Celtic vs St. Johnstone

The Scottish champions can restore their nine-point lead over rivals Rangers with another victory against the Saints today. Gers got the job done last night in ...

[Postecoglou](https://www.footballscotland.co.uk/all-about/ange-postecoglou) was less than impressed and vowed to shuffle the pack in order to give some of his key players a wake-up call. A defeat for the pair, along with a shock Saints victory at Parkhead, would see the Perthshire side move behind only Celtic and Rangers in the league table. Callum Davidson's side are just a point behind Aberdeen and are level on points with Hearts. Gers got the job done last night in Dingwall by grinding out a 1-0 win, maintaining Michael Beale's 100% start as Ibrox boss. [St Johnstone](https://www.footballscotland.co.uk/all-about/st-johnstone-fc). [Livi](https://www.footballscotland.co.uk/all-about/livingston-fc) 2-1 at Parkhead.

St Johnstone have been ticking along nicely and have quietly moved up to fifth in the Scottish Premiership but facing the champions on their own patch is an ...

Carey has the ball rolling and it starts with a launch forward and May tries to get going very early. The goalkeeper palms it away with inches to spare and VAR agrees with the officials on this one. He goes beyond the away defence and cannons a cross off a defender. A brilliant break allows Mooy to set up the new right-back for a pop at goal, and it deflects into the net. Taylor and McGregor combine well and the latter sets him up so well for a clean strike at goal. He's caught on the ball and McGowan picks it off his feet, with the midfielder needing to claw him down to stop him advancing. He bursts into the penalty box and it looks a lost cause, but he somehow keeps it in. Great play by Taylor and Maeda allows O'Riley to fizz a ball into the box. Taylor is putting in the hard yards in attack and defence. The winger crosses it in and Kyogo cuts across to tap home. Kyogo's at the double and Hatate has got in on the act too with Saints looking at the second half ominously. James Forrest is keen to get in on the act.

On Christmas Eve (Saturday), Celtic will host St. Johnstone at Celtic Park as they push for the Scottish Premiership title in 2022-23.

St. In contrast, St. In this time, St. Mirren in August, the Celtic have won ten straight league games. A rampant Celtic team, who have enjoyed the majority of this matchup, stands in their way, despite the fact that they enter the weekend on a strong run of form. With a 2-1 victory over a determined Livingston team in midweek, Celtic maintained their excellent Premiership form.

Reo Hatate and Kyogo Furuhashi claimed a brace each as Celtic eased by St Johnstone to regain a nine-point lead at the summit of the Scottish Premiership.

Jota (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Attempt blocked. - Squad number4Player nameStarfeltAverage rating - Squad number13Player nameMooyAverage rating "I am really proud of the lads character in the second half. St Johnstone were up against it from the off. When they're in that kind of mood, they have total control of the affair. Celtic have so many strings to their bow. Against the grain, Saints pulled one back in impressive fashion. Hatate made it four when he latched on to a threaded through pass before sneaking the ball by Matthews. Matt O'Riley's flashed cross into the front-post was flicked in before he placed the finishing touch on a frantically fantastic move. There were no doubts, however, with his first-half, close-range brace.

Celtic vs St. Johnstone. Scottish Premiership. 12:30pm, Saturday 24th December 2022. Celtic ParkAttendance: ...

"Now there's a real hunger among the boys to create chances and score goals. I thought it was a strong performance and we started the game well. VAR took centre stage in Scotland again as Hatate's second was incorrectly ruled out for offside following a slick Celtic move which culminated with a neat flick from McGregor to set up the Japanese midfielder. "He's not a full-back that's for sure, but my feeling is that whatever negative stuff it brings defensively because he's not used to playing there, he'll give us more going forward. He's a smart footballer and he played left-back earlier in his career. Within four minutes, Kyogo doubled Celtic's lead with a neat flick in the six-yard box.

'So, what's your best Phil Mickelson story?' 'Will this be a pivotal moment? You can't say that unless you start playing more consistent rugby'.

Again the goal was flagged offside before VAR overturned the decision. The stand-in full-back had run on to McGregor’s pass and slotted into the far corner. Mooy’s lofted pass got Forrest in behind and the winger squared for Furuhashi to net from close range. There was no place for Ali Crawford following his match-winning double off the bench against Ross County as Saints started with Nicky Clark and Stevie May up front. Hatate was redeployed after Anthony Ralston failed to shake off the knock that forced him off against Livingston in midweek. The Japan international’s low cross eventually fell for Hatate, whose 20-yard strike was deflected inside the near post.