Celtic return to McDiarmid Park on the back of their hard-fought Co-operative Insurance Cup triumph, looking to get back on track in the SPL following their recent Old Firm defeat. Anthony Stokes netted twice against Saints in midweek and Niall McGinn was also on target whilst completing an impressive return from injury. And with Gary Hooper also well amongst the goals since his summer arrival, the visitors should again have more than enough to complete the job, particularly if they can finally solve their recent defensive problems. The game is currently subject to a 9am pitch inspection due to extensive rain this week in the Perth area.
Vital Quotes:
“We didn`t start the game right at all and we didn`t stop the threat from the wide areas which we knew would be an issue,” manager Derek McInnes told St Johnstone’s official website after the midweek defeat to Celtic. “It took us the best part of thirty minutes to get going but when we did I thought we made a real game of it and I have to credit the players for what they put into the game. I thought we saw the real St Johnstone for the last fifteen minutes of the first half and all of the second and had the game gone another five minutes I honestly think we might have drawn level. We have to learn from that opening quarter of an hour and put what we learned into practice on Saturday.”
“I think it`s a good thing especially for the newer players,” manager Neil Lennon told Celtic’s official website ahead of a second successive visit to St Johnstone. “They know the environment now and the type of game that St Johnstone play. We played very well for a concerted period of time the other night and then individual mistakes let them back in the game. We had to defend resolutely to keep the lead so I am delighted we got through to the semi-final, but obviously we still have a bit of work to do. We will analyse the game tonight and go over where we went wrong and hopefully the players can take that on board.”
St Johnstone Team News:
Derek McInnes is expected to name a similar side from that which lost narrowly in midweek. Murray Davidson hurt his ankle but should recover in time, while Graham Gartland and Kevin Moon (both knee) and Jody Morris (rib) still remain on the sidelines.
St Johnstone (from): Smith, Maybury, Grainger, Duberry, MacKay, Craig, Davidson, Millar, Samuel, Haber, Jackson, Caddis, Parkin, Rutkiewicz, MacDonald, Enckelman, Myrie-Williams, May
Player to watch: Jennison Myrie- Williams
Made a real impact when coming on as a second-half substitute in midweek.
Celtic Team News:
Celtic have a doubt over striker Gary Hooper after he suffered a metatarsal injury in the midweek Co-operative Insurance Cup victory over the same opposition. Skipper Shaun Maloney is also still a concern following a facial wound in the recent game against Rangers. Defender Glenn Loovens’ place could now come under serious threat as a result of some indifferent performances of late.
Celtic (from): Forster, Loovens, Cha Du-Ri, Majstorovic, Izaguirre, Mulgrew, Ledley, McGinn, Ki, Rogne, Samaras, Stokes, Hooper, McCourt, Crosas, Zaluska, Juarez, Twardzik, Towell, Wilson, Maloney
Player to watch: Anthony Stokes
Two goals in midweek for the former Hibernian marksman.
Match Facts & Stats
The two teams meet for the second time in only three days after their tense Co-operative Insurance quarter-final clash at McDiarmid Park on Wednesday, in which Celtic eventually prevailed 3-2, but in the end only just.
Ref Watch:
C. Murray
Next Fixtures:
St Johnstone – Kilmarnock (H); Celtic – Aberdeen (H)