Celtic’s hopes of winning the Scottish Premiership title at home next weekend have been put on ice following a disappointing 1-0 defeat to St Johnstone in Perth this afternoon. Brendan Rodgers’ men went into the game knowing that just two more wins would be enough to mathematically secure the title, but their plans were thrown off course by a lacklustre performance at McDiarmid Park. Despite controlling much of the possession, the Hoops couldn’t find a way to win and were punished by a rare St Johnstone goal that handed the hosts a surprise win.
With six matches left to play and 18 points still available, Celtic still hold a commanding lead. A win against Kilmarnock next Saturday would stretch the advantage to 16 points with only 15 remaining, but only if Rangers were to lose to Aberdeen on Sunday. That combination of results would confirm Celtic as champions next weekend. However, should both sides win their games, Celtic would not be able to clinch the title until the first game after the Premiership split at the earliest. A victory in that post-split opener would push the Hoops beyond the reach, regardless of Rangers’ remaining fixtures.
The defeat in Perth is undoubtedly a setback, but the big picture remains the same. Celtic are still firmly in control of the title, and it’s now just a question of when—not if—the Premiership trophy will be returning to Paradise. Celtic supporters may have to wait a little longer for the celebrations to begin, but the finishing line is well within sight.
St Johnstone stunned the champions-elect early on when Daniels Balodis headed in a goal from a Graham Carey free-kick in the fourth minute. This early strike set the tone for the match, as Celtic struggled to break through a resolute St Johnstone defense. Despite being the superior side in terms of possession and chances, Celtic failed to find the back of the net for the third time in the league this season.
Celtic had a number of opportunities to equalize, with Daizen Maeda coming close after latching onto a loose back pass, only to be denied by St Johnstone goalkeeper Andy Fisher. Fisher was in inspired form, making a series of crucial saves to keep Celtic at bay, including a brilliant stop to deny substitute James Forrest from close range.
Rodgers made tactical changes during the match, bringing on Hyun-Jun Yang and Greg Taylor at halftime, which helped Celtic dominate the second period. Reo Hatate nearly leveled the score with a powerful effort that struck the left post, but Celtic’s inability to convert chances proved costly.
After the match, Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers expressed his disappointment, stating, "I want to give credit to St Johnstone because I thought from the first minute their fight was better than ours. They're obviously desperate for the points; we should be desperate for the points. They made it really difficult for us, and we started off too soft." He acknowledged the pressure of expectations, saying, "When you're presented with an opportunity like that, you have to get out of your comfort zone and really show you have that will and want right from the first whistle to get the points. It was only when we were behind that it came about."
St Johnstone's victory was crucial as they continue their battle against relegation. Manager Simo Valakari emphasized the importance of the win, stating, "We needed the points, we needed a win. We needed to put our heart and soul out there. The bottom line is nothing has changed. We got the three points and need to keep fighting." Fisher, who was named Player of the Match, also highlighted the need to focus on the upcoming fixtures, saying, "It's massive but if we go into next week and lose, it counts for nothing. We need to keep our heads down and focus on the next game."
Looking ahead, Celtic’s next match against Kilmarnock on April 12, 2025, will be pivotal. A win would not only extend their lead at the top of the table but could also set the stage for a title celebration if Rangers fail to secure a victory against Aberdeen the following day. With the stakes high, Celtic will need to regroup and refocus as they approach the final stretch of the season.
As it stands, Celtic remains 13 points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership table, needing just two wins to secure the championship. The defeat to St Johnstone has certainly added pressure, but the Hoops have shown resilience throughout the season. Fans will be hoping that the setback serves as a wake-up call, igniting a fierce response in the coming matches.
In summary, while the title celebrations may be on hold for now, Celtic’s position at the top of the league remains strong. With a commanding lead and crucial matches ahead, all eyes will be on the Hoops as they aim to secure their fourth consecutive title and 13th in the last 14 seasons. The journey continues, and the next chapter unfolds against Kilmarnock, where Celtic will look to reclaim their momentum and push towards the finish line.
