! St. Johnstone 1, Celtic 1. Alex Mitchell (St. Johnstone) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Alister Crawford following a set piece situation.
90’+2′
Booking
Cameron Carter-Vickers (Celtic) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
90’+2′
Post update
Foul by Cameron Carter-Vickers (Celtic).
90’+2′
Post update
Liam Gordon (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
90’+2′
Post update
Foul by Alexander Bernabei (Celtic).
90’+2′
Post update
Ryan McGowan (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90’+1′
Post update
Anthony Ralston (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90’+1′
Post update
Foul by Theo Bair (St. Johnstone).
90′
Post update
Offside, Celtic. Aaron Mooy tries a through ball, but James Forrest is caught offside.
89′
Post update
Attempt missed. Stevie May (St. Johnstone) right footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the left.
89′
Post update
Attempt saved. Stevie May (St. Johnstone) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Melker Hallberg.
88′
Post update
Attempt missed. Connor McLennan (St. Johnstone) left footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Stevie May with a cross.
86′
Post update
Offside, Celtic. Anthony Ralston tries a through ball, but Daizen Maeda is caught offside.
82′
Post update
Foul by Giorgos Giakoumakis (Celtic).
82′
Post update
Alex Mitchell (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick on the right wing.
82′
Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. James McCarthy replaces Sead Haksabanovic.
80′
Post update
Offside, Celtic. Alexander Bernabei tries a through ball, but Oliver Abildgaard is caught offside.
80′
Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Alister Crawford.
79′
Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Ryan McGowan.
79′
Post update
Attempt blocked. Sead Haksabanovic (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
78′
Post update
Giorgos Giakoumakis (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
78′
Post update
Foul by Andrew Considine (St. Johnstone).
76′
Post update
Offside, Celtic. Aaron Mooy tries a through ball, but Daizen Maeda is caught offside.
76′
Post update
Sead Haksabanovic (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
76′
Post update
Foul by Stevie May (St. Johnstone).
75′
Substitution
Substitution, St. Johnstone. Connor McLennan replaces Nicky Clark.
75′
Substitution
Substitution, St. Johnstone. Theo Bair replaces James Brown.
75′
Post update
Foul by Cameron Carter-Vickers (Celtic).
75′
Post update
Melker Hallberg (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
74′
Post update
Attempt blocked. Giorgos Giakoumakis (Celtic) left footed shot from the right side of the six yard box is blocked. Assisted by Aaron Mooy.
73′
Post update
Sead Haksabanovic (Celtic) wins a free kick on the right wing.
73′
Post update
Foul by James Brown (St. Johnstone).
72′
Post update
Giorgos Giakoumakis (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
72′
Post update
Foul by Liam Gordon (St. Johnstone).
69′
Post update
Attempt saved. Stevie May (St. Johnstone) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Melker Hallberg.
68′
Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. James Forrest replaces Liel Abada.
68′
Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. Oliver Abildgaard replaces Matt O’Riley.
68′
Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. Aaron Mooy replaces Reo Hatate.
66′
Post update
Foul by Matt O’Riley (Celtic).
66′
Post update
Melker Hallberg (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
65′
Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Remi Matthews.
65′
Post update
Attempt saved. Liel Abada (Celtic) left footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Reo Hatate.
64′
Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Liam Gordon.
64′
Post update
Attempt saved. Liel Abada (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Sead Haksabanovic.
63′
Substitution
Substitution, St. Johnstone. Stevie May replaces Jamie Murphy.
63′
Substitution
Substitution, St. Johnstone. Alister Crawford replaces Maksym Kucheriavyi.
55′
Post update
Attempt blocked. Matt O’Riley (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
54′
Post update
Sead Haksabanovic (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
54′
Post update
Foul by Andrew Considine (St. Johnstone).
53′
Booking
Maksym Kucheriavyi (St. Johnstone) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
53′
Post update
Reo Hatate (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.
53′
Post update
Foul by Maksym Kucheriavyi (St. Johnstone).
50′
Post update
Offside, Celtic. Matt O’Riley tries a through ball, but Giorgos Giakoumakis is caught offside.
49′
Booking
Melker Hallberg (St. Johnstone) is shown the yellow card.
49′
Post update
Sead Haksabanovic (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
49′
Post update
Foul by Liam Gordon (St. Johnstone).
47′
Post update
Corner, St. Johnstone. Conceded by Cameron Carter-Vickers.
46′
Post update
Offside, Celtic. Sead Haksabanovic tries a through ball, but Liel Abada is caught offside.
46′
Post update
Giorgos Giakoumakis (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
46′
Post update
Foul by Maksym Kucheriavyi (St. Johnstone).
Second Half
Second Half begins St. Johnstone 0, Celtic 1.
45′
Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. Daizen Maeda replaces Jota.
45’+2′
Half Time
First Half ends, St. Johnstone 0, Celtic 1.
45′
Post update
Attempt blocked. Sead Haksabanovic (Celtic) left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Matt O’Riley.
44′
Post update
Alexander Bernabei (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.
44′
Post update
Foul by Maksym Kucheriavyi (St. Johnstone).
42′
Goal!
Own Goal by Andrew Considine, St. Johnstone. St. Johnstone 0, Celtic 1.
40′
Post update
Sead Haksabanovic (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
40′
Post update
Foul by James Brown (St. Johnstone).
38′
Post update
Attempt missed. Maksym Kucheriavyi (St. Johnstone) left footed shot from outside the box is too high following a corner.
37′
Post update
Corner, St. Johnstone. Conceded by Matt O’Riley.
37′
Post update
Foul by Giorgos Giakoumakis (Celtic).
37′
Post update
Maksym Kucheriavyi (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick on the right wing.
34′
Post update
Offside, Celtic. Jota tries a through ball, but Liel Abada is caught offside.
30′
Post update
Offside, Celtic. Anthony Ralston tries a through ball, but Jota is caught offside.
27′
Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Melker Hallberg.
24′
Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Alex Mitchell.
21′
Booking
Ryan McGowan (St. Johnstone) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
21′
Post update
Sead Haksabanovic (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
21′
Post update
Foul by Ryan McGowan (St. Johnstone).
21′
Post update
Hand ball by Ryan McGowan (St. Johnstone).
19′
Post update
Foul by Matt O’Riley (Celtic).
19′
Post update
Jamie Murphy (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
19′
Post update
Attempt saved. Sead Haksabanovic (Celtic) right footed shot from more than 35 yards is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Matt O’Riley.
18′
Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Liam Gordon.
18′
Post update
Attempt blocked. Matt O’Riley (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
16′
Post update
Offside, Celtic. Cameron Carter-Vickers tries a through ball, but Giorgos Giakoumakis is caught offside.
13′
Post update
Foul by Alexander Bernabei (Celtic).
13′
Post update
Maksym Kucheriavyi (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
12′
Post update
Foul by Liel Abada (Celtic).
12′
Post update
James Brown (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
11′
Booking
Stephen Welsh (Celtic) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
11′
Post update
Foul by Stephen Welsh (Celtic).
11′
Post update
Ryan McGowan (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
9′
Post update
Attempt missed. Nicky Clark (St. Johnstone) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Remi Matthews.
8′
Post update
Attempt missed. Liel Abada (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Jota.
6′
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Giorgos Giakoumakis (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
6′
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Foul by Liam Gordon (St. Johnstone).
3′
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Attempt missed. Stephen Welsh (Celtic) header from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Matt O’Riley with a cross following a corner.
3′
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Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Drey Wright.
Kick Off
First Half begins.
Posted at 12:2812:28
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Lineups are announced and players are warming up.
St Johnstone 1-2 Celtic – The unusual comes at no extra cost with Celtic
By David Potter 8 October, 2022 No Comments
St Johnstone 1-2 Celtic – The unusual comes at no extra cost with Celtic
The unusual, they say, comes at no extra cost with Celtic. Neither do the emotions nor the passions! In added-on time we plumbed the depths, soared to the sublime and then by the time we were halfway home, we settled down and although still happy with the result, we began to realise the deficiencies of the team, not least in their inability to kill off St Johnstone so that the late, late drama need not have happened.
But to begin at the beginning, it was a lovely autumn day in the Fair City of Perth, the home of St Johnstone, a nice team (normally) with a fine ground and civilised supporters (well, most of them). In particular, one must commend the way that they organise the arrangements for away supporters with a separate entrance and exit straight on to the motorway. Barriers were deployed to allow each row of minibuses and buses to leave in order – and all in all, the Emirates Car Park and Celtic FC would do well to take a trip to Perth to see how they do it. There remains no excuse for the mayhem and inordinate delay that we have to suffer at Celtic Park on matchdays.
We missed Callum McGregor. That was always likely to be the case, and it appears it may be near Christmas before we see him again. But nevertheless the team had an excellent first half with one own goal scant reward for their efforts. The same was true for most of the second half with several offside calls going against them, but then, almost fatally, Celtic allowed St Johnstone back into the game, falling back and crucially, when the defence did win the ball, they failed to bring it forward and keep it in the St Johnstone half.
St Johnstone missed an absolute sitter when the ball was blazed over the bar – and that should have been a warning – and then inflicting intense agony on us, as we thought, scoring in added on time. Losing a couple of points would have been no more or no less than what Celtic deserved, but then came the breath taking moment 70 seconds later when a cross from Bernabei (who had seemed to be tiring later in the game) found Giakoumakis who did what all good strikers do. It may well be a moment that we will talk about at the end of the season in the context of how the League was won (or lost).
Our best player was, by some distance, Sead Haksabanovic. But there were also good performances from Cameron Carter-Vickers (welcome back, CCV!), Anthony Ralston, Reo Hatate and Jota (whose absence in the second half does not, I hope, betoken an injury – we have had enough of them!). Of the others, no-one had a real shocker, but there were one or two inconsistent performances. The attitude remains right, and we saw enough of Jamesie Forrest to make us think that we should see a little more of him.
So where does this leave us in the context of Tuesday night? The alternatives are stark. We either win or we are probably out of Europe for another season. But at least this afternoon, there was a fight to the end which we didn’t see against Leipzig on Wednesday.
And having said a few nice things about St Johnstone at the start, I must point out that in spite of giving Celtic two ends and a bit of the Main Stand, there were still many empty seats! Wise up, Saints! Put all the home support into one Stand, and give Celtic the rest! It is a shame that so many Celtic fans were in pubs and at home watching the game, when they could have been giving you more money!
David Potter
Celtic ruin linesman’s day, Ange’s thoughts and Jota’s fatigue
By Editor 8 October, 2022 1 Comment
Here’s what Ange Postecoglou had to say after that dramatic afternoon up at McDiarmid Park when it looked like Celtic had dropped two points after conceding two minutes into stoppage time only for Giorgos Giakoumakis to grab the winner moments later. How that goal was celebrated, just like Anthony Ralston’s winner up at Ross County last December!
Sky Sports: Ange, a traumatic finish in the end… how do you sum it up?
Ange Postecoglou: “Well, it’s the nature of football. You know, we should’ve put the game to bed a lot earlier. At 1-0 the opposition always feel they’re in it. It doesn’t take much – a bit of a scramble in the box, they’ve got threats from set-pieces – and we concede late. But credit to the lads, we had to do it a few times last year and it’s good to know if it’s required it’s still there.”
Sky Sports: Does that sum up that continued character in the team?
Ange Postecoglou: “Yeah, well you have to have it during the course of the season. We’d love things to run smoothly but as I said, we should have really finished it off a lot earlier. We waited till the last minute but that’s important too, to show their character.”
Sky Sports: Was there a sense of frustration when that equaliser goes, given that you had chances and to Joe Hart only had a couple of saves to make?
Ange Postecoglou: “It’s kind of the period we’re going through at the moment – creating a lot of chances but not taking them. Earlier in the year we were taking everything that was coming our way. That’s the nature of football, we’ve just got to persevere and persist with what we’re doing. As long as we’re creating the chances eventually they’ll go.”
Sky Sports: Is that an easy mindset to be in, then, because of the positives in creating the chances?
Ange Postecoglou: “I think so. It’s a lot harder when you’re struggling to create chances because then you’re looking for solutions out there. Today we had some really good chances and on any other day we would’ve finished the game off but, during the course of a season, there are going to be games like this and it’s important when they do come along that we show the character we showed today.”
Giorgos Giakoumakis celebrates scoring the winning goal with fans during the cinch Premiership match at McDiarmid Park, Perth. Saturday October 8, 2022. Photo Jeff Holmes
Sky Sports: Joe Hart didn’t have much to do but he did make one brilliant save from Stevie May – how pleased were you for him given the week he had?
Ange Postecoglou: “That’s Joe’s role in our team, you know? Our goalkeeper’s never too busy but we need him for the big moments and he’s always delivered at that time. He made a good save but if we’re talking about missed chances and goalkeeper saves I think the other end’s more important for us.
Sky Sports: How’s Jota, he came off at half-time?
Ange Postecoglou: “Yeah, it was just a bit of fatigue. The plan wasn’t to play him for too long today as he’s played a lot of football so I don’t think there’s any concern there.”
Celtic star in ‘what this club is all about’ message and the 15-year-old Champions League dream
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/celtic-star-in-what-this-club-is-all-about-message-and-the-15-year-old-champions-league-dream-3873131
Three words uttered by Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou were inscribed onto the club’s Scottish Premiership win last season as they took the title back from rivals Rangers.
By Joel Sked
Sunday, 9th October 2022, 10:30 pm
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“We never stop”.
It was the message then and it remains the message to his Celtic players, as evidenced on Saturday. Despite conceding a 93rd-minute equaliser to St Johnstone, the champions went up the pitch to score an even later winner, Georgios Giakoumakis converting an Alexandro Bernabei cross.
“That is what this club is all about,” a visibly elated Stephen Welsh said at the side of the McDiarmid Park pitch after the game.
“As the manager said, we keep going, we never stop. We suffered a setback late on, but we kept going, we kept pursuing and Berna has done brilliantly down the left wing and thankfully that one has gone in.”
The ‘we don’t stop’ mentality will be required in abundance at Celtic Park on Tuesday evening when the team face a must-win Champions League clash against RB Leipzig, following a 3-1 loss in Germany last week. But it can also be viewed in terms of the team’s identity, continuing to play the way the team and the manager believes.
“We know it is going to be tough, but we are going to go into it the same way and try to play our football, attack and press high,” Welsh said. “That is probably what you would expect from us now. It is about recovering and preparing.
“We are wanting to go and put a good performance in, play our football against Leipzig, which we did in parts on Wednesday. We have got to do that for the full 90 minutes instead of just wee bits and pieces.
Stephen Welsh celebrates Celtic’s late win at St Johnstone. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group)
Stephen Welsh celebrates Celtic’s late win at St Johnstone. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group)
“We know it is going to be a big occasion, but I don’t think we need to play the occasion. It is about playing our football – high pressing, high tempo.”
The 15-year-old dream
On a personal level, the match could represent an extra special evening for Stephen Welsh.
The loss in Leipzig was his first experience of Champions League group stage football. Tuesday could be the culmination of a 15-year-old dream. The club’s famous 2-1 win over an AC Milan side who were holders and had Kaka, Alessandro Nesta and Andrea Pirlo amongst their ranks in 2007 was his first experience of seeing Celtic at Champions League level in the flesh.
Welsh will be hoping to start Celtic’s Champions League clash with RB Leipzig. (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)
Welsh will be hoping to start Celtic’s Champions League clash with RB Leipzig. (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)
“They were the best team in the world at the time and Celtic went out and won the game,” Welsh said. “Hopefully we can do the same on Tuesday night.
“It was a long time ago now. But I am here now to go and play and challenge at the top stage. It will be my first Champions League start at Celtic Park if I am picked. It is obviously good playing away from home, but a Champions League night at Celtic Park will be a different occasion.
“It is a dream, but you never actually think of it. To go and do that would be a special occasion. But I don’t think we can think of it like that. We need to think of it as a game that we need to go and perform in. We need to play our football and go and win the game.”