ST JOHNSTONE 0 CELTIC 6: KYOGO STARS IN JOY OF SIX
ST JOHNSTONE 0 CELTIC 6 Celtic delivered a stunning performance against St Johnstone, securing a decisive victory with a score of 6-0. The match showcased Celtic's dominance as they overwhelmed their opponent, demonstrating both skill and teamwork throughout the game. St Johnstone struggled to keep up with Celtic's relentless attack, leading to a one-sided contest that ended in a resounding win for the visitors.
KYOGO FURUHASHI shattered his away game struggles as Celtic dominated St Johnstone with a stunning six-goal victory at McDiarmid Park this evening.
The Japanese forward had not found the back of the net in an away league match since he scored during the champions' 4-1 victory against Hearts at Tynecastle on October 22 of the previous year.
In just the first 10 minutes of the first half in Perth, Kyogo managed to score two impressive goals past Ross Sinclair, regaining his form.
It was a festive evening for the champions, with Paulo Bernardo, Callum McGregor, Daizen Maeda, and Adam Idah all contributing goals to keep their perfect record intact as they began the season.
THE BEGINNING OF A SCORING STREAK…Kyogo Furuhashi appears delighted following his first goal.
Kyogo finally found the net in the 35th minute, putting an end to the stalemate against a tenacious Saints team, and it definitely made the wait worthwhile.
In this match, Liam Scales dominated nearly every aerial duel. He headed a long clearance from the home team's defense to Maeda, whose flicked pass to Kyogo was deflected to Nicolas Kuhn instead.
The on-fire German winger flicked the ball ahead, and the speedy forward sprinted away, easily outpacing the defenders from Perth.
Kyogo displayed impressive calmness as he coolly placed a powerful right-foot shot past the oncoming goalkeeper.
Just before halftime, he scored again, this time with a flawless header from 10 yards out after an impressive team play from the Hoops that left their rivals struggling to keep up.
Before the ball was sent back to Greg Taylor, Alistair Johnston, Kuhn, and Maeda played a part in the buildup. The left-back delivered a beautiful cross, and Kyogo made his move at just the right moment to power a header into the welcoming net.
HAPPY FANS... Arne Engels and Kyogo Furuhashi share in the excitement after one of the goals scored by the Japanese forward.
The VAR reviewed the goal for any offside, but it was deemed valid, allowing the forward to celebrate once more with his teammates.
During Kyogo's counter-attacks, Bernardo made a stunning contribution with a clever curling shot from outside the penalty area with his right foot in the 43rd minute.
Once again, the guests showcased some captivating one-touch soccer, skillfully advancing the ball as McGregor sent a pass to Johnston, who then relayed it to Kuhn.
Kyogo sent a high ball into the path of the Portuguese playmaker, who coolly struck a low shot that went past Sinclair and just outside the left post.
In the 26th minute, Celtic thought they had scored when Maeda struck the ball beautifully into the net, sending it soaring over the goalkeeper. However, VAR, overseen by Alan Muir, instructed the referee Don Robertson to review a related play that occurred before the goal.
He looked at the touchline monitor and overturned the decision after concluding that Auston Trusty had committed a foul on Graham Carey, just before Kuhn sent Arne Engels’ clever free-kick into the penalty area.
JOYFUL MOMENTS…Paulo Bernardo and Daizen Maeda share a celebration after the stunning goal by the Portuguese star.
It appeared to be a total mishap, yet astonishingly, the goal was disallowed.
Celtic resumed play after halftime, bringing in Barcelona's Alex Valle to take over the No. 3 position from Taylor.
The second half became a relentless attack on Sinclair’s goal, with Scotland’s champions keeping up an intense pace.
Just nine minutes after the team switched things up, McGregor netted another incredible goal, thanks to Kuhn's assist that came right after a quick corner taken by Engels from the right side.
The captain was spotted hovering menacingly about 25 yards away, and he unleashed a powerful low shot with his left foot that zipped past the surprised goalkeeper, leaving him frozen and confused by the attack.
In the 66th minute, Brendan Rodgers finally made the changes everyone was expecting, bringing on Reo Hatate, James Forrest, and Adam Idah in place of Engels, Kuhn, and Kyogo.
The fifth goal came in the 72nd minute when Bernardo sent a perfectly placed diagonal pass into the penalty area. Maeda made a remarkable dive, powering a header into the top corner of the net from eight yards out.
Three minutes later, Luke McCowan stepped onto the field to replace skipper McGregor, who left to thunderous applause from the Celtic supporters.
The thrilling match concluded with an impressive six-goal display, highlighted by a beautifully crafted goal where Valle and McCowan executed a perfectly timed one-two pass.
THUNDEROUS ACHIEVEMENT… Callum McGregor celebrates after scoring yet another remarkable goal.
The Spanish player sprinted into the penalty area, narrowly avoiding being caught offside, and cleverly used a backheel to pass the ball to Idah, who calmly slotted in the sixth goal past the busy Sinclair.
McCowan missed out on his seventh goal when his low shot, which had the power of a whip, was barely deflected by the diving goalkeeper, hitting the inside of the left post.
The ball bounced back to the former Dundee captain, who took another shot, but Sinclair was there to deflect it once again.
Now, it's time to take on Borussia in Dortmund this Tuesday!
Here’s the revised version: **TEAM:** Schmeichel; Johnston, Trusty, Scales, Taylor (substituted for Valle at 46); Engels (substituted for Hatate at 66), McGregor (substituted for McCowan at 75), Bernardo; Kuhn (substituted for Forrest at 66), Kyogo (substituted for Idah at 66), Maeda.
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