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Henrik Larsson netted in injury time to spare Celtic's blushes and earn them a 2-1 victory over St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park. The Bhoys' breathtaking 4-3 victory over Juventus and a mouthwatering draw with Valencia should have ignited their desire against Billy Stark's men. But the fire and hunger were lacking and even though Darren Dods gifted them the lead, the St Johnstone defender made amends to give the Perth side hope of fighting off relegation. But for the second time in a week Celtic produced a last-minute winner to leave the Perth side devastated and give arch rivals Rangers little encouragement in the fight for the title. In the first minute Tommy Lovenkrands charged down an intended clearance from Didier Agathe and went on the outside of captain Johan Mjallby before firing into the side-netting. A minute later and the Danish winger did well again to get to the byline and cross, but goalkeeper Robert Douglas dived to save with Keigan Parker lurking with intent at the back post. Celtic were struggling to get their game going in the opening exchanges and it was the home side that looked the more likely to create a decent chance. Paddy Connolly almost sent Lynch clear through on goal in the 16th minute, but Joos Valgaeren read the situation and stepped in to intercept his pass and save Celtic. Stark was forced to change his plans two minutes later when Parker had to come off through injury and he was replaced by Rachid Djebaili. But the home side were a goal down in the 19th minute when Mjallby found Petrov and his cross was needlessly headed into his goal by Darren Dods. But the Saints refused to lie down and Sutton's outstretched boot diverted Lovenkrands' dangerous cross just wide. But from the resulting corner the home side were on level terms with Dods making amends for his earlier blunder. The defender got up in the Celtic box to head Paul Hartley's cross goalward and despite getting a hand to it Douglas was unable to keep the ball from crossing the line. The game finally came to life and three minutes later Thompson hit a left-foot free-kick agonisingly past the post after Falconer had brought down Petrov .Celtic almost regained the lead thee minutes before the interval when Hartson headed down Thompson's free-kick, but Larsson was just unable to bundle the ball home. Hartson was then guilty of squandering a great chance when Petrov pulled the ball back into his path, but the Welshman swiped at fresh air and the opportunity was lost. Saints keeper Alan Miller then had to save from Mjallby after exchanging passes with Larsson on the edge of the box. The home side should have been in front in the 54th minute after creating a glorious chance. Connolly found Grant Murray down the right flank and his cross was perfect for Hartley, but the midfielder did not get a clean contact on the ball and it went aimlessly wide. But St Johnstone were also striving for the winner and Valgaeren had to cut out Hartley's cross in the 75th minute. Lovenkrands was then presented with a wonderful chance to score in the 80th minute after Hartley's pass, but he pulled his effort just wide of the post. Former Rangers striker Peter MacDonald replaced Connolly and Lambert came on for Petta as both managers went in search of the winner. Hartson was then booked for dissent, but Celtic looked the most likely to score late on. Falconer needed to block the Welshman's goalbound drive in the 86th minute as the home side tried to hang on. But a minute into injury time Celtic, for the second time in a week, pinched the points as Larsson stepped up to send a right-foot curling free-kick into the top corner of the net. CELTIC (3-5-2): Douglas; Valgaeren, Sutton, Mjallby; Petta (Lambert 80), Thompson (Maloney 64), Lambert, Lennon, Moravcik; Hartson, Larsson. ST JOHNSTONE (3-5-2): Miller; Falconer, Kemble, Dods; Lovenkrands, Dasovic, Hartley, Lynch, Murray; Parker (Djebaili 17), Connolly (MacDonald 80). |