TOMMY WRIGHT looked back on his side’s second 2-0 defeat to Celtic in the space of 4 days and at least had the consolation of knowing that his side created a few chances of their own on their own turf after their midweek trip to Paradise failed to produce one singe opportunity for the Perth side.
And the Northern Irishman knows that he’ll have to face Celtic again this weekend in the Scottish Cup. Looking back on yesterday’s encounter, Wright was left regretting the two missed chances that Matt Kennedy had in the first half and Tony Watt passed up after the interval before James Forrest broke the deadlock at the other end.
Tommy and the St Johnstone fans must be getting sick of the sight of Jamesy, who seems to love a goal or four on his trips to McDiarmid Park.
“I am disappointed with the result again but I asked for an improved performance with the ball and I thought I got that,” the St Johnstone manager said to the media after the game.
“We had moments in the game when we should have capitalised but we didn’t do it.
“I thought at the time that Tony probably should have scored and Matty definitely should have done so.
“I thought we had weathered the storm.
“Zander Clark was making the saves and we had a different dimension to our play.
“But we made a mistake for the all-important first goal and we are disappointed because we should defend it better.
“Then we were chasing the game at the end and they caught us on the counter.
“I think there were more positives form today’s performance than there were on Wednesday night at Celtic Park but it is still another defeat against them.
“We have to move on to the next game.”
Brendan Rodgers was obviously much happier that Tommy Wright after picking up the three points to restore the six point advantage on the Rangers, who were assisted at Ibrox by the Dallas Cowboy awarding FOUR penalty kicks to Steven Gerrard’s side, who visit Aberdeen on Wednesday.
On his last trip to Pittodrie on the opening day of the season Gerrard complained about decisions continually going against Rangers and stated that it had been ‘going on for years’ – maybe someone will ask him if he wants to review that statement in light of the refereeing decisions that seems to go his way on a regular basis these days.
“It was a really good demonstration of our persistence and quality in the game, to play so well against a team that are very difficult to play against,” Brendan said.
“We had everything thrown at us today in terms of injuries and what-not but the game went how we thought it would go.
“It was similar a wee bit to Wednesday night where we had to be patient in our game but still play with intensity.
“I thought we had really good tempo in our game. We created chances and kept a clean sheet, which is equally important.”
Celtic face Hibs on Wednesday night with what will be a depleted squad after the bruising encounter at McDiarmid Park. Then it’s back to play St Johnstone on Sunday in the Scottish Cup.
Read what Scotty Sinclair has to say as he looks ahead to the Hibs game.
‘We go into the Hibs game with the same mentality,’ Scotty Sinclair
Read Timo Weah’s thoughts on yesterday’s win below.
A Dirty War! Celtic’s Band of Brothers, Timo Weah the Screaming Eagle
And if you missed Sandman’s hilarious Matchday Ratings on The Celtic Star late last night, catch up here…
Also on The Celtic Star…
The Valencia file (Part 4) – A linesman’s flag prevents Celtic playing a European final at Hampden
Celtic Fans TV – Reactions from Celtic supporters at McDiarmid Park
Boyata Boost – Belgian set for early return against Hibs, Brendan says
‘We’ve got options and we’ve got players coming back,’ Brendan’s relaxed about enforced changes
“Dallas’s work is all in vain, Tim the Tim strikes again!” David Potter
Despite these Referees, Weah Gonna Win the League! Nine Man Celtic go Six Points clear
