Celtic 3-1 St Johnstone: Three things we learned
By Ethan Barlow
What stood out from Celtic’s 3-1 victory over the Perth Saints?
Celtic comfortably swept aside St Johnstone to go back to the top of the Scottish Premiership. Goals from Kyogo, Nicolas Kuhn and substitute James Forrest secured the three points for the champions. Connor Smith netted the visitors’ consolation. Here are the key takeaways from Brendan Rodgers’ side's dominant performance:
Kyogo is back to his best
Kyogo showed why he remains one of the most feared forwards in the Premiership (Image: Getty Images)
The Japanese international has been a shadow of the player he was in Celtic’s previous two seasons under Ange Postecoglou. After having to play second fiddle to January signing Adam Idah, Kyogo got his first start in four matches. Kyogo scored in last week’s Scottish Cup triumph over Livingston and repaid Rodgers’ faith by opening the scoring against Craig Levein’s side.
Kyogo took his goal brilliantly heading past Dimitar Mitov after being picked out by German winger, Kuhn. Kyogo returned the favour to the January signing as he had the Bhoys two up in the opening minute of the second half. The striker’s cross from the left side gave the former Bayern Munich man an easy chance to score his first Celtic Park goal. Kyogo could have had more than one as he struck the bar and had the ball in the back of the net for a second time, but the flag was up.
Cameron Carter-Vickers the difference at the back for Celtic
Celtic looked significantly more assured with Cameron Carter-Vickers back in the side (Image: Getty Images)
There is no doubt Cameron Carter-Vickers is Celtic’s most important defender, as shown by their defensive struggles last week when he was absent through injury. On this occasion, the return of the USA international was dominant and watertight. When the former Tottenham Hotspur central defender was brought off with 15 minutes left of play, Celtic’s defensive frailties returned as St Johnstone scored to extend the home side’s run without a clean sheet to six games.
Gustaf Lagerbielke has no future in Glasgow
Summer signing Gustaf Lagerbielke’s stay in Glasgow may be short-lived (Image: Getty Images)
Rodgers’ substitutions once again proved the out-of-favour centre-half to have no future at Parkhead. The £3m summer signing has never broken into Rodgers’ team or been given an extended run of games. Despite being a Swedish international, it seems as if Rodgers would opt to play almost anyone instead of the former Elfsborg defender.
When Carter-Vickers was brought off, instead of doing a straight swap with the only central defender on the bench, Rodgers moved Tomoki Iwata from his natural pivot role to partner Stephen Welsh (he has played in central defence before). This introduced Odin Thiago Holm, who has been out with an injury. After the change was made, the Perth side scored and Rodgers reverted his decision by bringing Matt O’Riley off, for a rare appearance for the Swede.