Mika Baur celebrated his maiden strike for Celtic as the Glasgow side stretched their winning run in the Scottish Premiership to six matches. The victory came against St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park, a result that keeps Celtic comfortably five points clear of Rangers at the top of the table.
Ahead of the fixture, manager Martin O'Neill made a raft of changes to his lineup. With a crucial Europa League tie and the looming Old Firm clash on the horizon, O'Neill rotated his squad, bringing back defender Kasper Hogh from injury and handing the goalkeeping duties to loanee Sam Johnstone. Johnstone justified the selection with a spectacular reflex save early in the game, tipping a low drive from Joel Cotterill – who was making his first start for the Saints – onto the crossbar.
The first half was largely a battle of chances, with both teams testing each other's defenses. Celtic enjoyed a higher percentage of possession and created the sharper opportunities, yet the visitors’ keeper produced a series of fine interventions, keeping the score level.
The breakthrough finally arrived after the interval when Haissem Hassan, the Egyptian international, delivered a well‑timed cross into the box. Baur, arriving late into the area, nudged the ball home with a simple tap‑in, registering his inaugural goal for the Hoops. The celebration was brief, however, as the goal was almost nullified when the ball appeared to have gone out of play before Hassan could head it back in.
The referee ruled the ball out, overturning what would have been a second Celtic goal. St Johnstone, who have remained unbeaten at their home ground this season, pressed forward in search of an equaliser. They generated several half‑chances, including a dangerous low cross from Alic that saw Cotterill nearly find the net, only to be denied by Johnstone’s outstretched palms.
Celtic’s defense, marshalled by the returning Hogh, held firm, clearing crosses and blocking shots with composure. At the 40‑minute mark, a powerful drive from Diabate was tipped onto the line by defender Donovan, underscoring the tight nature of the contest.
The second half continued in a similar vein, with both sides trading blows. Celtic’s midfield tried to unlock the compact Saint defence, while St Johnstone’s forwards looked to exploit any gaps left by the rotating Celtic backline. In the 66th minute, a moment of confusion saw the ball cross the line after a headed pass from Hogh to Hassan, but the earlier out‑of‑play call meant the goal could not stand. Later, a curling effort from Hassan was smothered by St Johnstone’s goalkeeper Steward, who also made a crucial save from a shot by Nygren later in the hour.
Despite the relatively low scoring tally, the match featured a number of noteworthy incidents that highlighted the intensity of a Premiership encounter. At 52 minutes, Baur’s goal was the decisive moment, giving Celtic a 1‑0 lead that they would protect for the remainder of the game. The Saints responded with a flurry of attempts, including a close‑range header from Campbell that was deflected past the post, and a near‑miss from Nygren that forced a corner after Steward cleared the danger. Beyond the on‑field action, the game was punctuated by post‑match commentary from several key figures.
Sky Sports analyst James McFadden reflected on a controversial decision involving the ball’s status after it crossed the line, noting the difficulty of overturning such calls without definitive video evidence. He emphasized that the assistant referee’s judgment, made from his position along the cross‑bar, was final in that instance. Celtic manager Martin O'Neill, speaking to Sky Sports, admitted the performance was below the club’s usual standards. He praised his side for finally finding the net, describing the goal as “almost impossible” given the lack of clear-cut chances.
O'Neill also highlighted Johnstone’s early save as a turning point, suggesting that without it St Johnstone might have taken the lead. He concluded by expressing satisfaction with the win, acknowledging that the Saints had moments of danger but that Celtic’s resilience ultimately secured three points. St Johnstone boss Simo Valakari offered a measured assessment of his team’s effort.
He recognised Celtic’s superior possession and final‑third threat, but also pointed out that his side created enough opportunities to potentially score. Valakari lamented the missed chances, stating that the inability to convert those moments was the primary source of disappointment for the hosts. The result extends Celtic’s impressive run of form, marking their 13th consecutive win across all competitions – a streak that began in the closing weeks of the previous season. With the next Premier League fixture against Rangers looming a week later, the Hoops will look to maintain their five‑point cushion at the summit.
The upcoming Old Firm clash, coupled with a Europa League tie, promises a congested schedule that will test the depth of O'Neill’s squad. Fans can look forward to a high‑stakes encounter against Rangers on Sunday, broadcast live on Sky Sports. In the meantime, Celtic will aim to build on the confidence generated by Baur’s breakthrough goal, while St Johnstone will regroup and seek to improve their defensive solidity in future matches.
The match also featured promotional content encouraging viewers to participate in a Super 6 competition, offering chances to win substantial cash prizes. While such advertisements are common in modern broadcasts, they were interspersed with the match commentary, reminding audiences to stay engaged with the platform. Overall, the game was a tightly contested affair that showcased Celtic’s ability to grind out a win despite a lack of clinical finishing, and highlighted St Johnstone’s resilience in a challenging away environment.
The win keeps Celtic firmly in the driver’s seat of the Scottish Premiership, setting up an exciting climax to the season as they chase both domestic and European glory.