Heartache for Perth faithful as Celts sneak it at the end Saints’cup dreams are ended by late free-kick
ST JOHNSTONE ....................................... 0 CELTIC ......................................................... 1
Excitable chatter could be heard in the Main Stand as home supporters tucked into their half-time snacks.
They had, in recent times, rarely watched their favourites remain in contention heading into the second half against the power and craft of champions Celtic.
But there was real reason for optimism that the unthinkable was possible and that St Johnstone could indeed send shockwaves across the country by knocking out the holders to tee-up a realistic chance of more memorable silverware.
Ultimately it was not to be, despite players representing the badge in honourable fashion and leaving every ounce of energy they had on the field of play. Those efforts were certainly appreciated at full-time when Perth fans rose to their feet to passionately applaud the performance.
Certain reports in the immediate aftermath of the game claimed Saints had been “pummelled” but that was wide of the mark and, in fact, Celtic would have had few complaints if this quarter-final fixture had required a replay.
The deciding moment arrived with only nine minutes remaining when Ryan Christie’s free-kick from the right flank evaded everyone in the box to drop in at the far corner of the net. And that was so hard to take for skipper Jason Kerr.
He was always going to be a busy man but, alongside Jamie McCart and Liam Gordon,