Saints boss: Forget it and focus on our fight for survival
St Johnstone manager Callum Davidson has told his players to forget about their mauling by Celtic.
Although far from happy at losing seven goals, the Perth gaffer admitted the result and performance will have no bearing on how his team’s season pans out.
The Saints had recorded two victories and a draw before travelling to Parkhead and Davidson wants to concentrate on that form.
Performing like they have in recent weeks will be crucial if they are to haul themselves out of the relegation zone.
Davidson said: “Our fight is for survival and after the split and the wee break we will be ready.
“Take away this game and we’ve been in good form, on a winning streak. We were just beaten by the better team, it’s as simple as that.
“We tried to make some changes at halftime, but it wasn’t to be.
“The scoreline is hard to take, I have to say that.
“We didn’t do the basics well and we didn’t make it difficult for Celtic.
“That said, I thought they were ruthless for 90 minutes.”
Celtic midfielder Matt O’riley came off the bench and scored two goals in three minutes.
He seemed as excited by getting the chance to play with Kyogo as bagging a brace.
It was the first time the two men had been on the field because the Japanese striker was injured when O’riley signed in January.
The former MK Dons player said: “The sharpness of his movement is not something I’ve seen before.
“He always knows where to be. There was a couple of times when I tried to thread the ball through to him and his positioning was top-class.
“It’s a joy to play with him. For a midfielder he’s the perfect person to have in front of you.”
O’riley emphasised the hunger for goals that is so strong in the Celtic ranks. He went on: “Whether it be 5-0 or 6-0, we keep pushing because goal difference can be really important come the end of the season.
“We always want to take it to the next level, so we’re never going to sit back and relax.
“We always want to keep driving for more and that’s important if we want to reach the next level.
“From the moment I came in, that was the foundation the boys had already built.
“We know we’re in the driving seat, of course, but we’re not really thinking like that.
“It’s very calm in the dressing room, nobody is really excited, which a lot of teams could be right now.
“We’re level-headed, as we have been all season, and we’ll stay like that.”