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The Celtic fans were in good cheer after the unfurling of the league flag and Martin O'Neill, deservedly got the bulk of the applause. The team had a comfortable victory against St Johnstone, who offered little more than dogged defending. The exception was Silla who caused the Celtic defence a couple of problems in the first half, testing Douglas with a speculative shot, then trying to lob him from distance. He then got on the end of a cross ball and Valgaeren's knee kept the ball out before bouncing harmlessly to Douglas. Celtic started off more brightly with a Mjallby header which went wide on 2 minutes. Alan Main had to save a shot from Larsson a minute later. In 19 minutes Lennon had a chance after good lead up work from Larsson and Sutton but the ball was too close to the goalkeeper and the chance came to nothing. Another save was to follow from Larsson after Lennon put him through. Big Mjallby got forward on 28 mins to support Larsson. A 1-2 saw Johann through on goal. He shot into the side netting with the cross looking the better option. Sutton had a shot that tested Main on 28 minutes but the breakthrough didn't come till 9 minutes later. A corner was swept from right to left to Petta, who had been threatening down the left but had been continually forced inside. This time he beat the defender on the outside and his cross was met perfectly by Mjallby to put the Celts ahead. Alan Thomson got in some shooting practice 3 minutes before half time, but his left foot curler was a fraction wide. St Johnstone were really up against it in the second half and when Henrik collected the ball and beat 2 men, we expected to see the net bulge. However the ball went by the far post. Paul Lambert was to be the man of the match by virtue of 2 great goals. The first, on 64 minutes came after a back heel by McBride was intercepted. A 1-2 with Larsson gave Paul the chance to stick the ball under the goalie with his left foot. 8 minutes later, Agathe, cleverly picked out Lambert with a throw. Paul took it on his chest, let it bounce then sent a rocket in to the top of the net. Larsson was looking particulary sharp, Lennon was commendable in supporting the defence and snuffing out any St Johnstone moves. Mjallby and Lambert were immense and the 3 subs who came on together looked quite lively. Tebily and Agathe were posted missing for one St Johnstone attack but apart from that were quite sound. A promising start. Teams: Celtic: Douglas, Valgaeren, Tebily, Mjallby (McNamara 79), Agathe (Moravcik 79), Lennon, Lambert, Thompson (Crainey 78), Petta, Larsson, Sutton. Subs not used: Maloney, Kharine. Goals: Mjallby 37, Lambert 64, 72. St Johnstone: Main, Dods, Kemble, Forsyth, Hartley, Kane, Murray, McBride (Connolly 73), Sylla, Lovenkrands, Parker (Djebaili 66). Subs not used: McCulloch, Kernaghan, Cuthbert. |