Chris Sutton saluted Celtic for showing the character of champions to progress into the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup.
Three days after being knocked out of the Europa League Neil Lennon’s side put their defence of the Scottish Cup on the line at McDiarmid Park on a pitch that looked like a throwback to the mud-baths of the seventies.
The hoops boss made three changes to the side that lost to Copenhagen but even with Leigh Griffiths joining Odsonne Edouard in attack the first half was an evenly contested affair against in form St Johnstone.
Celtic grind it out and showed plenty of character … good response after the disappointment of Thursday night… fair play to St Johnstone who pushed them all the way??
— Chris Sutton (@chris_sutton73) March 1, 2020
As the clock ticked away through the second half Celtic stepped up the pressure but St Johnstone’s back three defended for their lifes’ with Zander Clark alert every time he was called upon.
Ten minutes from the final whistle the breakthrough came when a Ryan Christie free kick crept in at the far post with Chris Jullien menacing the Saints defence.
After the final whistle Celtic were drawn against Aberdeen with the Dons trying again to stop Celtic from their unprecedented run of domestic trophy collecting.
? Celtic manager Neil Lennon gives his thoughts on his team's performance, and the semi-final draw against Aberdeen
? "It doesn't matter who you get drawn against, you've got to win it to get to the final. So we'll be, hopefully, at full throttle by then." pic.twitter.com/KihfyUnjOo
— Premier Sports ? (@PremierSportsTV) March 1, 2020
? CELTIC GET THE BREAKTHROUGH!
? Jullien gets across the front of the defence, and Christie's free kick delivery finds its way through into the bottom corner
? Neil Lennon won't be too worried about who got the final touch! pic.twitter.com/AWS1iXmnHs
— Premier Sports ? (@PremierSportsTV) March 1, 2020