Celtic arrive at McDiarmid Park on 22 August 2026 having won all six of their opening matches, whereas St. Johnstone, back in the top flight after promotion, sit sixth with three points from two games. Six points separates the two sides already, with little in St. Johnstone's opening results to suggest they will cut into it quickly, though the 4-3 home win over Kilmarnock on 2 August at least confirms they are prepared to score goals at this level.
St. Johnstone have gone 3W 1D 2L across their last six matches, that Kilmarnock result the clearest indication they will go for it at home. The 0-1 loss away at St Mirren a week later was a different story entirely. Celtic's run is considerably more impressive: six wins from six, including a 5-1 dismantling of Kilmarnock, a 4-0 League Cup win over Dundee United and a 1-0 league win at Dundee.
Valakari has no reported absences, so St. Johnstone head into this with everyone available. Celtic's main concern is Alistair Johnston, who remains doubtful with an injury still being assessed in mid-August. Losing him on the right side isn't catastrophic but whoever deputises hasn't had the same run of games and that will show.
The central question is whether Celtic can break down a compact defence without becoming predictable. If they create chances early and convert, this is probably over by half time. If St. Johnstone stay disciplined and survive the opening twenty minutes, the right channel is where they will look to run in behind, Johnston's absence being the clearest invitation they have been given.
Five of the last six meetings between these sides went over 2.5 goals. Celtic have already scored multiple times from set pieces this season and will target restarts aggressively, so St. Johnstone will need to be disciplined at corners and free kicks around the box.
Celtic to win 0-2. Johnston's absence is the main variable: whoever covers that right side for Celtic hasn't had the same match sharpness and St. Johnstone will target the channel accordingly. The set piece record still points to Celtic finding two goals and with five of the last six meetings in this fixture going over 2.5 goals, Celtic have more than enough to see it out.
Ryan Baldi
Football Writer
Ryan Baldi is a professional football writer with years of experience and has been featured by respected outlets such as the BBC, The Guardian, Sky Sports, DAZN, FourFourTwo, ESPN, Yahoo Sport and Football365. He has also written several books including Arsène Who?.
