We gave them too much space and let them play, while often failing to keep ahold of the ball. It's the same old problems again and again, and we were unwilling to have a go. Instead, we sat back and were pretty much hoping for a point from the first minute.
Gus MacPherson said a few weeks ago that he has taken a new approach this season and will pick the best team for the opposition (he tried this a few years ago as well, so it's not that new). However, having fielded the same team against Aberdeen and Kilmarnock, he went with almost exactly the same 11 players. The only change was Chris Innes replacing the suspended Lee Mair. Andy Dorman was on the bench and the new, exciting, creative era would have to wait as Allan Johnston was left out. Football Manager fans would be delighted at Celtic's inclusion of Paddy McCourt, a bargain signing for numerous teams over the years. The Celtic end looked rather odd thanks to their bizarre away kit, which was a distraction just about every time you looked towards that goal. Not nearly as bad as playing YMCA over the tannoy just before kick off though!
After a dull first quarter, McCourt produced the sort of skill that most of us have only seen in 2D form on a computer screen. After winning the ball just inside the Saints half, he waltzed his way past five players before slamming a shot past Paul Gallacher. McCourt had done a lot of work for the goal, but there were hardly any challenges as he made his way forward - only Hugh Murray doing anything of note - so it was a soft one to concede.
For once, there was a bit of the reaction MacPherson so craves, Stephen McGinn producing a good free-kick (yes, we can occasionally do them) that John Potter almost got something on, before Billy Mehmet headed Jack Ross' cross well wide. A slightly more typical Saints' free-kick nearly gifted Celtic a second goal. Garry Brady tried to play it short to Jack Ross and succeeded only in picking out a Celtic defender. He quickly gave it to Shaun Maloney and we were quickly caught on the brake. Maloney switched it over to McCourt, who was unmarked, and his cross-come-shot was fisted away by Galacher. The loose ball then fell to Andreas Hinkel, who switched the ball onto his left foot then let fly with a rather good effort for a fullback that Gallacher managed to keep out.
We were then treated to the usual officiating nonsense we get against the Old Firm. The aforementioned free-kick had seen Dargo flattened by McManus, who escaped a booking. Scott Brown tussled with Hugh Murray and escaped a booking. Steven Thomson impeded Maloney - and was booked. Right. In between, Mehmet had almost equalised, his shot deflected wide by Glenn Loovens. Brown got his reward in the second half, getting booked for a tackle on Thomson that wasn't as bad as McManus' on Dargo! Two more players got themselves booked for some amusing handbags in front of the Saints fans, Chris Killen and John Potter the offenders. Killen was immediately replaced with Georgios Samaras, while Brady got the hook and Dorman was introduced in his place. Another change followed soon after, Hugh Murray - who was rather poor - being taken off and Tom Brighton coming on in his place.
Dorman headed tamely into Artur Boruc's grasp as the Pole was finally given something to do. We nearly had a goal at either end in the space of a minute after that one. Samaras - who looked offside - fired over (although it looked as if Gallacher got a touch) before Mehmet and Dorman combined to present Dargo with a great chance that Loovens just managed to block. Sadly, it was as near as we would get to equalising. With just over 10 minutes remaining, Maloney burst forward and had his shot palmed away by Gallacher. However, it fell to Niall McGinn - on for McCourt - and when his cross was missed by McDonald it went back to Maloney and he stroked it into the far corner. Except, the shot had clipped McDonald's head - and he was offside. The Saints team were furious at the decision to allow the goal to stand, but what else do you expect against the Old Firm?
We were then treated to another bizarre Gus substitution. You're two goals down at home, so what do you do? Replace one big striker with another. Sure enough, Mehmet came off and Michael Higdon came on. The officials continued to show their interesting interpretation of the offside rule when McDonald appeared miles off and was allowed to shoot wide.
Let's not let the officials disguise what was a poor Saints performance. I won't bang on about our lack of pace, width etc as I've done that enough. However, we were far, far too willing to sit off their players and we are completely unwilling to shoot. We also pass the ball about far too much. Celtic were there for the taking today and we messed it up. Things need to improve or it's going to be the story of our season.