Celtic 4-1 Saints

The hosts opened the scoring on 14 minutes courtesy of a Reo Hatate deflected strike. Kyogo then scored from close range four minutes later to double the Hoops advantage.

Kyogo got his second and Celtic’s third of the afternoon five minutes from half time with another close-range finish. The Bhoys then added a fourth seven minutes into the second half as Hatate got his second of the afternoon.

Drey Wright scored a consolation for Saints on 67 minutes as he got a second bite of the cherry to slot the ball beyond Joe Hart.

Celtic were reduced to ten men late on as substitute David Turnbull was sent off after he caught Remi Matthews in the face with a high boot.

Following today’s results Saints remain in fifth place in the cinch Premiership with 24 points.

Next up for Saints is a home game on Wednesday evening as they welcome Hearts to McDiarmid Park for their final game of 2022, kick off 7:45pm.

MATCH REPORT

Saints were back on their travels today as they headed to Glasgow for a Christmas Eve cinch Premiership match against Celtic. Saints returned for the World Cup break last weekend as an Ali Crawford double saw Callum Davidson’s side come from behind to defeat ten-man Ross County 2-1 in Dingwall. There were three changes to the side which started at The Global Energy Stadium last weekend this afternoon as Elliot Parish and David Wotherspoon dropped to the bench whilst Adam Montgomery missed out as he couldn’t play against his parent club. They were replaced by Remi Matthews, Ryan McGowan and Melker Hallberg. Celtic defeated Livingston 2-1 in midweek to remain nine points clear at the top of the cinch Premiership and manager Ange Postecoglou also made three changes to his starting eleven this afternoon. Aaron Mooy, Daizen Maeda and James Forrest came in to replace Liel Abada and Jota who both dropped to the bench whilst Anthony Ralston missed out due to injury.  

Graham Carey got the match underway for Saints but it was the hosts who created the first chance of the match on 5 minutes. Aaron Mooy’s corner from the left broke to Kyogo Furuhashi at the back post who headed the ball towards goal but Remi Mathews made a brilliant save. Celtic were claiming the ball had crossed the line however, following a VAR check play continued. The Bhoys created another chance on 7 minutes as captain Callum McGregor played the ball into the path of Matt O’Riley but the midfielder saw his side-footed effort go wide of Matthews left-hand post.

On 9 minutes Saints were awarded a free kick just outside the box as Carey was fouled by O’Riley. Carey took the free kick himself as he crossed the ball into the box which Stevie May got up well to meet however, his glancing header went wide of the target.

PHOTO: Graham Carey is fouled by Matt O'Riley

The breakthrough came on 14 minutes as Celtic took the lead. Mooy played the ball out to Reo Hatate on the right and the Japanese midfielder unleashed a left-footed strike which took a deflection off Andy Considine to take it beyond Matthews.

Then 4 minutes later Celtic double their advantage. Greg Taylor played in O’Riley down the left and the Danish midfielder sent over a cross into the box and Furuhashi showed his alertness as he got in front of his man at the near post to flick the ball home from close range.  

Celtic were now on top and on 25 minutes a ball into the box by James Forrest was headed back by Maeda to McGregor who caught the ball on the half-volley however, his effort didn’t trouble Matthews as it went over.

The hosts got their third goal of the afternoon 5 minutes before half time as a ball over the top by Mooy played in Forrest who advanced down the right channel. The winger then sent over a cross which Furuhashi got on the end of to slot home from close range for his second of the afternoon.

PHOTO: Nicky Clark gets the better of Matt O'Riley and Callum McGregor

Celtic continued their high tempo in the second half as another sweeping move on 52 minutes saw McGregor play in Hatate as he broke into the box and the Japanese midfielder slotted the ball beyond Matthews for his second and Celtic’s fourth of the afternoon. It had looked like the goal was going to be chopped off for offside as the far side assistant, John McCrossan, had his flag up however, following a lengthy VAR check the goal was given.

Just after the hour mark Saints made a triple change as Cammy MacPherson, Connor McLennan and Alex Mitchell came on to replace Daniel Phillips, Nicky Clark and Melker Hallberg.

On 67 minutes a ball over the top played in May who broke into the box before seeing his strike saved by Joe Hart. Drey Wright latched onto the loose ball but Hart was up quick to make another good save however, the ball broke to Wright who slotted it home from close range. It had looked like the goal was going to be ruled out for offside as the Main Stand assistant, Alan Mulvanny, was quick to put his flag up however, following another VAR check the goal was given.

PHOTO: Referee Kevin Clancy as VAR overturns the offside decision and gives Celtic’s fourth goal

Celtic continued to dominate possession and Mooy’s cross on 69 minutes was met by substitute Giorgos Giakoumakis but his header was well held by Matthews in the Saints goal. Another slick move by the hosts 3 minutes later ended with Abada playing in Hatate who was inches away from completing his hat-trick as his shot hit the post before going behind for a goal kick.

With 11 minutes remaining Saints made their fourth change of the afternoon as Graham Carey made way for Ali Crawford.

The Hoops continued to look dangerous going forward and a cross from Jota on 83 minutes from the left was met by Giakoumakis but his header was straight at Matthews. The Greek forward then got another sight of goal with 3 minutes remaining following a through ball from Abada however, Matthews was out quick and made a good save to deny the forward.

Saints then made their final change of the game as Theo Bair came on to replace Stevie May.

PHOTO: Saints manager Callum Davidson shouts instructions

The closing minutes saw the league leaders continue to create chances as on 89 minutes Abada’s cross was met by Jota but his effort landed on the roof of the net. Then as the match entered 5 minutes of additional time David Turnbull’s cross picked out Abada in the centre of the box however, he couldn’t direct his effort on target.

2 minutes into stoppage time Turnbull was shown a yellow card as he caught Matthews in the face as he went to challenge for a cross into the Saints box however, following another VAR review in which referee Kevin Clancy had to go to the monitor to review the decision, the official decided to upgrade it to a red card.

The league leaders were now having to play out the final couple of minutes with ten men and they came close to a fifth deep into stoppage time as Hatate played Abada but his right footed strike didn’t trouble Matthews as Saints six game undefeated run came to an end.

Celtic: Hart, Taylor, Starfelt, Furuhashi (Giakoumakis 68), Mooy (Turnbull 79), Carter-Vickers, O’Riley (Hakšabanović 63), Maeda (Jota 63), Hatate, McGregor, Forrest (Abada 62)

Unused Substitutes: Siegrist (GK), Jenz, Bernabei, Lawal

Booked: Mooy, Carter-Vickers

Sent Off: Turnbull

Scorers: Hatate (14, 52), Furuhashi (18, 40)

Saints: Matthews, Brown, Considine, Gordon, May (Bair 87), McGowan, Wright, Hallberg (Mitchell 62), Carey (Crawford 79), Phillips (MacPherson 62), Clark (McLennan 62)

Unused Substitutes: Parish (GK), Wotherspoon, O’Halloran, Murphy

Booked: Phillips

Scorer: Wright (67)

Referee: Kevin Clancy

VAR: Mike Roncone

Attendance: 58,635

Match Report by Daryl Scott

Picture: Drey Wright takes on Greg Taylor