Early Balodis header gives St Johnstone first win over Celtic since 2016
Perth side now five adrift at bottom
Celtic need two wins to clinch 13th title in 14 seasons
St Johnstone v Celtic (12:00)
St Johnstone: Fisher, Curtis, Balodis, Mitchell, Wright, Holt, Duke-McKenna, Griffith, Carey, Kirk, Sidibeh.
Substitutes: Sinclair, Svedberg, Clark, Steven, Sprangler, Smith, McPake, Kimpioka, Watt.
Celtic: Sinisalo, Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Schlupp, McGregor, Engels, Hatate, Jota, Kuhn, Maeda.
Substitutes: Bain, Taylor, Idah, Yang, McCowan, Nawrocki, Bernardo, Forrest, Ralston.
St Johnstone v Celtic (12:00)
Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland
St Johnstone's plight is stark - but how has a club that has for so long been part of the Premiership furniture got into such trouble?
Simo Valakari was appointed in October with the side sitting 10th.
While they have gone backwards in terms of league position since, the Finn has been praised for trying to produce a team playing better football.
It has taken a while for that to be reflected in an upturn of results, but since the end of January they have lost only three of their last eight league games and have navigated a route to the Scottish Cup semi-finals.
But has the damage already been done in terms of their top-division status?
Arithmetically, of course, they can still turn things around but they need to do their bit and hope others falter.
St Johnstone v Celtic (12:00)
Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland at McDiarmid Park
Quite the day at McDiarmid Park, the Perthshire sunshine is glorious. This stadium should be full to the brim, with Celtic fans taking up their offer of three stands.
At one stage Celtic could have wrapped up the title here. Should they get a win this afternoon, they'll be 90 minutes away from retaining their title.
Brendan Rodgers says they've not spoken about that but admits his players will be aware of what a win here could do.
St Johnstone, adrift at the foot of the table, need to try and get something from this game, but given the two previous results against Celtic this season that seems fairly unlikely.
Image source, SNSSt Johnstone v Celtic (12:00)
St Johnstone v Celtic (12:00)
St Johnstone v Celtic (12:00)
Optimistic stuff from Simo Valakari, but there have been some interesting comments from owner Adam Webb on Sky Sports regarding St Johnstone and the club's first-team manager.
"Yes, we are looking at what will happen if we get relegated and we are preparing for that possibility even though we certainly do not want or hope that to happen," said the American.
"I believe that a club our size over time is going to end up in the second tier at times. We certainly feel we’re a first-tier club for the most part but all know the vagaries of football, the rollercoaster ride. It is a fact of life that St Johnstone will ultimately return to the Championship, we just hope it’s not this year.
"There are different metrics you would use to rate a coach. On some, he’s an A+, for example his community interaction is an A+. His communication skills are an A-, but his results on the pitch, which of course is the number one metric, he would be the first to tell you this, are more like a C+ at this point.
"We’ve seen great improvement. We’re a number six or seven club if you’re just looking at since January. I’ve seen what Simo can do as far as a leader [goes] and as someone who can motivate players, motivate staff, motivate fans and so if we all work together work together on this, we’ve got every ability to do it.
"Since January, we’ve been playing well. We’ve given ourselves a chance. It’s a uphill battle but one that our players, our staff, our coaches are more than capable of succeeding [with]."
Image source, SNSAdam Webb at McDiarmid Park in January
St Johnstone v Celtic (12:00)
St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari tells BBC Scotland: "We're playing against a very, very, very good team, but our team is good as well.
"We need to find the balance right with how we defend, what we do when we have the ball and after we lose it.
"I'm confident as always, let's go out and play and see where it takes us."
Image source, SNSSt Johnstone v Celtic (12:00)
This is how the table looks heading into Sunday's fixtures.
Celtic can move 16 points clear with a win following another defeat for Rangers yesterday.
A victory would also set Brendan Rodgers' side up for a potential title-clinching match with Kilmarnock next weekend.
Meanwhile, St Johnstone are aiming to move within five points of Dundee in 11th.
St Johnstone v Celtic (12:00)
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers tells BBC Scotland: "I prefer a left-footed centre-half, it felt natural to put [Auston Trusty] back in.
"Every game is different, we played really well here earlier in the season. We want to be able to bring that performance again today.
"The level of our football was fast and dynamic and we want to do that again. We know we have to be aggressive in our counter-pressing."
Image source, SNSSt Johnstone v Celtic (12:00)
BBC Radio Scotland
You can listen to build-up and live match commentary at McDiarmid Park from 11:30 BST on BBC Radio Scotland.
Or just click the button at the top of this page when the time comes.
St Johnstone v Celtic (12:00)
Simo Valakari makes three changes to his St Johnstone side after their defeat at in-form Hibernian last weekend.
Adama Sidibeh, Graham Carey and Stephen Duke-McKenna are all into the starting XI, with Barry Douglas, Sven Sprangler and Jonathan Svedberg dropping out.
Long-term absentees Uche Ikpeazu, Bozo Mikulic and Sam McClelland are still missing.
St Johnstone v Celtic (12:00)
Just one Celtic change following their comfortable 3-0 win over Hearts last weekend.
It comes in defence as Maik Nawrocki drops out for the returning Auston Trusty, who is making his first appearance in a month.
Viljami Sinisalo continues in goal in the absence of injured Kasper Schmeichel.
St Johnstone v Celtic (12:00)
St Johnstone: Fisher, Curtis, Balodis, Mitchell, Wright, Holt, Duke-McKenna, Griffith, Carey, Kirk, Sidibeh.
Substitutes: Sinclair, Svedberg, Clark, Steven, Sprangler, Smith, McPake, Kimpioka, Watt.
Celtic: Sinisalo, Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Schlupp, McGregor, Engels, Hatate, Jota, Kuhn, Maeda.
Substitutes: Bain, Taylor, Idah, Yang, McCowan, Nawrocki, Bernardo, Forrest, Ralston.
Image source, SNS
Image source, SNS
Image source, SNSAnother step closer to the title? Or a step closer to survival?
It's top versus bottom at McDiarmid Park as runaway leaders Celtic visit basement club St Johnstone.
Team news incoming...
Daniels Balodis got St Johnstone's crucial early goal
St Johnstone have given themselves a "fighting chance" of avoiding relegation, says manager Simo Valakari, after they defeated Celtic to deny the reigning champions the chance to clinch another Scottish Premiership title next Saturday.
Celtic knew a win at McDiarmid Park would allow them to secure a fourth successive league championship in front of their own fans against Kilmarnock next weekend.
But Daniels Balodis' thumping early header from Graham Carey's teasing free-kick - combined with a brilliant defensive display - brought the basement side back to within five points of Dundee.
Celtic may yet finish next weekend confirmed as champions if they beat Kilmarnock and Rangers lose at Aberdeen the following day.
But Latvian Balodis' first goal for St Johnstone has thwarted their hopes - for now - of doing it under their own steam and in front of their own fans.
"My players wanted to show that they are good players and we are a good team," said Valakari. "There's no better place to show that than against Celtic at your home stadium. Very proud of the performance.
"We give ourselves the fighting chance. Where does it take us? We don't know but we need to stay there until the end. We keep going."
The early goal certainly gave the Perth side a spring in their step. And Celtic's response was predictable. But their failure to get back into this this one was anything but.
In-form Daizen Maeda was the first to have a go, his strike being tipped by goalkeeper Andy Fisher towards the back post when Stephen Duke-McKenna nipped in front of Nicolas Kuhn to make a vital intervention.
Not content with his goal-saving heroics, Duke-McKenna proved a threat up the other end, with his swerving shot pushed past by Celtic goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo.
The visitors continued to search for the equaliser - Reo Hatate hit a post with a early in the second period and should have done better later on when he blazed over.
At the other end, Benji Kimpioka used his physicality to good effect, as St Johnstone created one or two chances. And Victor Griffith came close to adding a second, his deflected strike looping over.
James Forrest had Celtic's best chance, but his close-range effort was saved by the excellent Fisher, who also kept out an effort by Luke McCowan.
The Perth side held on and their survival bid will continue against Dundee United at Tannadice on Saturday before the post-split fixtures ensue.
St Johnstone will meet Celtic again in their Scottish Cup semi-final on 20 April.
Maybe Celtic were shocked by St Johnstone taking an early lead and frustrated by some brilliant defending, but they were just off it in Perth.
They just could not find an end product, with Maeda, Hatate and Jota not their usual sparky selves or at their clinical best.
It won't derail Celtic as they close in on another title, of course, but the fact the loss has delayed any party will not please Brendan Rodgers in the slightest.
He demands intensity and pace in his side's play and, while he got that in patches, Celtic didn't use it well.
St Johnstone's set-up was bold and their bravery was rewarded.
Not only did they take the lead against a team who had previously put them to the sword this season with an aggregate of 10-0, but they also defended the predictable Celtic response brilliantly.
Celtic piled on pressure in the second half, but St Johnstone held firm, while Fisher made some vital saves.
The points could be vital too as they try to stave off the threat of relegation after 16 years in the top flight. It was a brilliant display and one that psychologically could be huge for the league run-in.
Although, it must be a tad frustrating for manager Simo Valakari that performances like this have been so rare this term. Still, he will be focusing on the positives and hoping the result will spark something.
Celtic mentality 'concerning' for manager Rodgers
St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari: "There were a lot of good performances, starting from the striker all the way, of course, to our goalkeeper. You need in these matches to make saves and Andy Fisher made those saves.
"Our players, mentally, they were switched on all the time. Early goal helps because then you have even more to hang on to. Our players, they can defend."
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: "Bitterly disappointed in the start of the game. It's happened too many times. I've seen a trend now with us, and it will be interesting between now and the end of the season in terms of mentality.
"We talked about being a top team and having talent but also having drive, desire and ambition to win and having spirt, and too many of our players have been too comfortable.
"There's no excuse, we also have to give a big, big credit to St Johnstone. We were disappointed in the game in terms of our attitude.."
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32 | 25 | 3 | 4 | 92 | 21 | 71 | 78 |
| |
| 32 | 20 | 5 | 7 | 66 | 33 | 33 | 65 |
| |
| 32 | 13 | 11 | 8 | 50 | 41 | 9 | 50 |
| |
| 32 | 14 | 7 | 11 | 43 | 47 | -4 | 49 |
| |
| 32 | 13 | 8 | 11 | 40 | 40 | 0 | 47 |
| |
| 32 | 11 | 6 | 15 | 43 | 44 | -1 | 39 |
| |
| 32 | 11 | 5 | 16 | 42 | 52 | -10 | 38 |
| |
| 32 | 11 | 5 | 16 | 37 | 56 | -19 | 38 |
| |
| 32 | 9 | 8 | 15 | 37 | 53 | -16 | 35 |
| |
| 32 | 9 | 8 | 15 | 31 | 53 | -22 | 35 |
| |
| 32 | 9 | 7 | 16 | 50 | 67 | -17 | 34 |
| |
| 32 | 8 | 5 | 19 | 33 | 57 | -24 | 29 |
|
Manager: Simo Valakari
Formation: 4 - 4 - 2
Manager: Brendan Rodgers
Formation: 4 - 3 - 3
Manager: Simo Valakari
Formation: 4 - 4 - 2
Manager: Brendan Rodgers
Formation: 4 - 3 - 3
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St. Johnstone are winless in their last 31 meetings with Celtic in all competitions (D4 L27) since a 2-1 league win in May 2016 under Tommy Wright.
Celtic have won each of their last 15 away games at St. Johnstone in all competitions by an aggregate score of 48-9. Only at Partick Thistle (18 – Nov 1995 to Jan 2020) and Queen’s Park (19 – Oct 1904 to Sep 1923) have they ever enjoyed a longer away winning run against a particular opponent.
St. Johnstone have won just one of their last six league games (D2 L3), failing to score at all in both of their last two. The Saints last went three successive league matches without scoring in August 2023.
Celtic’s 3-0 win over Hearts last time out was their 20th Scottish Premiership clean sheet of the season in 31 games. Only in 1913-14 have they ever reached 20 clean sheets sooner from the start of a league campaign (27th match).
31% of Daizen Maeda’s Scottish Premiership goals have come in 2025 (11/35). The Japanese forward is looking to become the first player to score in six successive league appearances for Celtic since Odsonne Édouard in February 2021.
