Keep On Rollin': A Celtic-St Johnstone Match Report

Saturday May 8th: Scottish Premiership; Celtic 4 (Roberts 47' 62', Boyata 52', McGregor 71') St Johnstone 1 (Maclean 49')

Celtic moved to within three games of an unbeaten league season with a comfortable victory over St Johnstone.

As expected Brendan Rodgers made changes, with the big news being that youngsters Anthony Ralston and Michael Johnston were handed their first team debuts. There also starts for Bitton and Rogic.

The game began with a bang, as Rogic forced Clark into a save in the first minute. Rogic was all over the game in the early stages, and not long after forced Clark into another save. Celtic's best chance in the first half fell to Kieran Tierney, who cut inside and hit a shot just past the post. The best chance of the first half went to St Johnstone, as Alston had a chance at the back post but skied his shot over the bar.

0-0 at half-time, but it was all change in the second half, with three goals in the spell of five minutes. Firstly, Patrick Roberts gave Celtic the lead in the 47th minute, arrowing a fine shot into the corner of the net (1-0). Two minutes later it was 1-1, as Maclean equalised following a goalmouth scramble after Gordon had pulled off a great save from his initial header. The third goal in this sequence put Celtic back into the lead, as Dedryck Boyota powered home a header from a Roberts corner (2-1).

Celtic increased our lead ten minutes later, with a fine team goal. Griffiths' shot was saved by Clark, Sinclair cut back the rebound and Roberts found the net for his second of the game (3-1).

The fourth Celtic goal was a third in three weeks for substitute Callum McGregor, who beat two men and placed the ball into the net (4-1). Despite a couple of near things towards the end of the game, the match finished 4-1.

Brendan Rodgers will be thrilled with this performance in what was a 'meaningless' game. The debut Bhoys Ralston and Johnston - who signed a new contract after the game - didn't look out of place in the team, which is a tribute to how good they were. Patrick Roberts was very good once again, and he seems a cert to start in the Scottish Cup Final. It's Pittodrie next Friday as the Celtic bandwagon rolls on and on.