‘Crazy’ defending cost Saints against Celtic

“Crazy” defending cost St Johnstone their unbeaten record at the weekend, according to manager Tommy Wright.

Reflecting on the 4-2 defeat to Celtic, the Perth boss wasn’t viewing the three first-half goals his team conceded in a different light.

“I have watched the game back a few times and for all Celtic’s possession, Alan Mannus only had one save to make before they scored,” Wright said.

“So I was happy with our defending until then, but it was three crazy moments where we didn’t do well enough.

“We gave the ball away cheaply and Celtic punished us for that.

“There were mistakes at all three of the goals in the first half, so we will need to make sure that doesn’t happen again.

“When you play against the better sides you get punished more for your mistakes and that’s what happened.

“But there were positives to take from the second half because I thought we were much better.

“The build-up for both the goals was good play.”

The financial boost to Saints and the other Premiership clubs (thought to be £250,000) is one reason Wright hopes to see Celtic in the draw for the Champions League group stages.

He said: “It’s important for Scottish football that Celtic get through.

“It helps the coefficient obviously but it’s just good to have a team playing at the top level in club football.

“Obviously there’s a huge financial reward for Celtic if they make it through, but there’s also a windfall for the other clubs in the league.

“We want all the Scottish teams to do well in Europe – Aberdeen were very unlucky in the Europa League and Celtic are nearly through.”

Wright added: “I think Celtic are back to the pace and tempo they played at when Lenny (Neil Lennon) was in charge.

“I think they’re definitely in a better place than they were the last two seasons.

“With and without the ball they look really good and their pressing is excellent.

“Last season when you won the ball against them they almost let you play a little bit, but there was none of that at the weekend.”

Picture: SNS. Tommy Wright says his team has to tighten up and cut out the mistakes that proved costly against Celtic.