The ‘Tic Keep on Ticking – St. Johnstone vs Celtic Match Review
Some interesting choices in the Celtic team selection for tonight’s league match away to St Johnstone. Johnstone replaces Sinisalo in goal for his Celtic debut, and with an away trip to Ibrox coming up at the weekend, the timing is notable. Will this dent Sinisalo’s confidence if he resumes as number one on Sunday? Or is this a statement of intent from O’Neill that Johnstone is now the preferred option?
Further intrigue arrives with the absence of CCV, who isn’t injured but simply being rested as he continues to recover from a serious injury. It’s sensible — he’s struggled a bit so far this season and needs to be protected. Tierney makes the bench after his own worries, and Høgh returns to the starting XI in place of Durán, probably with Sunday in mind. Tounekti comes in for Yang — time for him to show something, as he’s yet to win over the fans. Sorenson gets his first start alongside Baur and McGregor in midfield, and Murray replaces CCV. It’s an interesting selection, but you can understand the need to keep players fresh with the heavy schedule ahead.
It says everything about the strength of the Celtic support that we’ve taken up three full sections of the stadium — at an away match. It’s not new, but it’s still remarkable. The surface looks great, the fans are in good voice — let’s put on a show for them.
A positive start from Celtic with good early pressing. Not ideal early signs from Tounekti, who is playing safe — a criticism levelled at him since his arrival. He seems bereft of confidence. The first effort of the evening comes from Hassan, showing a far more direct approach than his counterpart on the other flank. His strike from distance is tipped past the post by the St Johnstone keeper. Celtic are having the better of it in the opening five minutes.
Tounekti then forces another corner which Baur delivers — it seems our new set‑piece coach is intent on replaying the Baur/Scales combination that worked so well at the weekend. Not this time. Tounekti is seeing plenty of the ball and manages to beat his man and deliver a cross. It’s easily dealt with, but it’s more like it.
Celtic are targeting the wings, and Hassan forces another corner. Again, easily cleared. It’s not obvious what our strategy is on these set‑plays. There doesn’t seem to be much innovation from the new set‑piece coach.
On 19 minutes, we’re exposed as Donovan fails to cut out a cross. Cotterill lashes a goal‑bound strike which is superbly tipped over by Johnstone. He hasn’t had much to do so far, but that’s a fine save and should give him confidence. Donovan has to do better — he seemed to turn away from the ball. We need bodies on the line. He’s still young, but he must learn that this lax approach won’t do if he’s to develop at Celtic.
Approaching the 30‑minute mark, Celtic are in control but haven’t created any clear‑cut chances. A speculative effort from Hassan is all we have to show for our 72 touches in the final third. It all seems very indecisive.
Celtic win another corner and there’s a scramble, with a shot deflected wide. Three quick corners in succession as Celtic up the pressure. It’s been comfortable enough barring one dangerous moment, but we look a little too relaxed. The fans have gone quiet. We need a spark. Tounekti almost provides it with a jinking run into the box, but his cut‑back finds no one and Hassan gives away a soft foul.
Careless play from Scales presents St Johnstone with an attacking opportunity, but it’s snuffed out. We aren’t doing enough to put serious pressure on them. They’re growing in confidence — we need to be mindful of that. Almost 40 minutes gone, and I think Durán will be readied for a half‑time introduction at this rate.
St Johnstone win a rare corner. We aren’t too convincing in dealing with it, but it’s eventually cleared. Celtic’s play becomes scrappy as we approach half‑time. Hassan wins a free‑kick which leads to another corner — again the same ploy. If these are instructions from our set‑piece “guru”, it’s far too predictable. Half‑time arrives with no added time — a tame affair and not exactly enthralling.
I’m somewhat surprised there are no half‑time changes. We go again. Hopefully an impassioned team talk does the trick. St Johnstone seem up for it now and Sorenson is muscled out of it. Another breakthrough for them, but Johnstone is equal to it. Another illustration of how easily chances come for teams despite our overwhelming possession stats domestically. You assume the coaches analyse this constantly — if so, why is there no marked improvement?
Sorenson is making little impact and Nygren feels inevitable. Høgh too is being starved of service.
For a brief spell, Celtic pass the ball across midfield, but eventually Tounekti finds space to put in a dangerous cross which causes panic. Høgh does well to keep it alive, Hassan gets the break, and cuts back for Baur to tap into an empty net for his first Celtic goal. Hopefully this is the spark we needed. One more goal should be enough.
Tounekti puts in another dangerous ball but it doesn’t fall kindly. Celtic win another corner which comes to nothing as Trusty is penalised for an accidental elbow.
St Johnstone enjoy some possession but nothing too concerning, although Donovan is again culpable as they manage a cross which Johnstone handles safely. He has looked extremely assured throughout his first 60 minutes. Celtic have the ball in the net after a Tounekti cross is headed back by Høgh and Hassan’s effort is deflected in off a St Johnstone hand. The goal is ruled out for going out of play — there will be more said about this. My initial reaction is that it was still in play. At worst, the image was inconclusive. Another angle makes it even more obvious the ball did not cross the line. It would be shocking if it wasn’t so predictable.
Celtic work a neat move with Høgh setting up Hassan, whose curling effort is nicely parried. Corner to Celtic. Still no success — surely this is a work in progress.
Nygren replaces Sorenson. Into the 73rd minute and more subs are readied. Durán and Forrest come on for Hassan and Tounekti. Clarification arrives on the VAR ruling: because the ball left the field of vision, VAR reverted to the on‑field decision. Judging by the assistant’s position, he had a perfect view — nothing shown explains the flag. This will not go down well, especially if Celtic concede late.
Celtic push to put it beyond doubt. Forrest shows some magic on the edge of the area before getting a shot away, parried again.
St Johnstone launch a raid and a shot flashes wide. Johnstone goes down with cramp — I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a goalkeeper cramp up — but he’s back on his feet.
Celtic work another decent chance as Nygren’s clever play finds Høgh, whose footwork creates space but the keeper is equal to it. Soon after, Forrest plays a tempting cross and Nygren meets it but seems unsure and hits it straight at the keeper. You hope we don’t regret these missed chances as news filters through that our city rivals have scored a late winner at Ibrox. Five minutes plus stoppage time remain.
Tierney and Mhueka come on. Mhueka immediately shows strength and determination, winning two free‑kicks. Clever play from the 18‑year‑old — he shows real maturity. He may be an unlikely hero this season.
Approaching 90 minutes, we need to manage the game. Four additional minutes announced. Mhueka almost breaks through but the keeper blocks.
Payton has an effort inside the Celtic box but Johnstone is behind it. Celtic force another corner. No rush — but please, something different. Baur goes short, plays a one‑two with Tierney, and delivers for Mhueka who can’t get enough on the header. Celtic still attack and Forrest flashes a ball across the six‑yard box with no takers. Mhueka is foiled yet again by the keeper. What a cameo — so much involvement in so little time.
St Johnstone waste a late opportunity and the final whistle goes. Again, not a comfortable win. Again, a controversial VAR decision. Again, we get the three points.
And you can’t help but wonder if Mhueka’s first goal arrives against our city rivals on Sunday.
