St Johnstone suffered a heavy defeat against Celtic, with Matt Smith expressing disappointment at the manner in which his team gifted goals to the Scottish Premiership leaders. Despite acknowledging Celtic’s strength as a “very good team,” Smith emphasized that the high margin loss was frustrating and painful for St Johnstone, especially in front of their own supporters.
Celtic’s dominance was evident as they netted six goals without any reply, maintaining their unbeaten record and clean sheet streak. Smith recognized the formidable force of Brendan Rodgers’ team and credited their ruthlessness in front of goal. However, he stressed that St Johnstone should not be conceding such a high number of goals, highlighting the need to avoid defensive lapses against top-quality opposition like Celtic.
Reflecting on the match in Perth, Smith expressed his disappointment at the 6-0 defeat, emphasizing the frustration of losing by such a large margin regardless of the opponent. He acknowledged Celtic’s quality but emphasized that some of the goals conceded were preventable, indicating a need for improvement in the team’s defensive organization and concentration.
As St Johnstone continues to search for a new manager following Craig Levein’s dismissal, Smith viewed the situation as a learning curve for the players. With uncertainty surrounding the future leadership of the team, Smith emphasized the players’ responsibility to take accountability and strive for improvement, particularly in defensive aspects such as tracking runners and basic defending principles.
Looking ahead to the upcoming fixture against an improved Rangers side at Ibrox, Smith recognized the challenge posed by the match but remained hopeful of a positive result if St Johnstone approaches the game with the right mentality. He emphasized the importance of not dwelling on the previous defeat and maintaining high spirits to compete effectively against tough opposition.
Subheadings:
Defensive Lapses Cost St Johnstone Learning Curve Amid Managerial Changes Positive Mindset Key for Rangers Clash
Positive Mindset Key for Rangers Clash
In conclusion, St Johnstone’s heavy defeat against Celtic highlighted the need for defensive improvement and mental resilience in the face of challenging circumstances. As the team navigates managerial changes and prepares for tough fixtures, the players must take accountability and strive for better performances to achieve their goals in the competitive Scottish Premiership.