Celtic 4-0 St Johnstone – (Kuhn 30, Kyogo 59 & 64, Maeda 73)
Another convincing win and result at Fir Park an added bonus as we head into the new year….
We finished the year with a convincing 4-0 victory over St Johnstone, our second home win in a matter of days after our Boxing Day win over Motherwell by the same emphatic scoreline.
Brendan Rodgers named a strong line up with Alistair Johnston, Reo Hatate and Nicolas Kuhn back in the starting line up while the energetic Daizen Maeda and our skipper Callum McGregor given some much needed rest as both were named among the substitutes, no doubt with Thursday’s trip to Ibrox in mind.
Nicolas Kuhn kept up his good form by opening the scoring in a one-sided first half, and despite having the vast majority of possession and all the chances we went in at half-time just the one goal to the good.
St Johnstone to their credit tried to make a game of it as they attacked for the opening period of the second half, but Celtic’s class prevailed as a Kyogo double – as predicted on The Celtic Star this morning – gave us a commanding 3-0 lead before his fellow countryman Diazen Maeda made it four shortly after appearing from the bench. Again the 4-0 Celtic win was predicted on here this morning in the match preview.
It was a terrific team performance with Nicolas Kuhn looking sharp, and Kyogo looking deadly in front of goal once more. It was also good to see Arne Engels on top form as the Belgian produced a fantastic display in the middle of the park, picking up his second MOTM award since Christmas and really looking like a class act.
That all bodes well as we get ready to bring in the New Year with a trip to Ibrox to take on the Rangers who dropped yet more points at Fir Park, which was an added bonus as we head into the new year. A great day all round in what has been an incredible year for Celtic with the Bhoys going through the entire year undefeated at Paradise in all competitions.
Celtic finish the year with all three domestic trophies won, well placed in the Champions League and 14 points clear at the top of the looking down on theRangers…
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: “You have to always give credit to the other team, there is two teams in a game, but I thought from minute one we were outstanding.
“From the first to the 94th minute I was so pleased with the level, purely from a mentality perspective. We kept going right to the very end.”
St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari: “The opponent was very good. From the first minute until the very last they pushed us. It was very, very difficult for us but the players put everything they had into it.
“The biggest thing we learned today is the attitude of these top players. It doesn’t matter who they play, is it the first half or the second half, is the game already won? They keep pushing. If we can learn that it will help us a lot.”
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
"Not bad for a team that doesn't play attacking football" 😉
Celtic have been near flawless in 2024 😤#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/lYBQXQFtND
— BBC Sport Scotland (@BBCSportScot) December 29, 2024
