St Johnstone

Were you at Celtic Park or see St Johnstone's draw in Glasgow elsewhere?

Give us your thoughts on the point gained by Steven MacLean's side here.

Clive Lindsay, BBC Sport Scotland

St Johnstone arrived at Celtic Park on the back of what manager Steven MacLean described as two weeks of "home truths", a "mini pre-season" and a clutch of new signings since a dismal defeat by Ross County.

Fielding three new loanees and with striker Luke Jephcott handed a first start up front, they were focused on simply surviving the Celtic Park experience.

Yet they came mightily close to inflicting Celtic's first domestic defeat since January 2021 and ending a 27-game wait for a win over the Glasgow side as they ended their own run of four straight losses to give a hint of better times ahead.

St Johnstone manager Steven MacLean praised his players for their point at Celtic Park but wants them to take the improved performance into their next one against Dundee.

"We were excellent," he tells BBC Scotland. "Our shape was fantastic, the players' work rate, their work ethic, their energy levels. It was everything we asked for.

"It's been a tough start to the season with the injuries and performances and the results - but it is just a start though. It's a good point here, but it's important that we kick on.

"Myself and my staff have worked diligently all week on what we wanted to do, but it helps when you have 20 players training and you have competition for places."

Summer signing Dimitar Mitov produced several saves to deny Celtic.

"He has been fantastic since he came," MacLean adds. "He wanted to come to Scotland to help him get into the Bulgaria squad and he's done that now. He made some big saves and he is a great guy to have around.

"I picked a team that could handle the ball. I would like to have had more moments, but Joe Hart had a couple of fantastic saves."

As for his squad, MacLean adds: "I would like a couple more in, but I'm not sure if we have the finances and I've talked to a couple about moving out as well."

Alistair Johnston makes his first appearance since last season's Scottish Cup final as the fit-again Canada right-back replaces Anthony Ralston in one of four changes made by Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers after last weekend's 1-0 defeat by Kilmarnock.

For Liam Scales, it is his first Celtic start since February 2022 after spending last season on loan to Aberdeen and he benefits from an injury to recent centre-half signing Maik Nawrocki.

South Korea forward Yang Hyeon-Jun makes his first Celtic start in place of Liel Abada, while David Turnbull returns to midfield as Odin Holm drops to the bench.

Steven MacLean rings the changes after St Johnstone's 2-0 defeat by Ross County last time out - handing debuts to three on-loan signings.

Wigan Athletic's Luke Robinson replaces the injured Liam Gordon in defence.

Newcastle United's Jay Turner-Cooke and Burnley's Dara Costelloe come into midfield, while another summer signing, Luke Jephcott, starts up front.

Stevie May, Ryan McGowan and Cammy Ballantyne drop to the bench, where they are joined by Chris Kane on the striker's return from injury.

Image source, BBC Sport

Celtic: Hart, Johnston, Lagerbielke, Scales, Taylor, McGregor, O'Riley, Turnbull, Maeda, Yang, Kyogo.

Substitutes: Bain, Haksabanovic, Abada, Holm, Kwon, Tomoki, Bernabai, Forrest, Ralston.

St Johnstone: Mitov, Olufunwa, McClelland, Considine, Robinson, Smith, Phillips, Turner-Cooke, Carey, Costelloe, Jephcott.

Substitutes: Richards, Brown, Gallacher, McGowan, May, MacPherson, Kane, Kucheriavyi, Ballantyne.

Image source, BBC Sport

Celtic have major issues in central defence with Cameron Carter-Vickers, Maik Nawrocki (both hamstring), Stephen Welsh and Yuki Kobayashi (both ankle) out.

Reo Hatate (calf), Mikey Johnson (back), Marco Tilio and Oh Hyeon-gyu (calf) remain sidelined but Alistair Johnston is available after an ankle problem.

St Johnstone could hand debuts to three loan players - Burnley forward Dara Costelloe, Wigan defender Luke Robinson and Newcastle midfielder Jay Turner-Cooke.

James Brown, Cammy MacPherson and Chris Kane are back in training following injury but might have to sit out again while Nicky Clark (ankle) and Ali Crawford (calf) are running again.

Ross Sinclair (broken arm), Callum Booth (back), Drey Wright (calf) and Tony Gallacher (neck) remain out.

Image source, SNS

St Johnstone's Taylor Steven has joined Alloa Athletic on a season-long loan.

The 18-year-old forward has featured five times for Saints this term after spending last season on loan at East Fife.

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Graham Carey says the competition for places at St Johnstone is “a lot stronger” and hopes the new additions can help them stun Celtic on Saturday.

After a slow start to the transfer window, Saints have now added nine new recruits this summer.

Steven MacLean’s side travel to Celtic Park on Saturday after following their Viaplay Cup exit with defeats in their opening two league games.

“It was the perfect time [for a break], especially with the new bodies we've got in, to integrate them into the squad and get them to adapt to what the manager wants from them,” said midfielder Carey.

“It's done us all a world of good, we’re confident, the new lads have settled in really well and they bring a lot of quality to the team.

“The competition for places is a lot stronger which will only affect the boys that have been here.

“When you bring in that many players, you need to perform to keep your shirt so I think it'll have a positive effect on everyone.

“We need to be diligent in our defensive work against Celtic, keep a good shape and fight for each other as a team.

“As long as we are brave on the ball and we're good out of possession then we can cause some problems.”

Image source, SNS

Steven MacLean has said his squad is "almost where I want it to be" as he made his ninth signing of the summer.

The St Johnstone manager stressed the need for a raft of recruitment at the beginning of the window, but as he prepares for a trip to Celtic Park, he is much happier with the look of his team.

“I feel the squad is starting to take shape now and it’s almost where I want it to be," MacLean said. "Injuries are starting to come back as well, once they’re all integrated we will be very competitive.

"It’s been very testing. The first day of pre-season I had 12 players. Four of them were youngsters. This week is the first week I have had 20 outfield players which is pleasing.

"It creates competition and players know they will need to play well to keep their place."

In advance of the "incredibly difficult" game against Celtic, the manager added, “Celtic will be looking to rectify their poor result last weekend, it’s always an incredible difficult game in Glasgow.

"It’s one we’re looking forward to and looking to do well in. It’s a game we want to make a good account of ourselves and make it difficult for them."

Image source, SNS

Jay Turner-Cooke believes that St Johnstone is the right club for him to develop, and says that his experiences playing in front of big crowds in pre-season will stand him in good stead.

The 19-year-old has signed a season-long loan deal at McDiarmid Park from English side Newcastle United, and is keen to get started against Celtic this weekend.

"St Johnstone is a big club playing in a big league," Turner-Cooke said. "I feel like this is the perfect step for my career to progress. I am looking forward to working hard to ensure that happens.

"I have watched some Scottish football but not loads of it, so I will be learning along the way.

"I do know how hard a test matches against Celtic and Rangers are, we will be working hard this week to prepare for it.

"I came on for Newcastle against Chelsea in pre-season this summer in front of 70,000 fans, so I will be using that experience for Saturday's trip to Celtic.

"I am here to get my head down, work hard and hopefully play as many games as possible. I know I will need to fight for my place but healthy competition can only make you a better player.

"I like to get on the ball and make things happen. I will be looking to get a lot of assists this year and also chip in with a few goals along the way."

Image source, Getty Images

• Since arriving at Celtic at the beginning of the 2021-22 season, no player has scored more Scottish Premiership goals than Kyogo Furahashi’s 41, while he has three in his last two league matches against S. Johnstone.

• St Johnstone have failed to win any of their last 22 league matches against the reigning champions (D3 L19), last doing so with a 2-1 victory against Ronny Deila’s Celtic in May 2016.

• Celtic have only failed to score in one of their last 33 Premiership matches – a 3-0 defeat by Rangers in May last season. During this run, they have scored 96 goals and conceded 34.

• St Johnstone are without a win in their last 14 visits to Celtic in all competitions (D3 L11) since a 1-0 league victory in March 2015 under Tommy Wright. Danny Swanson scored the Saints’ winner that day.

• Celtic are unbeaten in their last 26 meetings with St Johnstone in all competitions (W23 D3) since a 2-1 away defeat in May 2016, winning each of their last nine in a row. The Hoops last won 10 in a row against the Saints from October 2000 to April 2011 (run of 15).

St Johnstone manager Steven MacLean has told senior players they can leave the club. (Courier - subscription), external

Meanwhile, Saints boss MacLean says Austrian midfield trialist Sven Sprangler "looks the part". (Record), external

Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip

St Johnstone manager Steven MacLean has hailed goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov after the 26-year-old was called up to the Bulgaria national team for the first time.

MacLean believes that Mitov is a great example to potential signings of how they can progress their career at St Johnstone.

“It’s much deserved," MacLean said about Mitov's call-up. "He’s been excellent since he’s come in, on and off the pitch.

"That’s why he came up to Scotland - to play, so it’s great credit to him that he knocked back offers to come up here and showcase himself in the Premiership.

“We’ve brought a lot of boys up from England, and that’s the sort of selling point - that you can come up here and showcase yourself and look to kick on in your career.

"That’s what Dimi did - delighted for him, and it shows the other players that have come up that if you do well in the league then you can progress and go forward.”

Image source, SNS