After opening up a 12 point advantage at the top of the Premiership table Celtic will look to end 2024 on a high in front of their own fans.Having dropped points in a stalemate against Dundee United, Brendan Rodgers' side were back on form against Motherwell - with a 4-0 win combined with Rangers' defeat to St Mirren in the late kick-off ensuring that any hopes of a title challenge south of the Clyde look to have been extinguished for good.
And after another glittering year, the Hoops will be determined to go into the January 2 derby with plenty of confidence by picking up another three points against Simo Valakari's toiling Saints.The Finnish boss has brought a much easier on the eye style of play to Perth, but it has yet to bring results - and he has just three victories from his 12 games in charge so far, as the Saints dropped to the foot of the Premiership standings.
They face a big January to avoid dropping out of the top flight, and picking up anything at Parkhead would be a major boost ahead of a vital five months.
Celtic meanwhile could see the game as the ideal chance to rotate their squad ahead of the Old Firm, so boss Rodgers could be tempted to rest big hitters like Cameron Carter-Vickers and Daizan Maeda to keep them fresh for Ibrox.It's a game that is vital at both ends of the table, and Record Sport can ensure that you don't miss a moment of the action.Celtic take on St Johnstone at Celtic Park on Sunday December 29, with kick-off at 3pm.Unfortunately, the fixture has not been selected by Sky Sports or Premier Sports.
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