Bhoys Prepared For Saints Visit

Bhoys Prepared For Saints Visit
~~~~ Official TC Match Preview ~~~~


Hoop Heroes Kyogo & Jota combined for a superb goal in midweek


Saturday, 23 October 2021
15.00 BST
Celtic Park

Celtic welcome the visit of St Johnstone to Parkhead tomorrow in a return to league action, looking to continue the run of results that has helped the Bhoys climb the table, as they seemingly once again hit their stride.

Tuesday's 2-0 victory over Ferencvaros was essential for the Hoops' Euro ambitions but this weekend it is all about the league, and picking up three valuable points will be all that matters.

The Hoops will be going into the match on the back of three consecutive wins, including back to back away day league successes over Aberdeen and Motherwell, and will be looking to extend that run with another against the Saints.

Meanwhile, the Perth club will be looking to bounce back after a 3-0 defeat at home to Livingston last weekend, and Callum Davidson, has stressed the importance of a good start for his side, as the Saints' boss had been in attendance for the Ferencvaros match to scout the Bhoys in action, earlier this week.

But one of the most impressive aspects of that match was the patience that Celtic displayed and didn't panic at any stage, while continuing to probe and press throughout against the Hungarian champions. And while the final score was 2-0, it could - and probably should - have been even more emphatic than that scoreline reflects.

Thankfully it appears as though the Hoops are slowly emerging from under the injury cloud that had been severely limiting the options, especially in attack, for manager Ange Postecoglou, with the likes of Giorgos Giakoumakis and Mikey Johnston coming off the bench and beginning to make an impact, as the pair quickly appear to be adapting to the Australian's philosophy.


Cameron Carter-Vickers & Carl Starfelt work together to stifle Ferencvaros' Ryan Mmaee

And every bit as important was that the Bhoys have also now managed to secure back to back clean sheets. Even if noone is under the illusion that this has been entirely sorted out, it is an encouraging step in the right direction and can only further help breed confidence in the team.

Indeed, if the Bhoys can register another clean sheet tomorrow it will be the first time this season that the defence has not been breached in three consecutive games.

And the Celtic boss has spoken about this recently, admitting that both Carl Starfelt and Cameron Carter-Vickers were thrown in at the deep end upon their respective arrivals, before going on to expand about how they have continued to learn and adapt, in what is a challenging requirements of the role and how it fits in with the 'Angeball' style , especially in regards to what is needed of his central defenders in this system.

"The key for both of them is that they want to learn. They want to develop, they want to improve every week. They’re coming in, sitting down with coaches doing the analysis and I think they’re getting confidence from that.

"The way we play is not easy for any centre-backs. We ask a lot of our centre-backs. We ask them to play out from the back and then we’re asking them to squeeze up and be aggressive with our defending. It’s a lot easier to play centre-back in other teams I can guarantee you, but they have tackled it and we know there is more to come.

“We’ve shown faith in them and I’ve said to them all along, ‘whatever happens out there, if it doesn’t work, I’m accountable for it, not them’.

What’s important for me is that they are continually looking to learn and understand how we want to play our football. If I saw that, then I would keep encouraging them, and that’s been happening.”​

Team News


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There is a possibility of a few additions to the squad for Saturday's match, with Boli Bolingoli-Mbombo eligible once again after missing out in midweek, while fellow fullback Josip Juranovic was spotted taking part in full training sessions, which could be an indication that he is close to being ready once again after being sidelined with a hamstring strain he picked up last month.

Unfortunately, Karamoko Dembélé posted on Instagram on Thursday that he has had to once again undergo surgery on his ankle, which means a further extended delay to his return.

Christopher Julien, James Forrest and Greg Taylor all continue to be sidelined for the time being, even if they are getting that little bit closer to being available, hopefully sooner rather than later.

As for the visitors, influential midfielders Murray Davidson and Craig Bryson are both once again available and a possible return to the starting lineup. Both were named on the bench last weekend, from which Davidson featured briefly, however Bryson, who picked up a niggling medial ligament injury during pre-season, remained unused and has not featured in domestic action for the Saints since the Scottish Cup Final in May.

~~~~ Head to Head ~~~~

Overall
P: 148 W: 95 D: 32 L: 21

Home v St Johnstone
P: 73 W: 52 D: 16 L: 5

Last 5 Meetings
WWDWW

Home v St Johnstone
WDWWW

~~~~ 2021/22 Form ~~~~

Overall
WWWLD ~ LWLWW

SPFL
WWDLW ~ LWLWL

CEL Home - STJ Away
WDWLL ~ LWWDD​