Mika Baur finally broke his duck for Celtic, netting his inaugural goal for the Glasgow side as they stretched their flawless start to the current Scottish Premiership campaign to six matches. The victory came against St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park, a venue where the hosts have remained unbeaten this season, but Celtic’s experience and tactical adjustments proved decisive. Ahead of the fixture, manager Martin O'Neill had a busy week. With a crucial Europa League tie looming and an Old Firm showdown in both the cup and league on the horizon, O'Neill opted for a substantial rotation.
Five changes were made to the starting eleven: Kasper Høgh returned from a long‑term injury layoff, and on‑loan goalkeeper Sam Johnstone was handed the gloves. The Danish keeper justified his selection early on with a spectacular reflex save, denying Joel Cotterill – who was making his first start for St Johnstone – from a dangerous position inside the box. The match opened at a measured pace, with both sides probing for openings but neither creating a clear-cut chance. Celtic, however, began to dominate possession, especially in the final third, where they generated a series of half‑spaces and overlapping runs.
Their superior ball retention forced the Saints into a defensive shell, and it was this pressure that eventually produced the breakthrough. The deadlock was broken shortly after the interval. Haissem Hassan, the Egyptian international, surged down the left flank and delivered a low, curling cross into the penalty area. Baur, arriving late into the box, timed his run perfectly and tapped the ball past the on‑looking goalkeeper to register his first goal in a Celtic shirt.
The striker’s celebration was restrained but evident – a moment of personal triumph that also lifted the entire team. Soon after the goal, the Saints thought they had equalised when Hassan found space inside the box and struck a powerful shot.
However, the ball was ruled out of play before it could be headed back in by Høgh, nullifying what would have been a dramatic equaliser. The decision sparked a brief debate among the crowd, but the referee’s assistant upheld the call, and the match continued.
St Johnstone, aware that they were still within striking distance, tried to press higher up the pitch. They produced a handful of promising attacks, notably a low cross from Alic that found Cotterill, only for Johnstone to palm the ball away with a confident save. Another chance saw Nygren’s effort deflected by a defender, forcing the ball out for a corner. Despite these efforts, Celtic’s defense, marshalled by veteran centre‑backs and protected by Johnstone’s reflexes, held firm.
The second half featured a flurry of action that would have delighted any neutral observer. At the 31st minute, McGregor unleashed a shot that was inadvertently deflected by Campbell, creating a scramble that saw Steward clear the ball with a punch. A few minutes later, Diabate’s effort for St Johnstone was blocked at the line by Donovan, while a cross from Tounekti was headed away by Diabate himself, illustrating the chaotic nature of the contest.
Celtic’s attacking rhythm continued, with McAlear beating his marker and laying the ball off to Steven, whose attempt was comfortably saved by Johnstone. The Scottish side also saw a series of close calls: Hassan’s curling effort after a pass from Høgh was pushed away by Steward, and Nygren’s strike after a cross from Forrest was caught cleanly in the keeper’s arms. As the clock ticked towards the final ten minutes, both managers reflected on the performance. O'Neill admitted that his side had struggled to convert the abundance of chances they created.
"We could have scored a number of goals we didn’t," he told Sky Sports, emphasizing the need for clinical finishing. He also praised Johnstone’s first‑half save, noting that without it the Saints might have taken the lead. St Johnstone’s boss, Simo Valakari, recognised the quality of Celtic’s threat.
He highlighted the difficulty of capitalising against a team that can produce moments of brilliance in the final third, and lamented missed opportunities that could have altered the outcome. "We created enough chances to score a goal, and that’s the disappointment of the evening," he said.
The final whistle confirmed a 1‑0 win for Celtic, marking their 13th consecutive victory across all competitions – a run that stretches back to the closing weeks of the previous season. The triumph also solidified their position at the summit of the Scottish Premiership, keeping them five points clear of second‑placed Rangers.
The next week, Celtic will face Rangers again in a high‑stakes league encounter that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, a match that could further widen the gap at the top. Statistically, the game was a showcase of defensive resilience and intermittent attacking flair. Johnstone recorded multiple saves, including a crucial palm from Cotterill’s low cross and a reflex stop from an early chance. Høgh’s distribution was instrumental in restarting attacks, while Hassan’s wing play generated the majority of Celtic’s dangerous deliveries.
Beyond the numbers, the match offered a narrative of perseverance and adaptation. O'Neill’s squad, despite heavy rotation, demonstrated depth and cohesion, while Baur’s personal milestone added a feel‑good storyline for fans. The victory also underscored Celtic’s ambition to retain the Scottish Premiership title, as they continue to navigate a congested schedule that includes European commitments and domestic cup challenges. Looking ahead, the team will need to sharpen their finishing and maintain defensive solidity, especially as they approach the critical Old Firm fixtures that could define the season.
For now, though, the win against St Johnstone provides a solid platform and a reminder that even when the performance is not at its most convincing, Celtic still possesses the winning edge required to stay ahead in the race for silverware.