Celtic triumph in a game of two halves
Convincing in the end
Celtic went into this match knowing that all three points would see them close the gap on Rangers to seven points with a game in hand but no one was expecting an easy match at McDiarmid Park. St Johnstone have battled well all season and the Celtic backline, not convincing at the best of times, has weakened even further today.
Celtic started nervously at the back and within 10 minutes, they were 1-0 down. It is hard to say if the foul was given for a Loovens foul or an O’Dea clip but on first viewing, there didn’t appear to be any argument that it was a penalty. With refereeing decisions these days, it is hard to know what equates to a penalty but it looked a foul, it was in the box, correct decision.
Liam Craig kept a cool head and put the home side 1-0 up.
Celtic then suffered another defensive set-back when Glen Loovens was forced out of action with a head injury. Paul Caddis came on and this required a further restructuring of the Celtic back line. Hinkel, Thompson, O’Dea and Caddis was the back four and many Celtic fans were fearing the worst.
Kenny Duechar was winning challenges in the air but St Johnstone were unable to create any more chances in the first half. The Perth side certainly battled very well, with Jody Morris impressive again in the middle of the park, and on the goal line when he scooped Zheng Zhi’s effort away just in time, but any chances that were created from that point were Celtic’s to squander.
Celtic were definitely disjointed but Niall McGinn could have levelled before half-time but Smith in goals for St Johnstone was showing some impressive form.
You wonder what Tony Mowbray said to his team at half-time but straight from the kick-off, Celtic powered through the middle of the park and Marc Antoine Fortune was hauled down at the edge of the box.
A red card was immediately flashed for the professional foul, and again, it is hard to argue with this decision.
Of course, there will always be some arguments about a sending off but those moaning should remember that Graham Gartland had already been booked. This means the player would have been off the park, even if the ref felt a yellow card was sufficient punishment.
Celtic made nothing of the free-kick but as you would expect, the tide started to turn in Celtic’s favour. The forward play was relentless but St Johnstone held firm for a while. Smith was in fine form, repelling Celtic with arms and legs and it was looking as though something special would be required to beat him. Marc Antoine Fortune delivered it.
He may not be a great goal-scorer but Fortune is a scorer of great goals.
It seemed likely that Celtic would go on from here but a bad miss from Darren O’Dea and another superb Smith save from a McCourt shot had some Celtic fans worrying about dropping points.
A lead was finally taken when Josh Thompson nodded down for Georgios Samaras to volley home and St Johnstone must have felt their spirits drop.
Fortune grabbed another goal to give some breathing space to the Celtic defence, Artur Boruc had a brainwave which nearly let St Johnstone back in before Paddy McCourt finished the game in fine style by cutting inside and finishing into the top corner.
Depending on where your loyalties lie, the story of the game will go two ways.
The sending off was definitely a factor but it was the correct decision and Celtic had forced the matter by pressing straight from kick-off.
Tony Mowbray will be pleased with three points and 4 goals but will have defensive concerns and will also know that 4 goals from 29 chances and 11 corners is still very wasteful.
If St Johnstone can take the work ethic and spirit from the first half into other games, they will be booking their place in next seasons SPL with a bit to spare.
Both teams face another big test on Wednesday, will they be up for it?
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