Celtic played St Johnstone yesterday evening in the League Cup semi final at Hampden Park in a game that seemed to have taken forever to come around due to yet another International break, thankfully the last one this year.
Celtic started with the same line up that won 4-2 against Dundee before the break, meaning Stephen Welsh retained his position in the heart of the Celtic defence having thankfully recovered from an injury he picked up while on international duty with the Scotland under 21s.
Before the game the atmosphere was electric at Hampden Park with fans obviously delighted to get back to domestic action and also realising the importance of the match against the current cup holders St Johnstone. There was also a fantastic Tifo display in honour of Bertie Auld. The minutes applause was thunderous and when the camera focused on current Celtic captain Callum McGregor you could clearly see in his face the emotion he was feeling.
When the game started it was obvious that Celtic were up for the challenge, bursting out of the blocks and putting The Saints under relentless pressure. Inside the first 10 minutes Portuguese winger Jota looked like he enjoyed being able to rest up during the international break and was chomping at the bit to get going again.
Three times within that first period he threatened to open the scoring showing blistering pace and innovation down the left wing but unfortunately none ended up with Celtic taking the lead. On one occasion he even managed to deliver the perfect ‘Rabona’ to the head of David Turnbull. Unfortunately he didn’t net the opportunity which would have surely ended up a highlight reel moment for the ages.
The first 15 minutes of total Celtic control lead us to believe St Johnstone were there for the taking but soon afterwards they settled into the game and almost opened the scoring before the 20 minute mark when Joe Hart, not for the last time this evening, dwelled over a backpass and his clearance almost ricocheted off Michael O’Halloran into the net.
Into the second half, much like the end of the first half, was a scrappy affair with both teams having attacking moments but neither looking overly threatening. That was until the ineffectual Liel Abada came off for James Forrest which eventually ended in the opening goal of the contest.
A scuffed kickout by Zander Clark in the St Johnstone goal lead to Jota taking the ball down expertly, replays show it could have been aided slightly by his arm, and crossing the ball into the danger area where it was knocked around before ending up at the feet of James Forrest who confidently netted it. After all these years surely no Celtic fan doubts James Forrest’s importance to this team? He always comes good when we need him most.
Later in the game it was almost roles reversed as Forrest beat a few men to set up Jota for a fantastic goalscoring opportunity which was heroically blocked by the St Johnstone defender repelling Celtic from taking an unassailable lead. Shortly afterwards James McCarthy had a shaky start to his substitute appearance by nearly presenting the opposition with a goalscoring opportunity. Thankfully though McCarthy made amends later in the match, twice making vital interceptions during threating attacks.
In the latter stages of the game Johnston, Ajeti and Soro came on for Celtic, maybe quelling rumours that the latter two are on their last legs in a Celtic shirt. At this stage it looked all over but there was one more goalscoring moment when substitute Johnston rounded the keeper before cutting back with the goal at his mercy and being repelled by a recovering Zander Clark.
After SIX MINUTES of injury time the game ended with Celtic progressing to the final scheduled for the run up towards Christmas. Personally I thought Jota deserved his man of the match award today, he was involved in almost all Celtic’s positive moments. I would also like to mention the shift Nir Bitton put in. I think Nir had been absolutely fantastic of late in his natural position and think we are a more balanced team with him in it. On Tom Rogic’s return maybe it should be a contest between him and David Turnbull for a starting spot??
Anyway, well done Celtic, you did it for Bertie tonight and it’s great to be back in a final once more!
Conall McGinty
