GLASGOW, Scotland – Celtic Football Club secured a victory against St. Johnstone in the Scottish Cup on a thrilling Saturday at Hampden Park. In front of a passionate crowd, Celtic displayed their attacking prowess, leaving St. Johnstone struggling to keep up.
It all started when Callum McGregor burst forward, threading an impressive pass to Daizen Maeda, who scored his 32nd goal of the season. This goal quickly settled the nerves among the Celtic supporters, prompting them to sing their captain’s name joyously. The initial ball from Andy Fisher landed at the feet of Alistair Johnston, creating the opportunity for McGregor to showcase his skills.
Former Celtic goalkeeper Pat Bonner remarked, “Celtic are moving the ball really well, but the final ball could be better. St. Johnstone are defending well too, so it’s an interesting game.” Indeed, while Celtic controlled the majority of possession, St. Johnstone remained resolute, working hard to close down spaces and limit opportunities.
Celtic’s momentum continued as Reo Hatate expertly set up McGregor at the edge of the box. The St. Johnstone defense momentarily faltered, giving McGregor space to shoot, which he executed beautifully. As Bonner noted on BBC Sportsound, “Lovely finish!”
St. Johnstone goalkeeper Andy Fisher was kept busy throughout the match, making several crucial saves. One such moment came when Arne Engels turned at the edge of the penalty box, only for Fisher to deny him with a smart save. Despite Celtic’s domination, the team in blue remained organized defensively, efficiently handling two corners from the attacking side.
As the match progressed, the tide seemed to shift slightly. The Perth side began to see more of the ball, although they rarely committed many players forward. A notable attempt came from Jason Holt, who aimed to launch a long ball towards Adama Sidibeh but overhit it. Allan Preston, a former St. Johnstone defender, praised Sidibeh for his strength and aerial ability, highlighting that set-pieces could be St. Johnstone’s best chance at scoring.
On the other hand, Celtic continued to apply pressure, with players like Cameron Carter-Vickers and James Forrest attempting shots that either flew wide or were saved. Brendan Rodgers, the Celtic manager, was seen jotting down notes on the sidelines, likely contemplating adjustments as the match unfolded.
As the game reached its climax, Celtic’s relentless pursuit resulted in a flurry of chances, but St. Johnstone held firm under pressure. Their defenders had begun to tire, but their determination kept the scoreline manageable. The small section of St. Johnstone fans present at Hampden could barely be seen, engulfed in smoke from the pyrotechnics they set off in support of their team.
The referee for the match, Calum Scott, oversaw a contest that featured significant action, with both teams showing moments of brilliance and resilience. In conclusion, Celtic proved their quality once again, while St. Johnstone gave an admirable performance, leaving fans optimistic for the upcoming challenges.
