Our prediction for this Scottish Premiership match:
Celtic
Match Time & Date:
26/08/2023
16:00
Prediction: 4-1
St Johnstone
Celtic will look to retain top position in the standings when they take on St Johnstone in the Premiership round 3. The Hoops suffered a shocking 1-0 loss to Kilmarnock in the League Cup last 16, meaning that they will be fully focused on the national championship in upcoming weeks. Even though the likes of Hyeon-gyu Oh, Yuki Kobayashi, Marco Tilio, and Alistair Johnston have been struggling with injuries of late, home win should be considered.
The Saints, on the other hand, are on a four-game losing run in all competitions and given their difficulties in front of goal, anything but a routine home victory would be a major surprise. David faces Goliath in Glasgow as Celtic emerged triumphant in each of their last eight meetings in the Scottish top flight. The likes of James Brown, Drey Wright, Alistair Crawford, Cameron MacPherson, Chris Kane, Callum Booth, and Nicky Clark are out of contention through injuries, speaking of the visiting team.
Highlighted Player (Joe Hart):
Joe Hart is an English goalkeeper who was born on 19 April, 1987. Following a three-year spell with Shrewsbury Town, Hart joined big-spending Manchester City in 2006. After ending his loan spell with with Birmingham City (2010), he returned to Man City and he has been playing for the Etihad Stadium outfit ever since.
Joe Hart earned his 63rd cap for England at the Euro 2016 finals, but he has yet to win a trophy at the major tournaments with the Three Lions. On the other hand, the 29-year-old goalkeeper has clinched two Premier League trophies with Manchester City (2011/2012, 2013/2014) and the FA Cup title in 2011.
Speaking of his individual honours, Joe Hart has won the Premier League Golden Glove award on four occasions (2010/2011, 2011/2012, 2012/2013, 2014/2015). Hart made his England debut against Trinidad & Tobago on 1 June, 2008. It has to be noted that he managed to keep a clean sheet on his debut for the English national team.
Highlighted Team (St Johnstone):
Founded back in 1884, St. Johnstone are Scottish football club that welcome their rivals at McDiarmid Park. The venue, which was opened in August 1989, can hold up to 10,696 spectators. Blue and white are the dominant colours of St Johnstone’s home kit, whereas they wear yellow shirts and white shorts when playing on the road.
The club’s biggest success came in the 2013/2014 season when they defeated Dundee United 2-0 in the Scottish Cup final. Steven Anderson and Steven MacLean scored for the Saints in the match played at Celtic Park, Glasgow. Dundee and Dundee United are the club’s traditional rivals, with the teams facing in the Tayside derbies.
The likes of John Brogan, Joe Carr, Willie Coburn, Roddy Grant, and Henry Hall are the first five members of St Johnston “Hall of Fame.” The Saints recorded their biggest win against Tulloch (13-0) in September 1887, with the team suffering their heaviest defeat to Montrose (11-1) in April 1893.
