Celtic were always in control against St Johnstone in Perth this afternoon and deservedly picked up the three points although it took them almost an hour to open the scoring. Gary Hooper knocked in a loose ball on 59 minutes before Ki Sung-Yeung finished off a sweeping Celtic brea five minutes later.
St Johnstone kept things tight early on and kept Celtic from creating a chance before Georgios Samaras created space for a shot which was saved well by Enckelman. Celtic’s best move of the first half came after 31 minutes when Ki, Forrest and Brown combined to release Hooper. The striker shot low and on target but Enckelman pulled off a remarkable save.
Both teams picked up the pace after half time but it was Mackay who created the first chance of the second period, forcing a save from Fraser Forster. Cha DuRi twice crossed dangerously. Firstly for Hooper, whose hooked effort from 4 yards was turned over by the impressive Enckelman. James Forrest then turned a snatched chance over from Cha’s next effort.
Just before the hour Charlie Mulgrew dropped a corner into the six yard box which Victor Wanyama contested. The ball dropped between a sea of St Johnstone legs but Hooper was onto it in a flash and prodded over.
The game was put beyond the home team five minutes later. St Johnstone were awarded a free kick on the edge of the Celtic penalty area after Mulgrew was penalised for climbing. The Celtic was stood strong and from the subsequence block James Forrest drove forward at pace. Samaras returned a 1-2 to Forrest to drew Enckelman before squaring for the unmarked Ki. The Saints’ keeper did well but could not prevent Ki’s shot from crossing the line.
Samaras mishit a shot after the impressive Cha again crossed to effect before the Greek striker ran 40 yards and had his shot blocked.
St Johnstone’s only real chance fo the game came when Wanyama slipped to let Haber close in on Forster but the keeper was equal to the shot.
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CFC
C’Mon The Hoops
No the bridesmaid again!
Woo-hoo
This week’s losses recovered – Man U, Liverpool, Celtic and Man City.
Jobo
Ya beauty a 1st fae a bus comin back fae Perth!!
Beat that Philvis :))
Just seen the save from Hooper on 31st minute. Brilliant.
Mick says:
18 December, 2011 at 17:59
Cool
I will be taking a wee sojourn down in there (Chester) in the New Year.
Mick
You’ll be made very, very welcome by the Chester Bhoys, not least Celtic_First if he’s about.
I’m departing Chester on 2nd or 3rd January and moving 222 miles closer to Celtic Park.
SwanseaBhoy
Great win, some top class performances.
Man of the Match: travelling support !
Feckn brilliant.
SwanseaBhoy
FFs thought Mt Salmond would have put you off..arrra best
Thanks bhoys for the bbc alba tip.
I can now say Samaras in Gaelic.
It’s err, Samaras.
Good result today, thought it might have been a banana skin tbh.
Had a look at the discipline record for the season so far and barring anyone getting sent off on the 24th we have no player under threat of suspension for the 28th.
Interesting looking at the stats, Celtic top of the fair play this season so far: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/stats/discipline/_/league/sco.1/scottish-premier-league?cc=5739
Vaultbhoy
BBC ALBA…c;maheraraho Hooper sitter!
Anyone got the foul stats for today’s game please?
Watching first half – playing well within ourselves. Very comfortable.
Any news on big Dan?
HT, sad, that’s all I’ll say;-)
hh
bjmac
Philbhoy – It’s just the beginning! says:
18 December, 2011 at 18:20
13 St J vs 6 CFC according to BBC
3 points, 2 goals for , none against. That’ll do for me cocker!!
Great result bhoys, keep the pressure on the scum-bags
Hail Hail
KINGLuBO
St johnstone my ar*e!
They kicked lumps out of us in the first half.
Do they play like this every week?
Naw, thought not.
BBC Alba displaying a clear anti-Celtic agenda.
Probably.
Was great watchin the match on Celtic tv because the commentating is SO much better than anything on espn, sky, setanta whatever!!!!!
Just like chatting to a couple of fellow tims while watching
Really feared big dan injury would upset the defence but brilliant to see Rogne step in and settle in beside the ever impressive Victor Wanyama
Now have to go and watch Fred Clause with the family!!! perfect day watching christmas movies after seeing the Celtic win AGAIN
CultsBhoy hates being 2nd says:
18 December, 2011 at 18:20
BBC ALBA…c;maheraraho Hooper sitter!
watching as wee speak…………….commentary…….crazy stuff!
Enjoyed the game today good solid performance and 3 more valuable points.
My son pointed out an advert at McDiarmid Park up the back of the faraway end behind the goal for Murdo Fraser and Liz somebody.
I thought we were supposed to be keeping politics out of football, i find the hypocrisy offensive as well as the tories.
Vaultbhoy
Thanks!
Every one of there fouls looks like an assault.
Brother norris is his usual self. As are his assistants.
They are either incompetent or cheats.
You decide.
Bjmac
Fractured cheek bone.
4-6 weeks has been mentioned on here.
Safe home big man!
We were a little lethargic first half but Neil obviously injected a wee bit urgency at HT.
At HT, I was concerned that James Forrest was unable to produce 2 good games in succession, but he was much better in the second half.
3 points. Clean sheet. Putting together an impressive winning run.
What’s not to like?
Look out Ally, the team in the rear view mirror is closer than it seems.
‘GG
Too bad about Big dan. He was on a roll!
Thomas back, Izzy very close to a return, big kelvin Wilson fit. Chas played the full 90 today.
Lots of options.
No worries.
Went to Legends today to watch game
How apt that I met a CQN legend in there CQN’s weatherman JOBO.
Thats me got 3 on my CQN bingo card
JTsticks
Jobo Baldie
MWD when i bought charity tkts at a game
ps BOBO once when I described myself as 6ft 3 and 17 stone your wee sidekick JT reckoned my scales were broke
can u confirm i dont look an ounce over 17 stone :>)
Goals from today , apologies if posted already
http://www.kirkintillochemerald.co.uk/showthread.php?p=24881#post24881
Excellent win today – well done to all concerned
Always difficult to come back from a big European tie and win
HH
bigjie
You don’t ever need to apologies for posting the goals!
Thanks!
This is the best I’ve seen Cha. Great Cross there.
Gooooooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaalllllllllllllllllllllllll
Tap in from Hooper.
Wonderful goal!
SJ free kick for nothing that I can see.
Now that is a GOAL.
Why is the MIB talking to our manager?
Parkheadcumsalford
I think he questioned the booking Kayal received