[monks data]

Scottish Premiership

Mar 4, 2015 at 7.45pm UK

Celtic
0-1
St Johnstone

FT(HT: 0-0)

Swanson (54')

Danny Swanson effort sends Celtic to surprise defeat at home to St Johnstone

By Christopher Dodd, Reporter | 04 March 2015

Danny Swanson's standout second-half effort gives St Johnstone a surprising 1-0 victory over hosts Celtic in the Scottish Premiership.

Danny Swanson's standout effort gave St Johnstone a surprise 1-0 victory over hosts Celtic in the Scottish Premiership this evening.

The visitors sought to test their own shooting boots when Steven MacLean sized up a shot from distance, only to see his effort fly high and wide of the Celtic goal.

The hosts almost went in front after 10 minutes when Gary Mackay-Steven let fly from range, with his standout shot being saved by an equally good attempt from Mannus at his top-right corner.

Celtic peppered Mannus from distance and he was forced to make another strong save to deny Stuart Armstrong, who struck with his right towards the bottom-left corner.

The Saints failed to muster many clear-cut chances and they had to rely on attempts from distance as David Wotherspoon shot straight at Craig Gordon, leaving the sides to go into the interval on level terms.

In a game full of long-distance efforts, it was the away side who were to take the lead and it came through Swanson, the midfielder taking aim to rifle a standout strike past a helpless Gordon.

Ronny Deila thought that his side had drawn level in the 70th minute, only for Efe Ambrose to see his close-range header clawed out from the bottom corner by Mannus.