Back-ups get the job done
There were several big changes to Ange Postecoglou’s starting line-up for this one in Perth. Fourth-choice keeper Vasilis Barkas was handed the jersey to have a go in goals for the Hoops, with Joe Hart, Scott Bain and Conor Hazard all missing from action. Skipper Callum McGregor was the standout absentee though, with David Turnbull also missing. But the likes of James McCarthy, Stephen Welsh and Nir Bitton did well enough at McDiarmid Park to earn a vital three-points for the away side before the winter break.
Kyogo injured again
The break appears to have come at a favourable time for Celtic in terms of the amount of players out with injuries and Covid-related issues. Another to re-add to the injury list is star player Kyogo. The striker started this match one week on from his Premier Sports Cup final heroics at Hampden. He was unable to last the first-half though, as he pulled up with what appeared to be another hamstring issue. Ange Postecoglou took no chances as he subbed off the striker immediately, giving Joey Dawson his debut as his replacement. Celtic will be hoping the break allows Kyogo to recover properly this time.
Sorry Saints struggle
While there is no doubt St Johnstone applied some late pressure to the away side in this one for the last 20-minutes or so, for the majority of this game they were very poor. It has been well-noted how Saints are a shadow of their old selves at the minute. However, if the alarm bells weren’t ringing before today, they certainly will be now for the Premiership basement boys. Celtic made it eight defeats in a row for Callum Davidson’s side – who will be glad to see the winter break come early. With little bite and an overall lack of quality, the Perth side have issues to address in the January window. They need to back their manager badly.
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