St Johnstone 0-3 Celtic: Hoops open league campaign with win
- adamhigginsuk
- Aug 13, 2014
- 9 min read
Man in the middle: Biton celebrates his penalty goal with team- mates Virgil van Dijk and Jo Inge Berget (Picture from SNS Group)
CELTIC eventually overcome a brave St Johnstone to launch their quest for a fourth successive Scottish Premiership title with victory at McDiarmid Park.
Anthony Stokes broke the deadlock 10 minutes after the break, capitalising on a defensive lapse from Steven Anderson to squeeze home an accomplished finish.
Saints skipper Dave Mackay was denied a penalty at one end before being controversially sent off when adjudged to have felled Derk Boerrigter as the last man.
Nir Biton converted the resulting spotkick and Calum McGregor wrapped up the three points late on following a mistake from keeper Alan Mannus.
Off the mark: Norwegian Deila recorded his third win in his fifth game as Celtic manager - his first in the Scottish Premiership (Picture by Adam Higgins)
In the end, it was a comfortable winning start for Ronny Deila in his first league game in charge but the result hinged on two second half penalty incidents which went in Celtic's favour.
The Scottish Cup holders were a tough nut to crack in the first period although Saints boss Tommy Wright, who signed a three-year contract extension this week, will be disappointed in the manner his side conceded the initiative to the defending champions.
After their proposed league opener against Partick Thistle was postponed at weekend, Celtic took to the field after a hectic week in which they were dramatically reinstated to the Champions League but could still be eliminated from the competition.
Watching brief: Maribor's assistant coach was in the stands ahead of Celtic's proposed trip to Slovenia next Wednesday (Picture by Adam Higgins)
With Fraser Forster also completing his move to Southampton on Sunday, it opened the door for Craig Gordon to make his first competitive appearance since April 2012 in goal after joining as a free agent following a career-threatening knee injury.
In front of him, Mikael Lustig was a makeshift centre-back and took the captain's armband in the absence of the injured Scott Brown and suspended Charlie Mulgrew while winger James Forrest made his first start of the campaign after a spell on the sidelines.
New signing Jason Denayer was among the substitutes but fellow loanee Aleksandar Tonev was injured and Leigh Griffiths missed out through illness.
Saints, who were knocked out of the Europa League last week, responded with an opening league win over Ross County in their first match since the sale of prolific striker Stevie May to Sheffield Wednesday.
Wright made three changes from the 2-1 victory in Dingwall as namesake Frazer Wright, Scott Brown and David Wotherspoon dropped to the bench with Brian Easton - back from an ankle knock, Lee Croft and Liam Caddis coming in.
Success reminder: The Scottish Cup made an appearance at McDiarmid Park prior to kick-off (Picture by Adam Higgins)
The Perth faithful were in buoyant mood ahead of kick-off as chairman Steve Brown and father Geoff paraded the Scottish Cup trophy onto the pitch.
But the atmosphere became subdued once Celtic made a lively start with last season's 32-goal top scorer Kris Commons - making his 100th league appearance for the club - and Emilio Izaguirre particularly prominent.
Lone frontman Stokes dropped deep to get involved as the Hoops bossed the possession in the early exchanges, without finding any fluidity or rhythm.
Forrest cut inside on his left foot to drag a shot wide after a threaded pass through by Commons deceived Saints full-back Tam Scobbie.
But with the build-up play often slow and laborious, the hosts easily repelled any signs of danger by defending solidly in numbers.
And, after failing to make any kind of attacking impact, they almost snatched the lead against the run of play on 20 minutes.
Steven MacLean, often an iscolated and lonely figure in attack, made room for a shot 20 yards out and gave Gordon his first test with a firm right-footer which was parried clear by the Celtic keeper.
Responsibility: MacLean will be expected to carry the extra scoring burden after the departure of Stevie May (Picture from Adam Higgins)
The former Aberdeen striker then fired off target from an instep volley after Caddis crossed at the second time of asking from the right flank.
Frustrated by the crowded Saints midfield, the visitors were restricted to few glimpses of goal in the first half.
Stefan Johansen fired over from range and Stokes's 25-yard free-kick arched inches wide of the left-hand post.
Their first effort on target took 37 minutes to arrive when Calum McGregor's tame effort was kept out by Mannus.
SAINTS V CELTIC: MATCH FACTS
Anthony Stokes has now scored 12 goals in 17 career appearances against St Johnstone, including a hat-trick at Celtic Park last season. He also netted twice in Celtic's first league fixture of last season against Ross County.
Celtic have won on just two of their last five league trips to McDiarmid Park.
The Hoops are unbeaten in their opening league fixture of an SPL season since a 2-1 reverse against Hibernian in 1997.
Saints have not beaten Celtic since coming from behind to claim a 2-1 victory in Perth in September 2012.
Former Hearts stopper Craig Gordon, 31, made his first appearance in Scotland's top-flight since April 2007 and only his second competitive outing in the last three and a half years.
Saints, who introduced David Wotherspoon for Caddis at the interval, continued to soak up the pressure at the start of the second period as the Hoops struggled to increase the intensity.
Indeed, the hosts almost took a fortuitous lead when MacLean diverted Michael O'Halloran's cross-cum-shot narrowly wide after it cannoned off Virgil van Dijk.
In a promising spell for the Perth side, Croft's driven effort was directed over the crossbar by the raised leg of van Dijk.
But their hard work was undone as Celtic were gifted the opening goal after 55 minutes.
Commons hunted down a hesitant Anderson with a sliding tackle which released Stokes, who pounced to race clear and round Mannus before sliding home from a tight angle to open his account for the season.
Deila's side began to find their feet with McGregor going close to an immediate second with a snapshot after picking up Mackay's clearance from an Izaguirre cross.
Both sides made changes as the hour mark approached with Celtic's Dutch winger Boerrigter replacing Forrest while O'Halloran made way for on-loan Yeovil forward Adam Morgan, who was handed his Saints debut.
Another Saints opening came to nothing when Scobbie looped a harmless effort over the top, snatching the ball away from team-mate Gary McDonald.
But the potential turning point arose midway through the half when Saints clamoured for a penalty after Mackay took the ball away from van Dijk and went down in the box under the Dutchman's challenge.
The vehement appeals were waved away - and Saints had reason to be further disgruntled when Celtic were awarded a contentious spotkick of their own minutes later.
Boerrigter latched onto a delightful Izaguirre pass and delayed his fall to the ground following minimal contact from Mackay, who was subsequently sent off by referee John Beaton.
Seeing red: Saints skipper Mackay was given his marching orders with 15 minutes remaining (Picture by Adam Higgins)
With Commons off the field having been substituted, Biton took the responsibility and sent Mannus the wrong way from 12 yards to net his first Celtic goal.
As the Hoops poured forward at pace, the home defence became stretched in the closing stages with Boerrigter causing problems and catching the eye.
His powerful free-kick was unconvincingly spilled by Mannus but Anderson was on hand to clear the loose ball.
And Mannus had a moment to forget six minutes from time as the Bhoys suddenly established a comfortable advantage.
McGregor finished off a free-flowing move by collecting Biton's pass and fizzing a low shot through Mannus, who allowed the ball to squirm under his body and roll over the line.
The Irish keeper made a fine stop to deny McGregor another goal shortly after but by that time, Celtic had long since sealed an important victory which sets them up well in their mission to continue their top-flight dominance.
The Hoops face early league leaders Dundee United on Saturday but await with bated breath the result of Legia Warsaw's appeal against their European explusion, which will be announced by Uefa on Thursday.
? DID YOU KNOW ?
Celtic have now won their last seven SPL opening fixtures.
August 2008 Celtic 1-0 St Mirren Report
August 2009 Aberdeen 1-3 Celtic Report
August 2010 Inverness CT 0-1 Celtic Report
July 2011 Hibernian 0-2 Celtic Report
August 2012 Celtic 1-0 Aberdeen Report
August 2013 Celtic 2-1 Ross County Report
August 2014 St Johnstone 0-3 Celtic
Wednesday 13th August 2014 SPFL Scottish Premiership
McDiarmid Park (Perthshire, Central Scotland)
St Johnstone 0-3 Celtic KO 7:45pm Live on Sky Sports 5/HD5 (HT 0-0)
Stokes 55 Biton 76 (pen) McGregor 84
St Johnstone (4-2-3-1): 1 Mannus - 6.5/10, 2 Mackay (C) - 6.5/10, 4 Anderson - 5/10, 3 Scobbie - 6.5/10, 24 Easton - 6/10, 7 Millar - 7/10, 8 McDonald - 6.5/10 (Miller 78 - 2.5/10), 22 Croft - 7/10, 16 Caddis - 6/10 (Wotherspoon 45 - 5.5/10), 29 O'Halloran - 6.5/10 (Morgan 60 - 4.5/10), 9 MacLean - 6.5/10.
Subs not used: 15 Banks (GK), 5 Wright, 20 Brown, 25 Kane.
Booked: Mackay (57), Wotherspoon (68)
Sent-off: Mackay (75)
Celtic (4-2-3-1): 26 Gordon - 8.5/10, 2 Matthews - 7.5/10, 23 Lustig (C) - 8/10, 5 van Dijk - 9/10, 3 Izaguirre - 8.5/10, 6 Biton - 8/10, 25 Johansen - 7.5/10, 49 Forrest - 7/10 (Boerrigter 58 - 5/10), 15 Commons - 7/10 (Berget 66 - 4/10), 42 McGregor - 8/10, 10 Stokes - 7.5/10 (Beram Kayal 73 - 3.5/10).
Subs not used: 24 Zaluska (GK), 4 Ambrose, 22 Denayer, 20 Pukki.
Booked: Johansen (51)
My Man of the Match: Virgil van Dijk (Celtic) - 9/10 My Poorest Performer of the Match: Steven Anderson (St Johnstone) - 5/10
Referee: John Beaton (Scotland) - 7.5/10
Assistant referees: Alasdair Ross (Scotland) and Dougie Potter (Scotland)
Fourth Official: George Salmond (Scotland)
Attendance: 6,890
MANAGER & PLAYER REACTION:
St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright
"I've just told the players to concentrate on the performance, forget about the result. There's nothing we can do about it but the performance was excellent. I think Celtic had a lot of possession early on in the first half without creating anything. We nullified them. As the game went on, I thought we got more into it, particularly towards the end of the first half. I thought second half we were in total control. We make a little mistake and get punished and then we should get a penalty. We don't get it and then they shouldn't get a penalty at the other end and the game is dead. We have somebody sent off for it as well, but what I can say and what I want to say are two different things so we'll just concentrate on the performance and move on."
Celtic manager Ronny Deila
"I thought the second half was OK. First half was bad, I think there was no intensity in the game. The first 20 was OK when we get around the box and around the sides but then we started going through the middle and lose balls all the time. Second half we get up in the intensity and pressure and we started to create things as well. There's a long way to go. I think the boys are working hard and they try to do things. Of course it is [this team is a working progress]. As I said earlier, we have to add up a lot during the season and we're going to do that. Yes [we could have had a penalty against us] but during the season you're going to ask me about decisions a lot of the time and I'm going to tell you the same thing every time. That's during a whole season these decisions will be right in the end and the best team will win in the end. Sometimes you get some with you, sometimes you get them against you."
Celtic goalkeeper Craig Gordon
"It was nice to be back and the three points was good as well. But for myself personally, it's been a long battle to get to this point and just to get out there was very pleasing. Yeah I think so [this Celtic team is a working progress]. We could have played better tonight but we've got three points and three goals, we'll take the positives out of that. We're still building towards the future and we've got some new signings we've made in the last few days to come into that as well so we're working towards making ourselves better and improving."
Celtic defender Virgil van Dijk
"It was great [to play with Craig Gordon]. He kept a clean sheet, which was the most important thing of course. It was good for him to play his first match after a long time so I think it is a great night. I don't know [if I should have conceded a penalty]. It's not that I wanted to touch him or anything. I think he's just hit my leg. I think the ref could have given it but he didn't so that's the decision he made. I don't know [if I'll be hear for the forseeable future]. We will see. I wanna play in the Champions League and I hope it's going to happen here."
Last updated: 14 August 2014 00:03am
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