Saints 1-2 Celtic

The visitors took the lead just before half time when a low cross from Sead Hakšabanović took a wacked deflection off Andy Considine to divert it into the net.

Celtic twice thought they had extended their lead during the second half as both Giorgos Giakoumakis and Daizen Maeda had their efforts ruled out for offside.

It had looked like Saints had rescued a point 3 minutes into stoppage time as Alex Mitchell guided a fine left footed effort beyond Joe Hart.

However, there was further drama to come as Celtic secured the win with virtually the last kick of the match as Giakoumakis got on the end of an Alexandro Bernabei cross to seal all 3 points for the league leaders.

Next up for Saints is a trip to Livingston next Saturday, kick off 3pm.

MATCH REPORT

Celtic were the visitors to Perth this lunchtime for a cinch Premiership match which was live on Sky Sports. Despite a stoppage time goal from Theo Bair Saints lost 2-1 at Kilmarnock on Wednesday evening and Callum Davidson made two changes to the Saints starting eleven for today’s match. Both Ali Crawford and Stevie May dropped to the bench and they were replaced by Max Kucheriavyi, who was making his first start in the cinch Premiership, and Jamie Murphy. Celtic lost 3-1 in Germany to RB Leipzig in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday evening and manager Ange Postecoglou made six changes to his starting eleven. In came Anthony Ralston, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Alexandro Bernabei, Sead Hakšabanović, Liel Abada and Giorgos Giakoumakis and they replaced Josip Juranović, Moritz Jenz, Greg Taylor, Callum McGregor, Daizen Maeda and Kyogo Furuhashi.

It was a sunny afternoon in Perth as Sead Hakšabanović got the match underway for the visitors. The Bhoys created the first chance of the match on 3 minutes as Stephen Welsh headed over from a Matt O’Riley corner. Celtic controlled the early exchanges and on 7 minutes Alexandro Bernabei broke to the byline before sending over an inviting cross however, luckily for Saints no one in a Celtic top could get on the end of it. Then a minute later Jota latched onto a long ball forward and it looked like the Portuguese winger was in an offside position but play continued as he advanced into the box before picking out Liel Abada in the centre but his effort didn’t trouble Remi Matthews as it went over.

From the resulting goal kick Matthews sent a long ball forward which Nicky Clark latched onto as he looked to lob the ball over Joe Hart however, his effort went narrowly over the bar.

PHOTO: Nicky Clark puts his shot over the bar

The first booking of the game came on 11 minutes as Welsh was shown a yellow card for a foul on Ryan McGowan.

O’Riley came within inches of giving The Bhoys the lead on 18 minutes as he unleashed a strike from the edge of the box which Matthews did well to tip onto the post as the ball went behind for a corner. Then 10 minutes later Abada advanced down the right before seeing his cross into the box clip the crossbar before going behind for a goal kick.

Saints were holding their own against the league leaders and a Melker Hallberg corner from the left on 38 minutes was only cleared as far as Max Kucheriavyi however, his effort from the edge of the box went over.

PHOTO: Reo Hatate fends off Max Kucheriavyi

The breakthrough came with 3 minutes of the first half remaining as Celtic took the lead. Reo Hatate played the ball into the unmarked Hakšabanović and his cross took a wicked deflection off Andy Considine before landing in the net.

Celtic made one change before the second half could get underway as Daizen Maeda came on to replace Jota.  

Celtic thought they had doubled their lead 5 minutes into the second half as O’Riley floated his free kick into the box and Giakoumakis headed the ball into the net however, play was pulled back as the Greek forward was in an offside position.

Then 4 minutes later the visitors were awarded another free kick following a foul on Hakšabanović by Considine. O’Riley took the free kick however, his effort took a deflection off Maeda as it hit the side netting.

Saints made their first changes of the match on 63 minutes as Stevie May and Ali Crawford came on to replace Jamie Murphy and Max Kucheriavyi.

Then a minute later Matthews made an excellent point blank save to deny Abada. Matthews made another fine save shortly after as Hatate played in Abada but his strike was well saved by the Saints number one.

On 69 minutes Saints were inches away from levelling the match as Crawford played in May but his low strike hit the post before Anthony Ralston cleared the danger.

PHOTO: Stevie May reacts as his shot hits the post

With 15 minutes remaining Saints made another double change as James Brown and Nicky Clark were replaced by Connor McLennan and Theo Bair.

Celtic thought they had got the second goal to seal the points with 3 minutes remaining as Maeda turned home a Ralston cross but again the goal was ruled out for offside.

Play then quickly switched to the other end as Bair fed the ball to May and his cross from the byline was met by McLennan however, his strike lacked composure as he blasted over. Hart then made a good save shortly after as he pushed away a strike from May as Saints continued the pressure on the Bhoys goal.

Saints though were rewarded for their pressure deep into stoppage time as Crawford floated a free kick into the box and it was flicked on by Bair and the ball fell nicely to Alex Mitchell. The on-loan Millwall defender then steered the ball low past Hart to spark wild celebration amongst the home support.

PHOTO: Alex Mitchell scores for Saints to make it 1-1

However, Saints were left heartbroken moments later as Drey Wright fell to the turf with an injury and that left a big open space for Bernabei to run into. The Argentinean then crossed the ball into the box from the left and Giakoumakis slide in to slot the ball past Matthews to snatch all 3 points for the visitors.

PHOTO: Alex Mitchell celebrates his goal

Saints: Matthews, Wright, Mitchell, Gordon, Considine, Brown (Bair 75), Hallberg, McGowan, Kucheriavyi (Crawford 63), Murphy (May 63), Clark (McLennan 75)

Unused Substitutes: Parish (GK), O’Halloran, Wotherspoon, Gallacher, Phillips

Booked: McGowan, Kucheriavyi, Hallberg

Scorer: Mitchell (90+3)

Celtic: Hart, Ralston, Welsh, Carter-Vickers, Bernabei, O’Riley (Abildgaard 68), Hatate (Mooy 68), Hakšabanović (McCarty 82), Abada (Forrest 68), Giakoumakis, Jota (Maeda 45)

Unused Substitutes: Bain (GK), Siegrist (GK), Furuhashi, Juranović

Booked: Welsh, Carter-Vickers, Giakoumakis

Scorers: Considine (42 og), Giakoumakis (90+5)

Referee: Euan Anderson

Attendance: 7,093

Match Report by Daryl Scott

Picture: Ryan McGowan battles with Giorgos Giakoumakis