Martin O’Neill identifies major Celtic frustration ahead of Rangers showdown

Martin O’Neill admitted Celtic made scoring look “almost impossible” despite maintaining their perfect domestic start with a narrow 1-0 victory over St Johnstone.

Mika Baur’s first goal for the club proved the difference at McDiarmid Park, with the champions grinding out a 1-0 win ahead of Sunday’s Premier Sports Cup clash against Rangers.

Celtic also had a Haissem Hassan effort disallowed and passed up several opportunities to put the contest beyond the hosts, who remained a threat while only one goal behind.

O’Neill was pleased to leave Perth with three points but was frustrated by Celtic’s lack of a killer instinct in front of goal.

The 74-year-old told Sky Sports: “I’m really not sure, genuinely. I’m not even sure what to make of the game. I think we made goal scoring, which is very difficult, I know that from past experience – it is difficult, but we made it almost impossible.

“We could have scored a number of goals, we could, didn’t do. It was just kind of crazy, really.

“I thought that somebody could maybe have just took responsibility, put it in the net – pass, pass, pass. Anyway, we’ve won the game, which I’m delighted with. It was the most important thing.

“Could have scored a number of goals. I thought St. Johnstone were never out of the game. And we couldn’t put it beyond them.

“The goal changes it. It gives you momentum and it changes the emphasis of the game. And, yeah, and I thought then we’d followed up, we maybe could have got the second goal, didn’t do. And when it’s 1-0, the game’s still in the balance.”