Today Celtic continued their winning streak with a measured and moderated performance at home against St Johnstone. Callum Davidson’s double cup winning side came into this game having made a decent start to the season. As always, they proved a tough nut to crack at times – although the 2-0 scoreline really should have been more, considering the possession Celtic enjoyed. Nevertheless, the Hoops racked up another three points and a clean sheet.
The stats themselves paint a very distinct picture of the game; St Johnstone never tested Joe Hart’s goal once in the entire 90 minutes. Cameron Carter-Vickers and Carl Starfelt will endure tougher tests this season, rest assured, but the way they breezed through another game together proves the old adage, that time is sometimes all that’s needed to develop a partnership in football. Admittedly, this couldn’t have come at a better time as we strive to make inroads to keep the heat on those around us.
Hearts drew 1-1 with Dundee at Tyncastle, which if not making us ecstatic at least reduces their lead on us. Tomorrow theRangers face a trip to Paisley for a showdown with Jim Goodwin’s St Mirren – a place which has saw some tough tests of late for the club founded by Charles Green in 2012. Watch this space on that one.
However, let’s talk more about the famous Glasgow Celtic, shall we? I thought – as I have done for several weeks now – that Celtic need to start developing the knack of putting teams away early to avoid any unecessary calamities. A ruthless streak could really take Angeball and this current side to the next level, prepping us for harder tasks in Europe along the way. A special shout-out to new Bhoy, Giorgos Giakoumakis, who took his goal like a real striker. The cross from Ralston was excellent also, and keeps providing reasons for Ange to squeeze Josip Juranovic in at left-back (even if it is contentious!).
As St Johnstone sat in, we really needed more penetration from Turnbull and Rogic. Both were decent today, but didn’t manage to offer more threatening passes through the lines than I would have liked. For this team to grow, we definitely need to invest in the central midfield area. The options seem to be uninspiring if Rogic and Turnbull aren’t at it. Kyogo Furuhashi was played wide today to accommodate Giakoumakis, which meant it was harder for him to get involved. Again, I would like to see a formation that plays two centrally up-front to involve both players to see how the ying and yang experiment works.
Whilst Kyogo might have struggled more than usual to get involved, Jota had no problems in his preferred position on the wings. A real handful and always using his bedazzling trickery to leave defenders googly-eyed, the young Portuguese fella is fast becoming a must sign for the Celtic support. His link up play for the penalty with Kyogo deserves a special mention as it was delightful. Juranovic slotted his penalty away nicely and I think we have found our permanent penalty taker for sure. Calm as ever in what was a perect metaphor for Celtic’s all-round display today.
A wee mention must go to Nick Walsh, who whilst he unfortunately couldn’t make his associates/employers trip to Paisley more comfortable tomorrow, did manage to book a Celtic player for being fouled then attacked by several St Johnstone players. At ease soldier! Hand to face of a Celtic player? Simply book both of them.
Look at the start Johnstone players reaction, he knows he should have been off aswell, everyone bar the ref https://t.co/CYGVuURq9O
— lynchy 🍀 (@stephenlynch81) October 23, 2021
Finally, it would be remiss not to acknowledge the return of Mikey Johnston who replaced Giorgos Giakoumakis around the hour mark to get half-an-hour in his legs. The winger looked lively, focused and determined to make or score more goals, which only bodes well for the future. There will be a tremendous amount of games moving forward and Mikey will have to make sure he is fit and ready to take this season to the wire.
Onwards and upwards, Celtic. There’s really no stopping us now.
Paul Gillespie
We have a club run by cowards. Until we take them to task they will continue to get away with these ludicrous decisions.