In a thrilling encounter at McDiarmid Park, St Johnstone managed to secure a vital victory against Celtic, stunning the Scottish champions and boosting their hopes of survival in the league. The match on April 6, 2025, was marked by intense moments and significant performances from key players on both sides.
The early goal from St Johnstone set the tone for the match, giving the home side a much-needed lift. As the Perth side celebrated, Celtic, known for their resilience, looked to respond quickly. Daizen Maeda was the first to threaten, but his strike was expertly tipped by St Johnstone goalkeeper Andy Fisher, who played a crucial role throughout the game.
Fisher's heroics continued as he denied Stephen Duke-McKenna, who had made a vital intervention to prevent a goal from Maeda earlier. Duke-McKenna was not only defensively solid but also posed a threat going forward, with a swerving shot that was pushed past the post by Celtic's Viljami Sinisalo.
Despite their best efforts, Celtic struggled to find their rhythm. Reo Hatate came close to equalizing, hitting the post early in the second half, and later, he should have done better when he blazed a shot over the bar. The visitors continued to press, with James Forrest having Celtic's best chance of the match, but his close-range effort was saved brilliantly by Fisher.
St Johnstone's resilience was evident as they created opportunities of their own. Benji Kimpioka utilized his physicality effectively, and Victor Griffith came close to adding a second goal with a deflected strike that looped over the bar. The home side's defense held firm against Celtic's relentless attacks, and as the final whistle blew, St Johnstone celebrated a crucial 1-0 victory.
This win not only boosts St Johnstone's hopes of avoiding relegation but also sets the stage for their upcoming Scottish Cup semi-final clash against Celtic on April 20, 2025. The victory is a testament to the team's determination as they prepare to face Dundee United next Saturday at Tannadice, where they will aim to build on this success.
Meanwhile, off the pitch, St Johnstone ultras Fair City Unity (FCU) have called on their club to ease restrictions on Celtic's active fan groups for this afternoon's game. The FCU took to social media to request that St Johnstone reconsider their approach to dealing with Celtic fans, particularly the Bhoys Celtic & the Green Brigade.
In a statement, FCU expressed their concerns following a pre-match operation meeting where they were informed of restrictions against Celtic's active support groups. They highlighted that Celtic had been accommodating this season, allowing St Johnstone's active support to attend matches at Celtic Park with banners, flags, and drums permitted.
"We ask St Johnstone FC that the agreement is reciprocated and the active support groups of Celtic FC are granted the same permissions on Sunday," FCU stated. They emphasized the importance of enhancing the atmosphere at away fixtures and requested that all match day operation agreements be outlined before the start of the next season.
St Johnstone's decision to sell three stands to Celtic supporters was seen as a sensible move to increase revenue for the club. This decision is expected to help the club financially as they prepare for the upcoming season, especially with a trip to Hampden against Celtic on the horizon.
As the dust settles on this match, the focus shifts to the future. St Johnstone's survival bid will continue against Dundee United, while Celtic will look to regroup ahead of their semi-final clash. The stakes are high, and both teams will be eager to capitalize on their respective opportunities.
With the excitement of the league and cup competitions heating up, fans can look forward to more thrilling encounters in the coming weeks. The Celtic Pools Weekly Lottery also offers fans a chance to win up to £25,000 for just £1 per week, adding another layer of excitement to the footballing calendar.
As St Johnstone continues their fight for survival, they will need to maintain this momentum. The victory over Celtic is a significant boost, and with the support of their fans, they hope to secure their place in the league.
