Celtic joy following frenzied end-game
CELTIC boss Ange Postecoglou believes the manner of his side’s last-gasp victory in Perth can give them confidence.
The Cinch Premiership leaders looked like dropping points on the road for a second league game running when St Johnstone defender Alex Mitchell levelled three minutes into stoppage-time.
But Giorgos Giakoumakis turned home Alexandro Bernabei’s cross from close range two minutes later to seal a dramatic 2-1 win.
Celtic had several chances to add to the lead given to them by Andrew Considine’s 42nd-minute own goal but Saints came into the game as an attacking force in the final quarter.
‘It’s a game we probably should have put to bed a little earlier with the chances we had. At 1-0 you always know it’s going to be on a knife edge. They are a team that lump balls into the box and you have to defend sometimes,’ Postecoglou said. ‘They obviously got the goal late but, again, great character and
resilience by the lads. We did that a few times last year and we are going to have to show that again this year.
‘You can win a game of football many ways but winning it this way also provides some confidence in the fact that we still have that character and resilience in the group.’
Saints manager Callum Davidson admitted he dared not celebrate after Mitchell equalised but he still could not believe the circumstances which led to the winner.
Wing-back Drey Wright rolled his ankle as he was about to receive a pass and James McCarthy nipped in to send Bernabei down the left wing.
Davidson said: ‘I actually didn’t celebrate the goal because we still had two minutes to go. I was actually surprised Mitch scored, it’s the first time he has hit the target in training and a game.
‘I am gutted for the lads we couldn’t get something from the game because I thought we definitely deserved it.
‘The last couple of minutes we have to defend better.
‘I will take that type of performance against the Old Firm and the energy levels, commitment and desire to get something from the game but I am really annoyed at how we lost the second goal.’