Mika Baur celebrated his maiden Celtic goal as the Glasgow side stretched their winning run in the Scottish Premiership to six matches, further cementing their early-season dominance in the campaign to retain the title. The victory came against St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park, a venue where the hosts have remained unbeaten this term, but Celtic managed to edge them out thanks to a combination of disciplined defending, opportunistic attacking play, and a touch of individual brilliance. The fixture arrived at a busy juncture for Martin O'Neill's squad. With a crucial Europa League tie looming and the prospect of an Old Firm clash in both the cup and the league on the horizon, O'Neill opted for a substantial rotation, introducing five changes to his starting eleven.
Notably, goalkeeper Kasper Hogh returned from a lengthy injury lay‑off, taking over the gloves from on‑loan custodian Sam Johnstone, who had impressed in earlier outings. Hogh’s reintroduction proved decisive early on when he produced a spectacular reflex save to deny Joel Cotterill, who was making his first start for St Johnstone. The save set the tone for a match in which Celtic would generally enjoy the better of the chances.
The first half was a tight affair, with both sides testing each other’s defensive resolve. St Johnstone’s goalkeeper, Johnstone, made a series of important interventions, including a high‑profile palm‑off at the 19th minute that kept the ball out of the net after a low cross from Alic found Cotterill unmarked.
Celtic, on the other hand, generated a handful of promising attacks, most of which were either blocked or narrowly missed the target. A notable moment came in the 40th minute when St Johnstone’s Diabate saw his effort flicked onto the line by Celtic defender Donovan, underscoring the fine margins that would define the game. The deadlock was finally broken after the interval.
In the 52nd minute, Haissem Hassan, the Egyptian international, delivered a precise low cross from the right flank. Baur, timing his run to perfection, slotted the ball home with a composed tap‑in, registering his first goal for Celtic. The strike was a textbook example of a forward capitalising on a well‑placed delivery, and the crowd erupted as the ball nestled in the back of the net. The goal not only gave Celtic the lead but also highlighted Baur’s growing confidence within the squad.
Soon after the celebration, controversy erupted when Celtic thought they had doubled their advantage. Hogh headed the ball back into the box for Hassan, who struck it cleanly, only for the referee to rule the play dead, judging that the ball had gone out of play before Hogh’s assist. The decision sparked debate among pundits and fans alike, with Sky Sports analyst James McFadden emphasizing the difficulty of making split‑second calls on whether the ball was in or out. "There's no way of telling and you have to go with the on‑field decision," McFadden remarked, noting the lack of definitive proof to overturn the assistant referee's call.
Despite the disallowed goal, Celtic managed to hold onto their slender lead. St Johnstone pressed for an equaliser, creating several chances in the latter stages of the match.
Nygren’s shot in the 83rd minute forced a corner after being cleared by Celtic defender Steward, while a late effort from Alic narrowly missed the post at the 80th minute. The home side also saw a series of saves from Steward, who demonstrated composure under pressure, notably denying a curling effort from Hassan in the 71st minute.
The final whistle confirmed a 1‑0 win for Celtic, extending their unbeaten run to thirteen matches across all competitions—a streak that began in the closing weeks of the previous season. The victory kept Celtic five points clear of second‑placed Rangers, maintaining their grip on the top of the league table.
O'Neill’s side will now face Rangers in their next Premiership encounter, a high‑stakes derby that promises to be a litmus test for both teams' title ambitions. Post‑match reactions offered insight into the mental approach of both managers. O'Neill, speaking to Sky Sports, admitted that the performance was below the club’s usual standards but praised the team's resilience.
"I'm not even sure what to make of the game. I think we made goalscoring, which is very difficult, almost impossible," he said, acknowledging missed opportunities while expressing satisfaction with the win.
He also highlighted Johnstone’s crucial save in the first half, noting that without it, St Johnstone might have taken the lead. St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari, meanwhile, reflected on his side’s chances. He recognised Celtic’s superior possession and final‑third threat but stressed the importance of capitalising on the moments they created. "We definitely had our moments, but at the same time we knew the threat of Celtic," Valakari explained.
He lamented the missed chances, emphasizing that against a team of Celtic’s quality, opportunities are scarce and must be seized. Looking ahead, Celtic’s schedule remains congested. After the upcoming Europa League fixture, the club will also contest an Old Firm cup tie, adding further pressure to maintain squad fitness and form.
The rotation policy employed against St Johnstone suggests O'Neill is keen to manage player workloads while still fielding competitive line‑ups across all fronts. In summary, Mika Baur’s inaugural goal for Celtic served as the catalyst for a hard‑fought victory that kept the title chase on track.
The match featured a blend of tactical adjustments, individual heroics, and contentious refereeing decisions, all of which contributed to a narrative that will be dissected by analysts and supporters alike. With the league leaders now five points ahead of their nearest rivals, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether Celtic can sustain their momentum and secure another Scottish Premiership crown.