Celtic pegged back by Saints

Man-of-the moment Tony Watt scored for the third consecutive game but Celtic allowed a couple more valuable league points to slip away against St Johnstone at Parkhead.

The teenager netted within six minutes of his half-time introduction to follow up recent goals against both Dundee United and Barcelona.

But Nigel Hasselbaink struck an equaliser with thirteen minutes remaining to gain some revenge for St Johnstone following their recent heavy League Cup defeat at the same venue.

The result leaves Celtic a couple of points behind Hibernian, who beat Dundee United 2-1 earlier in the day, although the Hoops still have one game in hand.

A disappointing first-half was probably to be expected following the midweek highs in the Champions League.

Saints' Frazer Wright was booked for a cynical trip on Georgios Samaras before Victor Wanyama got his header all wrong from Kris Commons' delivery towards the far post.

Commons also turned well and fired over from around twenty-five yards after Joe Ledley had already headed over.

But the introduction of Watt at the break soon found the teenager latching onto Charlie Mulgrew's long ball and forcing it past goalkeeper Alan Mannus for the lead.

Saints replied with David MacKay sending an effort across goal before his manager Steve Lomas was consigned to the stands by referee Ian Brines for constantly arguing decisions.

However, his afternoon suddenly took a turn for the better when Hasselbaink sent a low shot past Fraser Forster, who had already kept out midfielder Liam Craig.

Celtic substitute Beram Kayal lifted over at the other end and Watt headed straight at Mannus in added time as the champions were to remain frustrated.

Celtic: Forster, Matthews, Ambrose (McGeouch 84), Wilson, Mulgrew, Brown, Wanyama, Ledley (Kayal 70), Commons, Miku (Watt 46), Samaras

subs (unused): Zaluska, Lustig, McCourt, Ibrahim

Goals: Watt (51)

St Johnstone: Mannus, MacKay, Davidson, Wright, McCracken (Miller 6), Millar, Davidson, Craig, Robertson (Tade 71), Hasselbaink (Vine 84), MacLean

subs (unused): Tuffey, Caddis, Tobin, Kane

Goals: Hasselbaink (77)

Ref: Brines

Att:

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