St Johnstone 1-3 Celtic: Leaders fight back from goal down to extend advantage to 11 points

Manager Brendan Rodgers says he has “never been so angry at half-time” after his Celtic side recovered from an interval deficit to win at St Johnstone.

But Rodgers’ side responded emphatically with three goals in 26 second-half minutes to ensure they extended their unbeaten league start to 15 games and remained eight clear at the top.

Matt O’Riley’s sensational strike arrowed into the net just after Callum McGregor’s fierce drive from the edge of the box had eventually broken down the resolute backline of a home side who were well worth their first-half lead.

Hart then redeemed himself by clawing out a close-range Jay Turner-Cooke header in stoppage time, which started an instant counter-attack that ended with James Forrest coolly dispatching a third for the visitors.

“I’m still a bit angry if I’m honest,” Rodgers told BBC Scotland.

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“It was nothing to do with tactics, it was about mentality. We had gone a game and half not scoring against St Johnstone, that’s not the demands of this club. One or two were too comfortable and got bullied for the goal.

“There was no intensity whatsoever. We were deservedly behind. But the second half was different. That’s what you expect when you play for Celtic.”

Pre-match, Rodgers expected a reaction from his players as their midweek European exit in Rome followed a home draw with Motherwell last weekend.

And it looked like the Celtic manager was going to get that as his side started brightly, with Kyogo Furuhashi blasting over before O’Riley failed to connect with a sliding effort at close range.

Sloppiness from the leaders fuelled the hosts with hope, though, and they had something to hold on to when on-loan Charlton man Jaiyesimi opened his St Johnstone account shortly after being denied from close range.

But, aside from that late Turner-Cooke header, Levein’s side offered little in an attacking sense after the interval as the introductions of Mikey Johnston and Oh Hyeon-gyu helped Celtic avoid a scare and turn the game in their favour.

Player of the match – Callum McGregor (Celtic)

Mitov magnificent as Rodgers’ stern words prompt response – analysis

Levein has to take credit for St Johnstone’s first-half approach. His decision to start without a recognised striker would have prompted 4-6-0 jokes, but the game plan worked to a tee in the opening period.

Turner-Cooke’s late header perhaps suggests that the home side should have given it more of a go after the break, but Levein can rest in the knowledge that he has a very, very good goalkeeper in Dimitar Mitov.

A fantastic first-half save from a bending David Turnbull shot was bettered by a phenomenal close-range block to deny Kyogo, who was offside anyway.

But, despite that stunning late stop in the opposite goal, questions will continue to be asked about Hart as Celtic’s man between the sticks again looked far from convincing for St Johnstone’s opener.

In fairness, the former England keeper was one of many performing below par for Celtic in the first half, but Rodgers’ stern half-time words prompted a reaction from his key men.

The comeback win means Celtic remain unbeaten in their first 15 league matches for the first time since 2017-18 – also under Rodgers, whose side went on to win the Premiership by nine points that season.

What they said

St Johnstone manager Craig Levein: “Disappointment is the primary emotion. But I’ve got to look at the positive side of things. That’ll give us encouragement.

“We noticeably tired in the second half, but we can change that to get the level of performance going for 90 minutes. There are players getting better, but I feel for the supporters because we weren’t able to score again or hang on.”

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: “Callum [McGregor ]produced a real captain’s performance and [Johnston] was outstanding when he came into the game.

“That brightness, taking people on, he can be a fantastic player for us. He’s so fast. He was excellent.”

What’s next?

Both sides return to league action on Wednesday (19:45 GMT) as St Johnstone host St Mirren, while Celtic welcome Hibernian.