Celtic held by Europe-chasing St Johnstone

A much-changed Celtic were held to a goalless draw by Europe-chasing St Johnstone in an entertaining match at McDiarmid Park on Friday.

The Glasgow giants, who wrapped up the Scottish Premiership title on May 2, made six changes for the match as they looked for revenge against the only side to have beaten them in the league in 2015.

However, it was St Johnstone who had the best of the chances in the first half with the Scottish champions having stand-in keeper Lukasz Zaluska to thank for keeping the score level with a host of superb saves.

James McFadden and Murray Davidson both hit the post for St Johnstone after the break and Celtic winger James Forrest incredibly fired wide with an open goal gapping as the game somehow ended goalless.

The point means Celtic hold a 15-point lead at the top of the table while St Johnstone move up into fourth spot as they chase a Europa League spot.

"I think we were far too open today. It was a game where both teams had a lot of chances and I don't like it when games are like that," Celtic manager Ronny Deila said.

"We had two good goalkeepers and some finishing that could have been better so I think a draw was okay."

St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright refused to blame bad finishing for failing to find a winner.

"I think there was some good goalkeeping, good defending in terms of clearing off the line and a bit of bad luck as we hit the post," the St Johnstone manager said.

"We created 23 attempts against the best side in the country and tonight I think we showed a side of us that often gets overlooked."

At McDiarmid Park, 17-year-old Kieran Tierney was handed his first start for Celtic as manager Deila rung the changes from Sunday's win over Aberdeen.

Zaluska was handed a rare start in goal for Celtic and he showed his worth in the 12th minute when he made a superb one-handed save to tip over a vicious strike from Davidson.

St Johnstone came even closer to finding the opener in the 22nd minute when Gary Miller's header from a corner was cleared off the line by Ambrose.

Former Celtic youth player Michael O'Halloran was then guilty of missing a header from close range after getting on the end of Steven Anderson's cross.

The home side continued to press forward and only a fine block from the legs of Zaluska then stopped O'Halloran from slotting home after the St Johnstone player had gone on a mazy run.

Celtic had their keeper to thank again in the 36th minute when he produced a fine double save to first deny Wotherspoon and then Davidson's effort on the rebound.

The Hoops were almost caught napping at the start of the second half when Anderson flashed a header wide before Zaluska stopped Tom Scobbie's headed effort.

Charlie Mulgrew, on as a second half substitute after missing the past 31 games through an ankle injury, nearly marked his return with a goal as he rose above Anderson to direct a header towards goal, but Mannus got down to make the save.

The excellent Zaluska's good night continued when he was alert enough to stop a low drive from O'Halloran after the St Johnstone forward had cut in from the left.

McFadden sent a glancing header crashing off the post before a slack back pass from Scobbie allowed Forrest clean through on goal but the Scotland winger somehow fired wide of the target after rounding Mannus.

Davidson slammed a late shot off the base of the post as St Johnstone failed to find a way past Zaluska.
Source: AFP