12 Mins – After a low key start Celtic get a free-kick at the edge of the box when James Forrest is brought down. Ryan Christie’s effort is so close to the opening goal as the North Stand rises to celebrate but the ball fails to find the net.
17 Mins – Burke intercepts a back pass and is pulled back. He keeps on his feet and gets a shot away but it is blocked for a corner. Unbelievably no card shown for the offence.
19 Mins – St Johnstone win a free kick in a dangerous position after Izaguirre’s foul on O’Haloran, and this results in Saints only corner of the half.
26 Mins – A wonderful cross from the left from Izaguirre is met by Scotty Sinclair whose header looks like giving Celtic the lead, but Clark saves.
29 Mins – Good play from Forrest results in another corner but it is wasted.
31 Mins – First booking of the game and it is to Ryan Christie for jumping away from a challenge.
32 Mins – Great strength from the impressive Burke who gathers at the edge of area, turns back and goes for the far corner with his shot, but it’s just wide.
38 Mins – Sustained pressure from Celtic results in an opening for Scott Brown from the edge of the area but his shot is off target.
40 Mins – Great run from defence for Ajer opens up the St Johnstone defence. Rather than shoot the 20 year old opts to pass to James Forrest, who should have done better.
45 Mins – Good cross from Lustig but no takers.
Half-time Celtic 0 St Johnstone 0
47 Mins – Christie goes close from distance with the first effort of the second half.
50 Mins – Lovely through ball by Scott Brown gets Forest in behind but his effort is blocked at the expense of a corner, which is cleared before Christie shoots from edge of the area but Clark saves.
53 Mins – Callum McGregor’s fine shot finds the bottom corner to give Celtic a well deserved lead.
55 Mins – Anything you can do I can do better is Christie’s message to Calmac! Lustig once again heavily involved – does no-one give him well deserved praise – and Christie curls his shot into the same corner. The players do an impromptu huddle as another Celtic Noise score prediction comes up!
57 Mins – A great Lustig cross is met by Christie but his header is just wide.
58 Mins – Broony gets another shot away, interrupted a chorus of Here We Go 10 in a Row to start a round of Sebo, Sebo!
67 Mins – First change from Brendan as Burke is replaced by Edouard.
68 Mins – Another great cross from Lustig but there are no takers for the tap in.
71 Mins – Free kick at the edge of the area as Sinclair is up-ended. Weah is called from behind the goals to get ready to come on. Sinclair’s shot is in target but Clark gathers. Weah replaces Sinclair.
75 Mins – Weah shots from 25 yards but no great threat to the Saints goal on this occasion.
78 Mins – Great close control from Edouard but he’s crowded out at the expense of another corner, which comes to nothing.
80 Mins – Christie is repacked by Bitton and receives a well deserved standing ovation.
83 Mins – McGregor’s fine shot saved by Clark then Izaguirre has a chance in front of goal but can’t get a shot away.
85 Mins – Sensational pass from Brown sets Forrest clear inside the Saints box but his cross is wasteful.
86 Mins – Forrest gets a shot away but it is off target. Not his best night in a Celtic shirt.
87 Mins – Another decent cross from Lustig after good play from Edouard.
88 Mins – Forrest gets to the byeline and his cross is blocked by the St Johnstone player’s arm for what should have been an easy decision, certainly for the Assistant Referee standing right there watching it. Unbelievably a corner is the decision. File under Honest Mistake.
89 Mins – Callum McGregor is named as Man of the Match. Fair enough although a little harsh on Christie who was also excellent.
90 Mins – 2 minutes added but Celtic happy to see that out without anything to concern the League leaders who are now 6 points clear.
Full Time Celtic 2 St Johnstone 0
