01/03/2025 – CELTIC (H)

At the end of arguably our toughest 7 days of the season so far, Saints have dropped from 6th to 9th position having taken 3 points from the 9 available after trips to Ibrox and Tynecastle as well as a home match against champions Celtic.

Beforehand, many predicted we would take zero points from these fixtures, however as we pointed out going into them, these games bring the best out in Saints and the three points we did take from our win at Ibrox are probably not justification for our performances in all three games.

Hearts of course we have covered in the blog from a few days ago, (Click Here to Read) a match we should not have lost, so that leaves the Celtic game to dissect.

The final score of 5-2 looks like we suffered a bit of a going over, however nothing could be further from the truth, and but for a VAR decision to deny us what looked like as clear a penalty as we will ever see, when the score was 2-3 after 87 minutes, then we were likely to pick up at least a point.

Before this game defining moment, Saints created and missed as many chances against Celtic as we can certainly ever remember, as we repeatedly cut the Parkhead defence wide open with some great play.

Toyosi Olusanya was the main beneficiary of this play, with his superb movement causing havoc, however he just couldn’t take advantage of these opportunities and Kasper Schmeichel saved one and forced the striker to lift another over him and wide when Toy raced through twice in the first half.

Mikael Mandron spurned arguably an even better chance on the half time whistle, when he failed to connect properly with his finish from only 5 yards, after he chested a hooked ball over the defence onto his left foot.

By this point Saints were somehow down 2-1, despite dominating the half, with Celtic scoring with their first shot on target and then a penalty which signified their second effort. Between these goals, Declan John had equalised with a magnificent 20 yard free kick, the very least Saints deserved at that point.

The pressure from Saints continued into the second half, Olusanya was free at the back post but got no purchase on a Alebiosu cross with the net asking to be rustled, but a Killian Phillips equaliser brought us level for a second time with a bouncing volley that gave the Celtic keeper no chance.

From here, it looked like Saints would go onto win the match, and after Mikael Mandron went close to giving us a well deserved lead on the hour, he had to go off injured after stretching for the ball. With Jonah Ayunga also injured, we simply don’t have a suitable replacement, and our domination began to drop.

Players from both sides began to tire now going into the final quarter of the match, following a pulsating encounter, but the difference between options available on the 2 benches became apparent at this point.

Celtic took the lead for the third time in the 68th minute, for the third time against the run of the play, and with their third shot on target, after substitute Yang headed in at the back post.

It was extremely harsh on Saints, but we continued to create and miss chances. Richard Taylor outjumped everyone from a Mark O’Hara corner but with the goal at his mercy, skewed his header wide.

And then came the game defining moment on the 87th minute with Saints pushing for a well deserved equaliser.

Marcus Fraser, perhaps playing his finest match for the club, fed the ball into the path of Roland Idowu inside the penalty area. Before the Irishman could control the ball, Celtic full back Alistair Johnson slid in and took the Saints man out with a high and out of control lunging tackle into his ankle.

Without a replay, it look like a penalty. With a replay, it’s a stonewall penalty and possible red card for dangerous play. Thankfully, we have VAR. Or do we? At the game, no indication was given that a VAR check had taken place. The match continued with no delay and Celtic scored their 4th goal within 60 seconds.

After the match, Sky Sports advised a VAR check had actually taken place and the decision was “no penalty” as studs to ankle off the ground is suddenly considered “normal football contact”.

We’ll wait until Friday and the weekly KMI report, but we expect Willie Collum to confirm this was indeed a penalty and Celtic’s 4th goal shouldn’t stand.

Too late for us though, and that’s a point lost as we battle for Europe.

Celtic scored a 5th goal deep into injury time to give a pretty ridiculous look to the final score. Even 2-3 was harsh on Saints, but we must take positives from the performance as we went toe to toe with a side valued at £110 million by transfermarkt.co.uk, the same website that considers our squad worth £8.3 million.

Following Hibs victory over Hearts on Sunday, we are now 3 points off Motherwell who occupy sixth place, who we play next at Fir Park.

We also have Kilmarnock, Dundee and Ross County left before the split. 12 points would see us top 6 and it’s still in our own hands, but time is running out and we can afford no more mistakes.

With our backing, the players can do this. If you are able, let’s travel in huge numbers to Fir Park and help Saints achieve a third successive top 6 season and create more history.

COYS!

Heading image courtesy of Sonny Corry

Celtic Players of the Match:

5 points – Marcus Fraser

3 points – Mark O’Hara

1 point – Killian Phillips

Check our the Player of the Season race here –

PLAYER OF THE SEASON