Mika Baur celebrated his first goal for Celtic as the Scottish champions extended their flawless start to the current Premiership title defence to six consecutive victories. The match, played at McDiarmid Park, saw Celtic maintain a narrow but crucial lead, keeping them five points clear of Rangers at the top of the table. With a demanding schedule looming – a Europa League fixture and the prospect of an Old Firm clash in both the cup and the league – manager Martin O'Neill made five alterations to his starting eleven. Veteran goalkeeper Sam Johnstone returned to the side after a spell on loan, while Kasper Høgh was also reinstated after recovering from injury.
The changes paid off early when Johnstone produced a spectacular reflex save to deny Joel Cotterill, who was making his first start for St Johnstone. That denial set the tone for a game in which the hosts enjoyed the majority of the clear-cut chances. The breakthrough came after the interval. Haissem Hassan, the Egyptian winger, delivered a low, curling cross from the right flank.
Baur, arriving late into the box, timed his run perfectly and tapped the ball home with a composed finish. It was a moment of personal triumph for the German midfielder, who had been searching for his inaugural Celtic goal since joining the club.
The celebration was short‑lived, however, as a subsequent attempt by Hassan was ruled out when the ball had crossed the line before being headed back into play by Høgh. The referee’s decision sparked a brief debate among the pundits about the need for clearer goal‑line technology, but the call stood. St Johnstone, who have remained unbeaten at McDiarmid Park this season, pressed forward and created several opportunities of their own. Their striker, Cotterill, found space on the edge of the box and struck a powerful low drive that looked destined for the back of the net, only for Johnstone to palm the ball away at the last instant.
Later, a dangerous cross from the left was met by Nygren, whose header was comfortably saved by Celtic’s keeper. Throughout the second half, both sides exchanged blows, with the Saints’ defender Forrest forcing a crucial block and Celtic’s defender Steward repeatedly clearing danger. The match also featured a number of notable moments captured by the live broadcast.
At the 5‑minute mark, Hassan’s early attempt was denied by a superb stop from the Saints’ goalkeeper, who tipped the ball over the bar. At 19 minutes, Johnstone’s reflex save on Cotterill’s low cross drew applause from the crowd. The 31st minute saw McGregor’s shot deflected by Campbell before Steward cleared it.
Later, Diabate’s effort for St Johnstone was hooked off the line by Celtic defender Donovan, and a brilliant cross from Tounekti was headed past by Diabate, only to be saved again. The decisive goal at 52 minutes was Baur’s tap‑in, a simple yet effective finish that cemented his place on the scoresheet.
Shortly after, a potential second goal for Celtic was disallowed when Høgh’s header back to Hassan was deemed to have originated from a ball that had already gone out of play. The decision sparked a brief discussion among commentators about the interpretation of the off‑side rule in such scenarios. Both managers reflected on the performance in post‑match interviews.
Celtic boss Martin O'Neill admitted that the team had struggled to convert the abundance of chances they created. "I’m not even sure what to make of the game," he said. "We could have scored a number of goals we didn’t.
It was a bit chaotic, but we did enough to win, and that’s what matters. Sam Johnstone made a great save in the first half; without it we might have been in trouble." St Johnstone’s coach Simo Valakari praised his side’s resilience but lamented missed opportunities. "We had our moments, but Celtic’s quality is always a threat.
We created chances, but we didn’t finish them. That’s the disappointment of the evening," he explained. Sky Sports analyst James McFadden weighed in on a controversial moment when the assistant referee ruled a ball out of play.
"There’s no way of telling definitively without clear evidence," he said. "The assistant made a call, and we have to live with it." Overall, the win marked Celtic’s 13th consecutive triumph across all competitions, stretching back to the final weeks of the previous season.
Their unbeaten run in the league now stands at six games, and they remain firmly in control of the title race. The next challenge looms on the horizon: a highly anticipated Premiership encounter with Rangers on Sunday, broadcast live on Sky Sports.
Both teams will be eager to close the five‑point gap, and the fixture promises to be a decisive moment in the championship battle. In addition to the on‑field action, the broadcast included promotional segments for the Super 6 competition, offering viewers a chance to win substantial cash prizes. Fans were encouraged to use Chrome for an optimal video experience, and the commentary team highlighted the importance of decisive goal‑line decisions in modern football. The match, while not displaying Celtic at their most dominant, demonstrated their ability to grind out results when needed.
With a packed schedule ahead, the squad will need to manage player fatigue and maintain focus across domestic and European commitments. Baur’s goal, his first for the club, may serve as a confidence boost for the midfielder as he seeks to become a regular contributor in the attacking third.
As the season progresses, Celtic’s depth and tactical flexibility under O'Neill will be tested, but the early string of victories suggests they are well‑positioned to defend their Scottish Premiership crown.