Tony Watt’s fifth SPL goal of the season was the only highlight in Celtic’s 1-1 home draw with St Johnstone.
Once again after the excitement of the Champions League Neil Lennon’s side were unable to overcome domestic opposition.
Following the 2-1 defeat in the Nou Camp Lennon made six changes to the side that faced Kilmarnock but that freshness failed to provide a result.
Scott Brown for Mikael Lustig was the only change against St Johnstone but it was evident from early in the second half that some players were running on empty.
“We’ve played considerably more games than any other team in the league,” Lennon said explaining his side’s disappointing SPL form. “We had half a day to prepare for this game.
“As the match wore on I’d like to have made six changes if I could have because the players were feeling it. They were cramping up, they were stiff and sore.
“I understand that but the disappointing thing for me is that we got the goal and we have conceded a lead again.
“We didn’t work the goalkeeper enough but you have to give St Johnstone credit too. There was a flatness about us, a lethargy, but that’s just the games catching up.”
Lennon’s squad will now head off on international duty before getting together for Saturday’s lunchtime match at Aberdeen.
Efe Ambrose and Miku will be the furthest flung players meeting up in Miami for a friendly between Nigeria and Venezuela before racing against the clock to be back in time for the trip to Aberdeen.
Closer to home Celtic’s u-20 side are in action against Dundee tonight at Dens Park with a 7pm kick-off.
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We have already seen the same scenario before in previous games. No point saying he would like to make 6 changes when the game is well under way.
Even allowing for injuries, we could / should be able to field a team capable of performing much better and getting a result against SPL opposition.
I was surprised by Neil’s choice of team. Why didn’t he rest 6 or 7 of them. Watt, Ibrahim, McCourt, Toshney, Chalmers, McGeogh, Twardzik could have started, if they are all fit.Andre Blackman is back from Inverness he could have replaced Matthews who ran himself into the ground on Wednesday, as did Ledley.
If the guys mentioned above are not good enough then why are they at Celtic Park. It was a home game against St. Johnstone. The above players should be able to get a good result. There are other players in the U20s and U19s that we need to give a chance to.Some are the same age or just a wee bit younger than those in the first team.
It is quite possible that Celtic could lose between 6 and 8 of the players who played against Barcelona in the next 2 or 3 years. We need to be finding out now who is good enough from within to replace them. We will only find out by giving them a chance in real games. So what if they get beat? If they are struggling by half time Neil can replace them with the more experienced players who can be named as subs. But there appears to be little point in playing half-fit or knackered players. Give the second team a chance in these games.
Agreed. We have nothing to lose. We’re losing points anyway!