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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BelfastCityCelt says:
18 December, 2011 at 23:13
Good man. 13 players should give us a chance against the honest mistake mob.
I would go with…
………………..FF………………
Matthews…Rogne…Big Vic…Big Chico
Forrest..Brown..Kayal..Ledley..Samaras
……………Hoops………………..
As the game opens up after 60-65 mins I would look to Stokes or Ki…..but i wouldn’t take anybody off:)
However, we have another game and half a dozen training sessions to get through, so I suspect we may be missing another 4 or 5 with injury by then. Although even at that, there wouldn’t be a starting place for Bangura. I’d play John Clark up front first.
Caesar
only lived in Ayr for 6 years pal …NO
nae idea where it is
goldstar10
Newspaper journos (now more than ever) are desperately trying to stay in the loop – ‘I have an exclusive’, etc, etc.
It’s already guaranteed – all will be quiet until 26th/27th/28th December (delete where applicable) and will no doubt involve some type of ‘Ref/SFA/anyone-we-can-get-a-hold-of folds in front of Celtic pressure’ type bollocks.
….PFayr says:
18 December, 2011 at 23:14
gives the impression of a wee loud mouth
thats the whole of n. Ireland
2 mouthpieces right enough
Ceaser67 says:
18 December, 2011 at 23:18
i have seen that wee story doing the rounds the last couple of days
anybody think wee “Alistair” isnt looking forward to the 28th?
Bucecassavettes:
what are Guidi’s credentials as a pro out of interest?
I know he was at Celtic Boys Club for a few years.
TJ
Maybe it was the Bobby Jones??
T J
Played in goals for Albion Rovers for a few seasons.
Ceasar67…….what’s the wee story doing the rounds…?
Tommy Joad
Did he not play a handful of games in goal for St Mirren?
Seems to be suggested by Jim Delahunt whenever he enters into any worthwhile debate with Joe Public.
Re all the chat about the 28th.
We have a game before then , and to quote the great MoN , our priority is to win the next game.
A good result on 28th is irrelevant if we don’t beat Kilmarnock.
Personally , I think Rankers mindset on the 28th will be to ensure they finish the night still top of the league.
From our perspective, our priority must be to close the gap.
If that means , we win Saturday, they draw Saturday , and we both draw on the 28th, I would take that sequence of results right now.
Tommy Joad
Correction – see Caesar67’s post.
Caeser and Brucecassavettes, cheers, didn’t know that.
Similar to Jabba’s handful of games with Airdrie reserves then !!!
TJ
67H
??
no me antrimkev said it.
Dan out for up to 6 weeks is a massive blow
Once again our defence is criticised for being shakey??
7 SPL wins on the trot 2 goals conceded
Dan v the Orc is a blow
BBC Alba
Crowd singing ‘Tommy Burns’ – will this make the back (and front) pages of the papers tomorrow?
Hmmmmm.
Is there any chance Izzy and Big Kelvin will be available on the 28th?
pauloantony
Big Dan out – might be a blow.
Naismith out – definitely a blow.
Clashcitybhoy says:
18 December, 2011 at 23:34
Good point, getting ahead of ourselves.
The secret weapon v Kilmarnock will be Collum – what’s the betting he will emerge from nowhere for that one? He will sort a red card out for someone, probably Big Vic or Hooperman, to help Neil pick his team.
Or Heaven forbid, he actually gets the 28th?
I will take 1-0 v Kilmarnock and hope FF saves their late penalty.
Sabre67
Re Collum – if bookies are giving odds on Jelavic scoring from penalties (9/2 against Hibs), what are the odds on certain refs officiating certain games?
Ceaser67 says:
18 December, 2011 at 23:38
67H
??
no me antrimkev said it.
the wee story about “alistair” met a Celtic fan at the airport and the Celtic fan said to him, “take this as a compliment, Celtic fans refer to you as the anti-christ” or something along those lines
“cheeky chappy” says “i took it as a compliment, because it means i hurt them so much” or something along those lines
im 35, i always remember a git with a moustache and used to play for liverpool being referred to as the anti-christ, never the fat one?
i think “cheeky chappy ally” knows he is in for a rough time come the 28th for his actions in the SNP’s shame game and is telling everyone it is because of what he done in his playing career against us and not for when he looked like th sleekit wee bawbag that he is
After colums effereeing at pittodrie he should be demoted to ladies netball. Heard he likes black knickers!!
We will not lose another league game until the league is won.
There I said it, and I believe it as well.
few times James F not passing to Dylan
hope that’s just a wee minor issue
antrimkev
Yep, Saint Alistair of Govan placing his stake in the ground before any ‘mayhem’ erupts in case things don’t go his way.
Just enjoyed the game today, as I did Thursday – as I have been regularly of late.
Thank you Lenny for restoring my joy in following Celtic. I’m sorry I ever doubted you. There’s a long way to go, and the hun are getting their usual heid-start from their masonic pals in black, but to win this league… oh my goodness, it would be the best ever.
Vewy pwoud, vewy pwoud.
Ceaser67
referee at ibrox yest should be demoted too
awful display
3 big ones
No doubt the singing at the game today will be from a ‘chastised’ support.
anttrimtim
Ta for that info.
Alls going ok just now but its in our own hands after the last 2 hun ref games. Nite Bhoys. H H
Please, Celtic –
1) Get Killie dealt with in jig time.
2) Slap Rangers about like a wet tracksuit.
big Tam nearly put that one, in if it wisnae for 88
T C
It’ll get worse. You couldnt embarras the fe&kers!!
Antrim Kev
Ceasar67
My excuse is that I was ragin’ after watching the ICT Lowlights, (or should that be the rankers lowlifes) ….The January sale should be interesting this year…?……off to bed now…..Hail Hail to all….JINGLE BELLS…!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bruce- Guidi was the only hack, who for weeks after the Dougie Dougie affair,called out Dallas.Both re his absence and his cover up statement. on Snyde.
Antrimkev,
Family aw fae Creggan, Aunty Mary still goin strong well in tae her 80’s, an her scottish bhoys are doin aw rite
I thought this season was going to be a new Dawn, with that new guy taking over from Dullass.
Aye right.
I really hope we beat the Killie Huns and totally horse TFOD on the 28th. Score 6 goals Celtic cos they will get 2 penalties for bugger all and chop 2 off us.
5 sleeps til Killie pie are square-goed (c that?)
6 sleeps til Satnav comes doon the chimney
9 sleeps til the big one
wooft
:)
theweegreenman
they’ve moved the goalposts
new strategy is more streamline
eddie, tae shug and big davie at yoofa
15k penalty
skoosh
dunno why they never thunk of it afore
67Heaven … I am Neil Lennon..!! Tick Tock !! says:
18 December, 2011 at 23:58
the decisions in that game are disgusting – 3 big decisions and they all favour rangers and win them 3 points, just like in their last game at home a ref helps them to 3 points
the thing that keeps me going is fatty says he is proud of his team for the way they kept going and won the match#
he genuinley dosent have a clue (a rangers supporting colleague of mine was at the game on saturday – she text me today and said “my phone will be turned off 28th and 29th December i dont want to hear from any gloating tims”
Elbows, Bartley and Laughatme will all start on the 28th
we need a strong referee
his “tat