Celtic were exceptional yesterday as they treated a packed Paradise to a show with St Johnstone on the receiving end of an absolute tanking. It ended 7-0 with the first three coming in the first half. However, it could have been double figures and even the most ardent Saints supporter would’ve had no complaints if they had watched Zander Clark pick the ball out of his net a few more times.
Celtic TV have released the Unique Angle early, as Celtic bolstered their goal difference against Callum Davidson’s team.
Reo Hatate opened the scoring as the relentless press from Celtic forced a mistake at the back with the Japanese Internationalist firing beyond Clark. It was 2-0 when a back pass allowed for Giorgos Giakoumakis to take the ball beyond Clark and slot cooly into the net at an acute angle. It was the only worry coming from the afternoon as the big Greek left the field complaining of a hamstring problem.
Daizen Maeda scored the third before the break. The Japanese attacker took up a central role after Giakoumakis left the field. A Jota cross was directed goal bound with Clark unable to prevent it becoming 3-0.
The break offered a rest for the Perth club but they faced a relentless Celtic. Matt O’Riley replaced Tom Rogic but the onslaught continued. Hatate was fouled in the box, Josip Juranovic converted the penalty.
O’Riley made it 5-0 after finding himself on the end of a Turnbull cross. The Danish U21, an arrival from MK Dons in the January window, made it 6-0 with an excellent curling effort. It was maybe pick of the day.
7-0 came thanks to a Liel Abada. Kyogo Furuhashi, came short, turned and clipped an excellent pass into the path of Maeda, he left it for Abada and he finished it off brilliantly.
It could’ve been more. Rogic’s first half chance, Abada had two and Maeda had another chance he could’ve converted. Postecoglou’s team were excellent. The win sets them up for a weekend trip to Hampden to face Rangers.