Mika Baur celebrated his inaugural goal for Celtic as the Scottish champions stretched their flawless start to the current Premiership campaign to six matches. The victory came against St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park, a venue where the hosts have remained unbeaten this season, and it reinforced Celtic's position at the summit of the league, keeping them five points ahead of second-placed Rangers. The match took place amid a busy schedule for Celtic, who have a Europa League fixture and the prospect of an Old Firm showdown in both the cup and the league looming on the horizon.
Manager Martin O'Neill responded to the fixture congestion by making five alterations to his starting XI. Notably, goalkeeper Kasper Høgh returned from a spell on the sidelines, while loan signing Sam Johnstone reclaimed the gloves for the first time this season. Johnstone made an immediate impact, producing a spectacular reflex save to deny Joel Cotterill, who was making his debut start for St Johnstone. The early denial set the tone for a tightly contested encounter in which the visitors generally enjoyed the better of the chances.
Celtic's attacking thrusts were orchestrated through the wing‑back Haissem Hassan, whose low cross in the 52nd minute found Baur in the box. Baur calmly tapped the ball home, marking his first official goal for the Hoops and giving Celtic the lead.
The Egyptian international Hassan was later involved in a contentious moment when his effort appeared to cross the line, only for Høgh to head the ball back into play for Hassan to finish. However, the referee ruled that the ball had gone out of bounds before the rebound, nullifying what would have been Hassan's maiden Celtic goal. This decision sparked a brief debate among commentators and fans alike, with Sky Sports analyst James McFadden noting the difficulty of making definitive calls on such marginal incidents without clear visual evidence. St Johnstone, who have been difficult opponents at their home ground this season, created several opportunities of their own.
In the 40th minute, Diabate saw his effort for the hosts deflected off the line by Celtic defender Donovan, while a series of close calls followed, including a powerful strike from Nygren that was comfortably saved by Celtic keeper Johnstone. Despite the pressure, the visitors were unable to find a breakthrough, largely because of the disciplined defensive display from Celtic and a few crucial interventions from Johnstone, who continued to showcase his shot‑stopping abilities.
The match narrative was punctuated by a series of notable incidents that were highlighted in the broadcast commentary. At the 5‑minute mark, Hassan’s early chance was denied by a strong save from the Saints' goalkeeper. Later, at 19 minutes, Cotterill appeared to be on target after meeting a low cross from Alic, but Johnstone palmed the ball away, preserving Celtic's clean sheet. The rhythm of the game saw both sides trade chances, with McGregor’s shot being deflected by Campbell and a well‑timed cross from Tounekti being headed past by Diabate, only to be saved again.
Beyond the on‑field action, the post‑match reactions offered insight into the mindset of both managers. O'Neill, speaking to Sky Sports, admitted that the performance was far from the dominant display he would have liked. He highlighted the difficulty of converting the numerous chances they created, describing the game as “crazy” and emphasizing that the team needed to be more decisive in front of goal.
He also praised Johnstone’s early save, acknowledging that without it St Johnstone might have taken the lead. St Johnstone’s boss, Simo Valakari, reflected on his side’s performance with a mixture of optimism and frustration. He recognized that Celtic possessed a higher level of possession and a potent threat in the final third, but he also stressed the importance of capitalising on the moments they created. Valakari lamented missed opportunities, noting that while his team generated enough chances to potentially score, they failed to convert them, resulting in disappointment.
Statistically, the win marked Celtic’s 13th consecutive victory across all competitions, a streak that began in the closing weeks of the previous season. The triumph also extended their unbeaten run in the league, reinforcing their dominance and setting the stage for a crucial upcoming clash with Rangers, scheduled for the following Sunday and broadcast live on Sky Sports.
Looking ahead, Celtic will need to maintain their concentration as they juggle domestic and European commitments. The Europa League tie promises a different set of challenges, while the anticipated Old Firm fixtures will test the squad’s depth and resilience. O'Neill’s rotation policy, which saw several changes for this match, may become a regular feature as he seeks to keep his players fresh and competitive across multiple fronts.
In summary, Mika Baur’s first goal for Celtic was the decisive moment in a tightly fought encounter that saw the champions hold off a resilient St Johnstone side. The win kept Celtic firmly at the top of the Scottish Premiership, preserving a five‑point cushion over Rangers and extending their impressive run of victories. Both managers acknowledged the fine margins that defined the match, with O'Neill praising his goalkeeper’s crucial early intervention and Valakari expressing the need to seize future chances. As the season progresses, Celtic’s ability to balance league ambitions with European aspirations will be pivotal, and the squad’s depth, exemplified by the contributions of players like Baur, Høgh, and Johnstone, will be essential to sustaining their title defence.