Brendan Rodgers had to control his anger after William Hill Premiership leaders Celtic suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to bottom side St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park.
Defender Daniels Balodis scored the only goal of the game after four minutes before the visitors dominated for the rest of the game but were denied by Simo Valakari’s side, whose keeper Andy Fisher made some vital saves.
It was the Perth side’s first win in 32 games against the Hoops going back to 2016 and they moved five points behind second-bottom Dundee with six fixtures remaining.
That winning feeling 💙
Thank you for your support 🙌#SJFC pic.twitter.com/JxWIZcWJJh
— St. Johnstone FC (@StJohnstone) April 6, 2025
Celtic are still 13 points ahead of Rangers, still on course for the title and have their chance for revenge when they face St Johnstone in the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden Park in a fortnight.
However, Rodgers was not impressed by that his side served up and will address slow starts in the summer while stressing there was still work to be done this season.
He said: “Bitterly disappointing. It’s a huge credit to St Johnstone and congratulations to them. For us, poor start to the game, but not the first time and this is something for me that we will look at, certainly in the summer.
“But the start was really poor, it was soft, it was too comfortable in the game. We go behind and then obviously we are much better in the second half.
“There’s definitely anger. I’m trying to control it.
“And listen, I look at my own self first and foremost. I’m proud of my career and how I teach players and how I inspire them and how I motivate them.
“Am I doing the very best job I possibly can to inspire these and motivate these to get over the line? So that’s my first look.
“But I just think there’s a comfort there I don’t like. And it doesn’t matter if you’re 13 points or three points ahead. It’s not enough. We have to be much better than where we were in our ambition in the game.
“Ambition and desire come from within.
“My intention is to sprint over the line. And I’ve done that before and I know what it looks like.
“But I don’t like that side of it in this team. Because for Celtic, it’s winning in the best way you possibly can. Not just chugging your way over the line.
“So we have no excuses. It’s not about tiredness. It’s not about the pitch. St Johnstone have done great. They deserve a huge amount of credit.
“My concern is for Celtic and for the ambition of the team and the mentality and the progress of the team. Then these are interesting games for me to analyse.”
After such a tense afternoon where his side upset the odds, Valakari had perhaps an unusual take on things, saying: “It was fun – a real fun experience.
“Nothing has changed, we needed the points especially after the results yesterday.
“We can’t do anything about that, we just went out today knowing we had to get something to make sure we give ourselves a chance.
“In a relegation battle you need these results, winning games nobody expects you to.
“We said it before the game among ourselves, football is crazy sometimes. We needed something unexpected to happen and it happened today.”
[(Shimizu S-Pulse) Weakness]: 1. Shimizu S-Pulse are 13th in the J1 League table. Facing 2nd-placed Kashima Antlers, they will find it hard to win this match due to their declining form, indicating doubtful motivation.2. Shimizu S-Pulse defender Yuji Takahashi and forward Sena Saito will miss this league game due to injuries.3. Shimizu S-Pulse were winless with 2 draws and 3 losses in the last 5 g...
Liverpool table fresh Guehi bidAccording to The Athletic, Liverpool have submitted a fresh bid worth £35 million ($47m) to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. The Reds had earlier seen two bids rejected by the Eagles, but they remain hopeful that this time the offer will be accepted.Fenerbahce eyeing move for EdersonTurkish Super Lig giants Fenerbahce are eyeing a move for out-of-favour Manc...
Roma medical for Liverpool fullback TsimikasAS Roma are holding a medical for Kostas Tsimikas today.The Liverpool fullback is leaving Anfield after finding himself third-choice this season behind fellow left-backs Andrew Robertson and Milos Kerkez.La Gazzetta dello Sport says the Greece international is expected in Italy today to finalise his move.Tsimikas will undergo a medical ahead of signing a...
FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-FULHAMMarco Silva has demanded an explanation from the Premier League after lambasting three "shocking" refereeing decisions in Fulham's 2-0 Premier League loss at Chelsea.WHAT HAPPENED?The Whites thought they had taken the lead against their west London rivals Chelsea when 18-year-old Josh King coolly slotted past Robert Sanchez. However, the goal was chalked off by referee Rob...
[(Shonan Bellmare) Strength]: 1. Shonan Bellmare are one of the bottom teams in the table, taking 25 points and being in the relegation zone. They are strongly motivated to grab points.[(Shonan Bellmare) Neutral]: 1. Shonan Bellmare drew the last 4 home games, revealing mediocre home performances.[(Shonan Bellmare) Weakness]: 1. Shonan Bellmare lost 1-0 to Fagiano Okayama on the road in the last g...
Manchester United Training Session And Press Conference - UEFA Europa League Final 2025Chelsea have completed the signing of Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United.WHAT HAPPENED?Garnacho has signed a seven-year contract with the Blues after the two Premier League clubs agreed a deal worth a fixed £40 million fee ($54m) with a 10 per cent sell-on clause, Goal understands. The 21-year-old ha...
Marc Guehi Crystal Palace 2025-26Liverpool have launched a fresh bid for Marc Guehi as they hope that Crystal Palace will finally accept their proposal and agree to sell their star defender before the summer transfer window closes on Monday. The Reds have been linked with a move for the England international throughout the summer and the champions are determined to secure his signature.WHAT HAPPEN...
West Ham United v Lille OSC - Pre-Season FriendlyAston Villa are close to signing West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta on an initial loan with an obligation to buy next summer.WHAT HAPPENED?Villa are on the brink of agreeing a £47 million (€54m/$63m) package for Paqueta which includes a loan fee and add-ons, according to Fabrizio Romano. The report also states the 28-year-old has ac...
[(Nagoya Grampus) Strength]: 1. Nagoya Grampus currently have only 28 points and are near the bottom of the league table. To avoid relegation, they need to earn points.[(Nagoya Grampus) Neutral]: 1. Nagoya Grampus' 7 successive games ended with OVER.[(Nagoya Grampus) Weakness]: 1. Nagoya Grampus lost 2-4 to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in their last Emperor's Cup game, with poor performance.2. In the lates...
Cody Gakpo Liverpool 2025Premier League champions Liverpool have confirmed that star attacker Cody Gakpo has put pen to paper on a new long-term contract, which has extended his stay at Anfield beyond 2028. The Dutchman who joined the club in January 2023, during the Jurgen Klopp era, has established himself as a regular starter under new boss Arne Slot and has now committed his future to the Reds...
