St.Johnstone Vs Celtic

Tenth-placed St Johnstone will welcome Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic to McDiarmid Park this Saturday, aiming to pull off a surprising upset against the visitors.

St Johnstone's recent form has been troubling, as they have not secured a win in their last five matches. In contrast, Celtic have been in exceptional form, having not dropped any points across all competitions this season.

Current Situation and Background

St Johnstone finds itself in a precarious position without a permanent manager following the recent dismissal of Craig Levein. His departure came after a disappointing start to the season, where the team's performance fell short of expectations. Levein, who had been at the helm since November 2023, was let go due to a combination of poor results and unsatisfactory football style.

While the team kicked off the season with a promising record in the Scottish League Cup, winning three out of four matches against lower-league teams, they have struggled since then, securing only one victory in their subsequent seven outings.

In the interim, Andy Kirk has stepped in as the temporary manager. His first task was to stabilize the team, and he managed to do just that by halting a four-match losing streak with a 3-3 draw against Ross County in their previous encounter. Kirk will be looking to build on this momentum as he leads St Johnstone into this challenging fixture against Celtic.

The Challenge Ahead

As they prepare for the clash, St Johnstone will undoubtedly enter the match as the underdogs. Their recent performances do not inspire confidence, and the team will need to elevate their game significantly to challenge a Celtic side that is currently flying high in the league.

Celtic, affectionately known as the Bhoys, have been a formidable force this season. They have won all eight matches played across various competitions, boasting an impressive aggregate score of 27 goals scored and just four conceded. Remarkably, they have yet to concede a goal in the league, highlighting their solid defensive capabilities.

Celtic's Dominance and Recent Performance

Brendan Rodgers, who made a return to Celtic in July 2023 after a brief stint at Leicester City, is undoubtedly pleased with the team’s performance this season. Under his guidance, Celtic has not only maintained a perfect winning record but also showcased their attacking prowess, as evidenced by their historic 5-1 victory over Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League.

Rodgers will be keen to extend Celtic's winning streak to eight matches to start the season, and a total of 16 games, including the tail end of the previous season. The Bhoys' remarkable consistency makes them strong favorites heading into this encounter.

Their historical dominance in this fixture adds to the pressure on St Johnstone. Celtic has not lost to St Johnstone since May 2016, remaining unbeaten in their last 29 meetings, with an impressive tally of 25 victories during this period. This record undoubtedly boosts the confidence of the visiting side as they prepare to take on a struggling opponent.

Conclusion

As St Johnstone prepares to face Celtic, the clash promises to be an intriguing battle. While the hosts are in search of a turnaround amid managerial changes and a lack of recent victories, Celtic arrives with an air of invincibility. The match at McDiarmid Park will be pivotal for both teams: for St Johnstone, it’s a chance to break their poor run, while for Celtic, it’s an opportunity to solidify their dominance in the league and extend their impressive unbeaten streak against the Saints. Football fans can expect a tense and exciting encounter as St Johnstone seeks to deliver an unexpected defeat to the high-flying Celtic side.