Celtic Football Club showcased their dominance once again as they dispatched St Johnstone with a resounding 4-0 victory at Parkhead on Sunday afternoon. This win not only highlights Celtic's strength but also exacerbates St Johnstone's struggles, solidifying the Hoops' position at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
Coming off the back of another impressive 4-0 win against Motherwell, Celtic entered the match with confidence. Manager Brendan Rodgers made some key adjustments to his lineup, including resting regular captain Callum McGregor, as the team prepared for the upcoming derby against rivals Rangers. Despite McGregor's absence, Celtic's attacking force remained potent, particularly with Nicolas Kuhn continuing his excellent form.
St Johnstone, managed by Simo Valakari, found themselves at the bottom of the table, struggling to secure wins, having only managed one victory in their last nine league matches. Their road to recovery looked bleak as they faced the defending champions, Celtic, who boasted the best offensive and defensive records in the league.
Despite early pressure, it took Celtic half an hour to break the deadlock. Nicolas Kuhn, cutting inside from the right flank, fired the opening goal after receiving the ball from Reo Hatate. Kuhn’s precision shot left St Johnstone goalkeeper Josh Rae with little chance, cementing his role as one of Celtic's key players this season.
With the first goal igniting their confidence, Celtic quickly doubled their lead. Shortly after their opener, Kyogo Furuhashi, the Japanese striker, capitalized on defensive lapses to head home from close range, marking his tenth goal of the season. Just minutes later, he struck again to make it 3-0, demonstrating his potent partnership with Kuhn and providing Celtic with the cushion they needed.
The second half saw Celtic continue their assault, with Daizen Maeda, who came off the bench, adding the fourth goal. Following another swift move, Paulo Bernardo found Maeda, who expertly netted his strike, sealing the emphatic win for the Hoops. This match marks the home team's impressive record, extending their lead at the top of the table to 14 points after rivals Rangers could only manage a draw against Motherwell.
Celtic's manager Brendan Rodgers reflected on the match, noting the importance of maintaining pressure as they vie for another league title. "The key was to impose our style of play and we did just That. We’re in great form and it’s important to build momentum as we approach the new year," he told Celtic TV.
Rodgers' tactical adjustments proved effective, with Arne Engels named man of the match for his persistence and creativity on the right side. The Belgian was instrumental throughout the game, contributing both defensively and offensively. Celtic’s attacking strategy, emphasizing dynamic movement and pressing, kept St Johnstone on the back foot for the entirety of the match.
Despite their efforts, St Johnstone struggled to create significant scoring opportunities. Their best chances came but were thwarted by Celtic's sturdy defense and the impressive goalkeeping of Kasper Schmeichel, who maintained another clean sheet.
Statistically, Celtic dominated the game, recording 75 percent possession and taking 15 shots, with seven on target. By comparison, St Johnstone failed to register any shots on goal. This stark difference exemplifies the challenges facing Valakari’s team as they aim to claw out of the relegation zone.
With this win, Celtic extends their unbeaten run at home to 49 matches, highlighting their formidable presence at Parkhead. The match not only boosts their title credentials but puts the pressure on rivals as the Hoops chase their 55th top-flight title.
The scrutiny will grow for St Johnstone as they head back to McDiarmid Park, currently languishing four points adrift of safety. They simply must rectify their course to avoid relegation, but with their confidence shaken, the task before them looks increasingly mountainous.
This showdown at Parkhead once again emphasized Celtic's quality and depth, leaving them poised for continued success as they head closer to another Scottish Premiership crown. The festive period might have been generous for the Hoops, but they’ll face tougher challenges as the league resumes after the new year.