Celtic have narrowly won both of their games after the World Cup break, against Aberdeen and Livingston. On the other hand, the Rangers have won all three of their games under the management of Michael Beale albeit by the skin of their teeth, as it looks like they are enjoying a new manager bounce. We will see how long that lasts but for the time being, the Hoops have a six-point lead and a game in hand.
That match will come against St Johnstone, who could pose a tough test for Celtic. The visitors have not lost any of their last six games and that run includes wins over the Rangers and Hibernian.
It is a home game for Celtic though and one that they need to win in order to maintain their nine-point gap with the Rangers. But they have been handed a massive worry going into the game.
Anthony Ralston had picked up an injury in the previous match against Livingston and forced off the pitch early in the second half. Ange Postecoglou had sounded hopeful that he would be fit to feature soon. But the right-back was not in any of the pictures in the training gallery posted on the club’s official website ahead of the match against St Johnstone.
Celtic handed massive worry before St Johnstone match
Not only has Ralston been in good form in recent times but Celtic also do not have Josip Juranovic available at the moment, as the Croatian had a deep run at the World Cup and suffered a small injury himself, which saw him miss the third place game.
As a result, unless Ralston somehow becomes available for the game against St Johnstone, Postecoglou might be forced into playing Greg Taylor at right-back. It goes without saying that that is not ideal.
On the other hand, one can hope that not including Ralston in the training gallery is part of the pre-match mind games.