Celtic moved to within goal difference of securing the Scottish Premier League title by opening up an 18 point lead with six games remaining after a two goal victory over St Johnstone at Celtic Park today. Second half goals from Georgios Samaras and an own goal by Chris Millar settled the game which looked even for long spells.
Samaras has been like a player reborn in recent weeks and continued in the same manner today. From the opening minutes of the game he thundered down the left wing using pace and skill at close quarters to strain the St Johnstone defence.
Gary Hooper could have done better when Anthony Stokes fed him early on but his chip was collected by St Johnstone keeper Allan Mannus. Once play stopped referee Salmond booked Maybury for his foul on Stokes as the Celtic striker played the ball forward for Hooper but despite therefore acknowledging the offence, the ref failed to pull play back after Hooper failed to gain any advantage.
Kris Commons is still looking for his first goal of the season and twice came close today. In the first half Stokes held the ball inside the box until Commons arrives to shoot from 8 yards but he knocked the effort narrowly wide. In the second half a swerving shot was on target for the top right corner of the net before Mannus got a touch.
Liam Craig was St Johnstone’s principle threat and he brought a good save out of Fraser Forster from a free kick midway through the first half. Celtic struggled to create much in the opening period but Michael Lustig crossed from the right wing but found no takers despite running along the six yard line.
Celtic should have taken the lead a minute from the break. Commons sent in a free kick, Samaras missed a header and Mannus blocked but Charlie Mulgrew was on hand the head the rebound, only to see his effort cleared off the line.
Cillian Sheridan and Francisco Sandaza both had good headed efforts to open the scoring early in the second half but neither found the target.
Celtic stepped up the pace just after the hour after Ki and Matthews replaced Stokes and Lustig. Scott Brown saw a shot from inside the D saved.
The opening goal arrived on 66 minutes after Georgios Samaras was involved in a couple of scuffles. The Greek international was grounded inside the box and was then shoved off the ball within seconds of getting back to his feet, again inside the box but the referee didn’t see it. Samaras clearly took exception to this treatment and a moment later shielded the ball using his body until he was dragged to the ground.
It looked like a feisty play by Samaras who was clearly animated. When Kris Commons swung in the resultant free kick Samaras rose and headed back across goal and into the net.
St Johnstone pressed forward looking for an equaliser and might have got one had Adam Matthews not made a last ditch interception to turn the ball behind for a corner. With St Johnstone forward for the set piece Celtic broke quickly. Commons carried the ball forward, and with everyone one else on the field running at full pace, he took a second before sending a 60 yard pass across field to Ki. Ki moved inside before playing the ball out to Samaras on the right. Samaras crossed for Hooper but the ball was turned into the net by Millar.
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Silver City
Dont want to guess but have txtd mate to ask him 3rd
Ghuys,
Lustig is getting some unjustified stick re yesterday’s game.
It was his second game in a number of months , home debut and a must win game, I was therefore not expecting the big man to be rampaging down the wing but rather to hold his position and ensure that we keep a clean sheet, after 2 defeats.
I thought he was quick in the tackle and gave his opposite number little room……and in addition, his height means that we are not vulnerable to the high ball stuck up to the back post.
Good to see KC last the 90 minutes, I was expecting him to get the hook as he looked knackered after 75 minutes……
Parkheadcumsalford
I heard the always-interesting John Bell on Thought for the Day too. And I thought the same as you, that he was going to talk about a group of ‘we deserve betters’ from nearer home than Buenos Aires.
What he described was amazing, and I chastised myself for not having heard about this amazing game that was 5-5 in the closing minutes only for the upstarts to snatch it with a glorious last-minute winner.
Well, I’ve checked. The first Superclásico since River’s relegation was January 25 2012. Boca won it 2-0. There has never been a 6-5 scoreline, although River has won the encounter 5-4 once (1972) and 5-3 twice (1939 and 1957).
You’re thinking Revd Bell was spinning us a parable, right?
I can’t make head nor tail of it.
I think Sammi is right up there with Messi but for god’s sake bin the dayglo boots.It’s like watching a particularly boring episode of ‘in the night garden’.
Hail Hail
Estadio
Estadio on 2 April, 2012 at 09:39 said:
Was in Sharkey’s last Wednesday for a couple before going to see Mark Steel in the Citz’. I heard Mark had was drinking there the night before, did you get to meet him (or indeed did he get to meet you). Funny guy and I think you would like him.
embdy trying tae get a ticket online?
Anyone else heard the Craig Gordon rumour …?
Gorbalstam,
Sadly I didn’t make Sharkeys on wednesday as I was suffering God getting me back for decades of self inflicted abuse.
Sorry I missed you.
BTW Was chatting with David Hayman who was in a couple of weeks ago. He is in The Citizen’s at the moment in King Lear.
Sharkeys is at the epicentre of the entertainment world.
Hail Hail
Estadio
estadio
The boots where dayglo allright
and looked 2 sizes to big
but he played well
so did lustig i dont know
why hes getting so much
negativity for the short space of
time he was on
The game was keech .. Watching as Sindid on my iPad in Findhorn… BUT
Important to remember that the league is won. Motivation levels not as high than when we had to win it.
Sammi showing his class. Performed like that every game he is heading to EPL big club.
This work nonsense is getting in the way of my CQN
Morning all from gay Paree, bright spring morning (17C max today, allegedly).
bigjie on 2 April, 2012 at 08:51, thanks for the BBC highlight, which I can’t get here.
Don’t know who the commentator was, but he was full of wee snidey remarks:
“Celtic, of course, blew their chance to win the title last weekend.”
“blew their chance to win the title” ???
Eh, I don’t think so, pal.
;o)
Buzz word for this week is … liquidation.
Imagine winning the title and the Hun kicking the bucket before the split !?!
JCGE, Sixtaeseven
EHBhoy- I agree, he did OK. (Mikael Lustig, welcome to Celtic 9/10 every week required).
Also, Glenn Loovens, since he replaced the very poor Rogne in the 2011 LCF, can someone point out where he has had a “shocker” in the 12 months since then?
Cultsbhoy
The game was far from ‘keech’. You need to ditch the iPad and try watching Celtic in the flesh. The difference is akin to that between watching a cooking programme on More4 and eating a brilliant dinner.
Morning all
Took a worryingly long time to get into gear yesterday, but care not a jot – one point away from glory, and how I would love it, just love it if it was taken at Rugby Park. As much as it would be nice to win it in front of a packed Paradise, I strangely find it all the more satisfying winning it on another mobs’ midden.
HH
Giggs
sixtaseven no newco in thespl not negotiable
Do you frequent the c.f.c pub that
is next to the moulin rouge which the
name escapes me
Estadio .
Montalbano and spaghetti bolognese in the same sentence ?
Absolute heresy ! .
Montalbano would rather starve than eat that Italo -American bastardization known as spaghetti bolognese..
I have fond memories of being in a wee trattoria in central Bologna —– big notice behind the counter —-” we don’t serve the gloop known as Bolognese –if you really want that we recommend you go to New Jersey ”
Buon appetito !
Morning all.
Enjoyed yesterday’s game, thought big Sammi was excellent. Changed my POY from Ledley to Mulgrew after yesterday’s performance. Super Joe has gone off hte boil the last four or five games, Big Chico looked back to his best yesterday. Roll on the weekend!
67Heaven
Pre contract?
Tamstered – aye, progress bar is going backwards!
Yeah…I really don’t understand Lustig getting pelters…what I saw was a rookie Bhoy doing very well…bombing down the right wing when needed and getting back at speed when required. The team is still a work in progress,and we have a lot to anticipate in coming seasons,so long as N.L. stays in place.
Managing Celtic is a very hard job,especially in the modern era,and I truly hope that N.L. remains.
Serge on 2 April, 2012 at 10:11 said:
No idea …. Got a text from a friend last night….
Cathal – thanks for the heads up. Got 25’s with Bet365, I would imagine the Betfair price will be even higher.
Good luck.
TTTT
South Of Tunis on 2 April, 2012 at 10:08 said:
Montalbano and spaghetti bolognese in the same sentence ?
Absolute heresy ! .
>>>!<<<
Anyone for that other faux Italian abberation : pizza? Bada Bing! Bada Boom!
Cathal at 9.20. Thanks for that. Got It at a whopping 25/1 on bet365.
Jobo
South of Tunis
mea Culpa!!
But this Spag Bog whose stains litter every shirt I have is not just any old mince and pasta concoction, it’s not even a marks and spencer cordon vert extravaganza, THIS is Estadio’s Spaghetti Bolognese which in the world ranking of pasta palate perfections is like comparing Jinky to Sebo.
The most stained shirts usually result from trying to watch The Killing and eat at the same time.
Hail Hail
Estadio
67Heaven
Mates in the Burgh have said for a while he wants back up to Scotland, We are the only club who could afford his wages. Not heard our name or any other club been mentioned though.
Estadio on 2 April, 2012 at 10:19 said:
>>>>><<<<<
Yeah…..Those Who Kill is a disaster area as well!
Anybody watching Homeland?
My nine year old son, who has no interest in football, just asked me, “I don’t get it, dad. If Rangers have spent all their money and owe millions of pounds, why don’t the people running the league just kick them out?”
You try answering that without teaching your son the whole range of swear words!
woohoo got ticket for ayrshire huns £31.50
I searched on the internet yesterday and again this morning but still can’t find it.
Has anyone seen the statement from the SFA/SPL regarding the lack of audited accounts by the 31st March from the Scottish Institutional Club (SIC)?.
Has anyone seen the statement explaining what this means to both that club and of course to the rest of the clubs fighting for a place in Europe?
Yet more dereliction of duty from Messrs Reagan and Doncaster, this does not need any enquiry or tribunal this event has happened, do your jobs.
Vale hoy
LOTS OF LOL
Estadio
No problem,its actually very basic stuff,if you need anymore info or a wee bit better an explanation feel free to email me,just ask our host for my address.
HH
Serge
Case of wait and se, I suppose…..not too sure I am keen on that one
tigertim on 2 April, 2012 at 10:24 said:
~~~~~~~~~~
What is the score with this? And what about the FIVE charges of bringing the game into disrepute? One rule for them……………….
Tamstered, how long were you waiting? Been on an hour now!
Estadio—-
Food stains on shirts reminds me of the character in The Furry Freak Brothers who kept dribbled /dropped food in his beard for hard times.
Living in this part of Sicily means I am surrounded by the Montalbano tourism industry. I was in Punta Secca last week [ where Montalbano lives ] Walked past a trattoria featuring a notice stating —-
” inspector Montalbano dines here ”
To which someone had added —
” Only when very very drunk “
Hopefully when the title is won we can give a few of the kids a run out,
Would love to see how this team would play together
Forster
Matthews
Rogne
Mulgrew
Izzaguirre
Forrest
Brown
George
McGeouch
Brozek
Watt