Celtic v St Johnstone – Brendan expecting similar game to Motherwell

The Celtic Star

·29 December 2024

Celtic v St Johnstone – Brendan expecting similar game to Motherwell

Brendan Rodgers reckons he is ‘expecting a similar game,’ against St Johnstone this afternoon to the Motherwell on Boxing Day…

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Motherwell at Celtic Park, on 26th December 2024. (Picture by Mark Runnacles Shutterstock)

Celtic extended their lead at the top of the table on Thursday to 12 points after their comprehensive 4-0 victory over Motherwell coupled with theRangers losing in dramatic fashion in Paisley.

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Top versus bottom today

It is top versus bottom today with the Hoops’ opponents sitting rock bottom. Simo Valakari’s appointment seemed to have given the Saints an initial boost, but since then St Johnstone have picked up very few points.

With one win in their last nine Premiership fixtures, the signs of top-flight survival look ominous for the McDiarmid Park club as they surpass the half-way mark of the season.

A trip to Celtic Park is the last encounter Valakari’s men would want in a time of hardship. Hearts are two points above the Saints on 16 points with Ross County’s stunning 3-0 win over Dundee at Dens Park on Boxing Day taking the Staggies four clear of their relegation rivals.

READ THIS…Celtic v St Johnstone – Team news, referee details, KO time & where to watch

St Johnstone v Celtic – Kyogo scores. Photo Jane Barlow

Meanwhile, Brendan Rodgers’ record against St Johnstone over the Irishman’s two spells as manager is impressive. This will be Rodgers’ 17th match against the Perth club having previously won on 13 occasions, drawing three, scoring 47 and conceding on eight occasions.

Celtic won 6-0 in September up in Perth

The two sides met earlier on this season at McDiarmid Park where the three-in-a-row Scottish champions displayed their finest domestic performance of the season thus far winning 6-0 stylishly courtesy of a Kyogo double and Paulo Bernardo, Callum McGregor, Daizen Maeda and Adam Idah all adding to the scoreline.

St Johnstone v Celtic – Callum McGregor celebrates scoring our fourth goal of the game during the Scottish Premiership match at McDiarmid Park, Perth on Saturday September 28, 2024. Photo Jane Barlow

Looking ahead to this afternoon’s clash, Brendan Rodgers told Celtic TV,: “It’s interesting because I think since the new manager has come in, he’s started off with a diamond whereas recently I’ve seen him more with a 4-4-2.

Might be a similar game

“But I think his ethos is to play football, to take the ball, to pass the ball and create opportunities.”

Rodgers explained: “It’s a quick turnaround from [Thursday]. So, it might be a similar game, maybe a different set-up in terms of the system. But maybe a similar game, similar set-up: be compact and rely on players breaking out.”

St Johnstone v Celtic – Callum McGregor celebrates with team-mates after scoring our fourth goal of the game during the Scottish Premiership match at McDiarmid Park, Perth on Saturday September 28, 2024. Photo Jane Barlow

“The onus is on us. We want to impose our way, and we’ll prepare now and get ready for that. Bring that freshness and finish the year really well.”

Kick-off in Glasgow’s East End is 3:00pm and is available to watch for subscribers outside Britain and Ireland on Celtic TV.

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Conor Spence

Celtic in the Thirties by Celtic Historian Matt Corr is published in two volumes by Celtic Star Books. ORDER NOW WHILE STOCKS LAST!

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