Mika Baur celebrated his inaugural goal for Celtic as the club stretched its victorious start to the current Scottish Premiership campaign to six matches in a hard‑fought encounter with St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park. The win not only reinforced Celtic's position at the summit but also provided a morale boost ahead of a packed schedule that includes a Europa League fixture and an Old Firm showdown in both the cup and the league. Manager Martin O'Neill, aware of the demanding weeks to come, opted for a substantial rotation, introducing five changes to his starting eleven.
Goalkeeper Kasper Hogh, returning from a spell on the sidelines, was handed the gloves, while Sam Johnstone, the on‑loan custodian, was named as a backup. Hogh justified the selection almost immediately, producing a spectacular reflex save to deny Joel Cotterill, who was making his first start for St Johnstone.
The Danish keeper's intervention kept the hosts in control of the early exchanges. The first half was largely a contest of possession, with Celtic enjoying the bulk of the chances but failing to convert them into a lead. The breakthrough finally arrived after the interval when Haissem Hassan, the Egyptian international, delivered a low, curling cross into the box. Baur, timing his run perfectly, tapped the ball home for his first Celtic goal.
The strike was a simple yet decisive finish, underscoring Baur's growing confidence within the squad. Soon after, the match featured a controversial moment that could have altered the scoreline. Hassan found himself in a promising position and appeared to have netted a second goal, but the referee ruled the ball out of play before it was crossed back in by Hogh. The decision sparked a brief debate among the pundits, with Sky Sports' James McFadden highlighting the difficulty of judging such fine margins without definitive visual evidence.
St Johnstone, unbeaten at their home ground this season, pressed for an equaliser and created several notable opportunities. Their striker, Cotterill, saw a low cross from Alic and struck the ball with authority, only for Johnstone to palm the effort away in a display of reflexes that kept Celtic's lead intact. Later, a corner delivered by Campbell was deflected past the Celtic defence, prompting a swift clearance by the Saints' goalkeeper, Steward, who also made a series of crucial saves throughout the second half. The match timeline read like a highlight reel: a strong stop from the Saints keeper at the 5‑minute mark, a big save from Johnstone at 19 minutes, a near‑miss from McGregor at 31, and a series of chances for both sides in the 40s and 50s.
At the 52‑minute point, Baur's goal was celebrated by the Celtic supporters, marking his first strike for the club. A subsequent disallowed goal at the 66th minute saw Hogh head the ball back to Hassan, only for the referee to rule that the ball had crossed the line prior to the header. Defensive heroics continued as Steward produced a series of saves in the closing stages, denying attempts from Nygren, Forrest, and others. The Saints also came close to scoring when Alic's shot rattled the post at the 80‑minute mark, and Nygren's effort was turned away by Steward shortly after.
Beyond the on‑field action, the match featured commentary from both managers. O'Neill admitted to Sky Sports that the game was far from his team's best performance, describing the scoring opportunities as "almost impossible" to create. He praised Johnstone's first‑half save, noting that without it St Johnstone might have taken the lead. O'Neill also emphasized the importance of securing the three points, even if the display lacked the fluidity he expects from his side.
St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari reflected on his team's performance, acknowledging Celtic's superior possession and final‑third threat. He questioned whether his side could capitalize on the moments they created and lamented the missed chances that could have changed the outcome.
Valakari highlighted the difficulty of breaking down a high‑quality opponent and expressed disappointment at not converting the opportunities they generated. The result left Celtic five points clear of second‑placed Rangers, maintaining their grip on the top of the table. The upcoming fixtures promise further tests, with a crucial league clash against Rangers scheduled for the following Sunday, broadcast live on Sky Sports.
Both clubs will be eager to assert their dominance as the title race intensifies. In summary, Baur's debut goal encapsulated a night of resilience and tactical adjustments for Celtic. While the performance may not have dazzled, the victory extended their winning streak to 13 matches across all competitions, a run that began in the closing weeks of the previous season. The team's ability to hold onto a slender lead despite numerous chances for St Johnstone demonstrates a growing defensive solidity under O'Neill's guidance.
Looking ahead, Celtic must fine‑tune their attacking cohesion and maintain defensive concentration as they juggle domestic and European commitments. The squad's depth, highlighted by Hogh's return and Johnstone's reliable backup role, will be pivotal in navigating the congested fixture list.
For St Johnstone, the narrow defeat offers lessons in converting possession into goals, a factor that could prove decisive in their pursuit of a higher league finish. Overall, the match provided a blend of individual brilliance, controversial decisions, and strategic rotation, all set against the backdrop of a title race that remains wide open. Fans can anticipate more drama as Celtic aim to consolidate their lead, while Rangers prepare to challenge the champions in what promises to be a marquee encounter.