CELTIC: NO PERTHQUAKE THIS TIME!

CELTIC return to the scene of the crime when they visit St Johnstone tomorrow afternoon.

The last time the Hoops lost to Scottish opposition was at McDiarmid Park on Wednesday, May 11, 2016 when they went down 2-1 to the Saints.

Ronny Deila had one more Premiership game to preside over after that defeat before his two-year reign as the champions’ boss came to an end.

Celtic hammered Motherwell 7-0 four days later in the Norwegian’s final appearance at Parkhead before the appointment of Brendan Rodgers.

Since then, the Irishman has led the Invincibles to 62 games without defeat on the domestic front as the club equalled their own 100-year record with a 1-1 draw against Kilmarnock last weekend.

Back in May last year, the unfortunate Efe Ambrose, now with Hibs, was the blunder Bhoy in Perth as Tommy Wright’s side came from a goal behind to claim three points.

Leigh Griffiths’ solo effort put the visitors ahead as he took his tally for the season to a remarkable 40 – the first Celt to reach the figure since Henrik Larsson.

Stefan Johansen was caught in possession and gifted Steven MacLean the equaliser and then Israeli defender Ambrose collided with keeper Logan Bailly to allow Graham Cummins to stab in the winner 13 minutes from time.

It was Deila’s side’s fourth league defeat of the season following two reverses – both 2-1 – against Aberdeen at Pittodrie and another 2-1 loss against Motherwell in Glasgow.

The last Celtic team to lose in actual play was: Bailly; Janko (sub: Ralston 74), Ambrose, Sviatchenko, Izaguirre; Johansen (sub: Bitton 66), McGregor; Roberts, Allan (sub: Rogic 80), Christie; Griffiths.

The Parkhead outfit went into that encounter on the back of an unbeaten run of 15 games. Their only previous loss had been suffered against the Dons on February 3.

They travelled to McDiarmid Park after wrapping up their fifth successive championship two games earlier with a 3-1 victory over Hearts at Tynecastle on April 2.

In fact, the Perth outfit are the only domestic side to beat the Hoops during actual playing time in their last 79 outings.

With Deila in the dug-out, they were defeated just once in a regulation game in his last 17 encounters before he made way for the Irishman in May 2016.

The Parkhead outfit went out of the Scottish Cup semi-final 5-4 on penalty-kicks to Sevco Rangers in April last year, but the result in the record books show it as a 2-2 draw after extra-time.

ORDER BRENDAN RODGERS – THE ROAD TO PARADISE WITH A FREE GIFT INCLUDED FROM CQNBOOKSTORE.COM

Brendan Rodgers – The Road to Paradise is available now from CQNBookstore.com – the first 100 orders received will come with a free gift.

ORDER YOUR COPY NOW FROM CQNBOOKSTORE.COM AND RECEIVE A FREE GIFT WITH YOUR BOOK!