Celtic draw with St Johnstone to fall 13 points behind Rangers

Mohamed Elyounoussi rescued a point for Celtic against St Johnstone but the pressure on Neil Lennon grew as his side fell 13 points behind Rangers.

It now means Lennon’s men, who have two games in hand, have won just two of their past 12 games.

They are also winless at home since the middle of September.

Callum Davidson’s side move level on points with seventh-place Kilmarnock while Celtic have now dropped nine points in five league games.

It was a day of big numbers for Celtic as captain Scott Brown made his 600th appearance for the club, McGregor his 300th and Lennon himself marked 20 years since he first joined Celtic as a player.

But the stat that mattered most to the home side was whether they could register a win.

They set about doing that with Odsonne Edouard playing a one-two with Tom Rogic and getting away a shot that took a nick off a Saints defender before goalkeeper Zander Clark gathered.

Rogic should have hit the target with a header after Christopher Jullien nodded Ryan Christie’s free-kick back into a busy area.

Edouard did find his mark with a shot off McGregor’s through ball but Clark was well positioned to save and McGregor’s rebound effort was wayward.

St Johnstone, having travelled to Glasgow unbeaten in five league games, posed the hosts problems through a volley from May that was headed away by Nir Bitton near the goal line and another effort from the striker that fizzed across the face of goal.

Bitton tried to usher the ball over the line at a corner in the second half but Clark was alert again and the Perth side were soon in front.

Kane had replaced the injured Michael O’Halloran in the first half and he was left free to convert May’s dangerous cross after Celtic failed to clear their lines at a free-kick.

Edouard forced another save from Clark as the hosts toiled but moments later Christie’s cross was headed backwards by Elyounoussi and Celtic had a quick equaliser.

Further efforts came in from Turnbull, Christie and Elyonoussi as the home side chased victory but St Johnstone held out.

Man of the match – Zander Clark

What did we learn?

Celtic have flitted between three and four at the back this season and Lennon re-established a 3-5-2 for the visit of Saints.

Defensively, the home side did not give up as many chances as they had in recent matches but the expected width did not materialise, once again emphasising the gap left by the absent James Forrest.

Distribution was poor and creativity lacking from Celtic, which only encouraged a well-drilled St Johnstone side.

For their part, Saints were not just organised, they carried a threat even before their opener and were good value for a point. That’s now 11 games unbeaten in 90 minutes on the bounce.

What did they say?

St Johnstone manager Callum Davidson: “The players were tremendous. They worked unbelievably hard off a good shape. We had a wee bit of sustained pressure when we got the goal.

“Could we hang on for the victory? Unfortunately we didn’t but I’m really proud of my players. I’ll take the draw. It’s what we deserve with our efforts and application.”

What’s next?

Celtic complete their Europa League campaign at home to Lille on Thursday evening and host Kilmarnock in the Premiership next Sunday. St Johnstone are at home to Livingston in the league on Saturday.