Celtic geared up for Borussia Dortmund in style by putting St Johnstone to the sword at McDiarmid Park. The Hoops went into the game trailing Aberdeen at the Premiership summit after their win at Dundee but bagged three goals in either half to go back to the top of the table in style. Daizen Maeda had an opener called off by VAR but Brendan Rodgers' men did not let that deter them and went into the interval thanks to a Kyogo brace and a fine effort from Paulo Bernardo. The champions showed no mercy to their beleaguered hosts after the break and completely blew them away with further goals from skipper Callum McGregor, Maeda and the pick of the bunch from sub Adam Idah following a sublime team move.
Brendan Rodgers demanded his players show a Champions League mentality before they've even left for Dortmund. Celtic will attempt to scale the famous Yellow Wall in Germany on Tuesday night and they could have had half an eye on that when the rolled into Perth to take on St Johnstone in the Saturday evening kick-off. But Rodgers wanted his men to think like a Champions League outfit at McDiarmid Park, and they played like a side with a seat at Europe's top table, blowing Saints away with three goals in each half to rack up a 6-0 rout.
It was a bruising night for managerless St Johnstone, who are still waiting for their first home win since last December as they edge closer to naming Tiernan Lynch as their new man in the dugout. Interim Saints boss Kirk knew his players were up against it but was disappointed with the errors that led to some of Celtic's goals. Speaking to Premier Sport, he said:
It was difficult. Obviously we knew how good Celtic are and that they would cause us a lot of problems but the disappointing thing for us is that for least three of the goals , we could have done a lot better with some basic defending. As I said to the players, we have got to stay together as a team at this minute in time, keep working hard and hopefully we can turn the page.
Former Celtic favourite Packie Bonner was blown away by his old team's showing in Perth. He told BBC Radio Scotland:
It was incredible football. I don't think there are many teams in Scotland who could match them. The way they knocked the ball around, and the players they can bring off the bench. Everything was there today. A brilliant performance.
The Hoops captain was very chuffed with the way his team put the hosts to the sword. Speaking to Premier Sports he said:
From start to finish we were tremendous with some of the football and goals we scored. It was really pleasing and obviously in the second half we kept that clean sheet as well that helps that defensive mentality. An excellent day and we move onto Tuesday.
Here are our three takeaways from a evening in Perth where the Saints were no match for the Celtic juggernaut.
Celtic’s Ruthless Efficiency
Celtic's performance against St Johnstone was a masterclass in ruthless efficiency. They dominated possession and created numerous chances, ultimately converting six of them into goals. The Hoops were clinical in front of goal and displayed a level of attacking quality that few teams in the league could match. They showcased their strengths in all facets of the game, from their cohesive passing and movement to their composure in front of goal.
Kyogo Furuhashi’s Stellar Showing
Kyogo Furuhashi was a constant menace to the St Johnstone defense, bagging two first half goals and a dazzling display of skill and movement. His brace was a testament to his clinical finishing and ability to find space in the final third. The Japanese forward was instrumental in setting up Celtic’s third goal and showed immense determination and composure. His performance was a stark contrast to the St Johnstone's defensive frailties, highlighting his class and impact on the game.
St Johnstone’s Struggle for Identity
St Johnstone are currently in a transitional period, with the search for a new manager underway. The lack of a clear direction and leadership was evident in their performance, as they struggled to cope with Celtic’s relentless pressure and attacking prowess. The Saints were unable to find their footing and looked disjointed, particularly in defense, leading to their demoralizing 6-0 defeat. Their struggles highlight the need for a clear game plan and a new manager to inspire them.
A Night to Remember in Perth
It's all over in Perth as Celtic return to the Premiership summit in devastating fashion. Brendan Rodgers could not have hoped for a better display ahead of the trip to Dortmund next Tuesday while St Johnstone cannot appoint their new man in the dugout any quicker. The scoreline is maybe a little bit harsh on Saints stopper Sinclair who has had next to no help from his defence. The keeper has made some good saves and is on hand to do so again from close quarters. It's been a painful night for Perth die-hards and only a few remain to see the final whistle. To be fair, you can't blame those who couldn't take it any longer.
The Republivc of Ireland forward has bagged a sixth for the Hoops and it is absolutely sublime. Sub Luke McCowan finds Valle with a delightful ball over the top and his neat back-heel allows Idah to slot from close range. Initially the goal had been chalked off for offside but VAR have rightly determined that Valle was level with the Saints defence.
The centre back almost nets a sixth that would have undoubtedly been goal of the night. He brings the ball down from distance and unleashes a volley that just sails over Sinclair's goal. Larne boss Tiernan Lynch is expected to be named as Craig Levein's successor at McDiarmid Park. It was always going to be tough for St Johnstone tonight but the Irishman can't have enjoyed watching this from a far.
The champions have their fifth. Bernardo whips in a fine ball to the back post and Maeda beats Sinclair with an esquisite header. We are into the last 20 minutes in Perth and Celtic are coasting. It's just a matter of how many more goals they will score between now and the final whistle. The away team are now bringing on a trio of talented players from the bench. Kyogo is denied a hat trick as he makes way for Adam Idah while James Forrest and Reo Hatate replace Engels and Kuhn.
Celtic fail to clear their lines from a cross and it presents Essel with a shooting opportunity. He strikes it well but Schmeichel meets it with a decent save at his near post. Any sort of attacking play has been in short supply for the hosts. Full back Raymond does well to work some space outside the box but his low drive does little to trouble Schmeichel and goes wide. In an instant Celtic almost bag a fifth but Sinclair pulls off a fine save after Engels had brilliantly picked out Kuhn. This is going to be a long 35 minutes or so for the Saints. And there is goal number four and it's another fine strike from Callum McGregor. The Hoops work a short corner to the edge of the box and the midfielder's low drive beats an unsighted Sinclair.
The decision to disallow Daizen Maeda's goal against St Johnstone has split the Premier Sports pundits. The Japanese star thought he'd put Celtic 1-0 in up Perth with a fine volley., only for VAR to rule it out. And the decision to overturn the goal has provoked different responses from the pundits on duty at McDiarmid Park. You have to feel for interim Saints boss Kirk. His players are working their socks off but are simply unable to stop these waves of attacks. Rodgers' team are not letting up and within two minutes of the restart get another shot off at goal. Kyogo darts in behind but thanklly for the beleagured hosts can't get his shot on target.
The action resumes in Perth. The Hoops have made a change with Alex Valle coming on for a league debut in place of Greg Taylor. Aberdeen fans would have been dreaming that their team would end the weekend top of the Premiership table. But Celtic have responded to their 2-1 away win at Dundee in scintilating style to effectively wrap up top spot again with 45 minutes still remaining in Perth. Half-time and it's pretty much game over in Perth. Daizen Maeda saw an opener disallowed but it's mattered little in the grand scheme of things. Kyogo broke the deadlock shortly after before Paulo Bernardo curled in a lovely second. A quickfire third left Saints shell shocked as Kyogo survived a VAR check for offside to make it a brace. Saintsa are in danger of sinking without a trace and it could be a case of how many Celtic want to score. Rodgers' men are ruthlessly continuing their assault for a fourth first half goal in the dying seconds of the additional six minutes added on. It's been a bruising end to the half for the hosts to put it mildly.
And in a flash it's 3-0! Celtic carve their opponents open again and Kyogo nods home from Taylor's outswinging cross. There is a VAR check to determine whether the striker was offside but the decision stands. Paulo Bernardo has doubled Celtic's lead! Kuhn floats a lovely cross into Kyogo who lays it off to the Portuguese midfielder who takes a touch and bends it into the top corner past Sinclair. What a goal!
The Dane has been a bystander for most of the half and that lack of action has been demonstrated as he produces an inconclusive punch from a Carey cross that looked easier to catch. He gets away with it but it's certainly woken him up a bit. Celtic have their tails up in search of a quickfire second. Kuhn drives towards the edge of the area but is unable to keep his shot down. This is looking ominous for St Johnstone now. Kyogo has put the away team in front - and this one won't be ruled out. He expertly controls a ball over the top to keep his cool and slot past Sinclair.
