St Johnstone's postponed Scottish Premiership fixture against Celtic has been officially rescheduled for next month. The match will kick off at 8pm at McDiarmid Park and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, as reported by LiveScore.
The game was originally set for Saturday, August 22 but was called off due to Celtic's involvement in a Champions League play-off against Austrian side LASK. The new date falls just four days before Celtic's Premier Sports Cup quarter-final against Rangers at Ibrox, adding a layer of intrigue to the scheduling.
What is the significance of the new date?
The rescheduled clash presents a fresh challenge for St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari. It will be his first managerial meeting with Celtic boss Martin O'Neill. Valakari, who guided Saints back to the top flight after their relegation at the end of the 2024/25 campaign, now faces a Celtic side that currently leads the Premiership. St Johnstone sit sixth in the table with three points from their opening two games, a record of one win and one loss. You can track their progress on our standings page.
This fixture offers Valakari's squad a major early-season test against the champions. The team has shown a balanced start to the campaign, scoring four goals and conceding four, resulting in a zero goal difference. Their next league assignment after the Celtic match is a home game against Dundee United on October 17.
How does the fixture affect St Johnstone's schedule?
The confirmation finalises an important block in St Johnstone's calendar. Playing the league leaders on a prime-time television slot is a significant event for the club. It comes as part of a demanding run of fixtures that the squad will need to navigate. Fans can view the complete schedule on our dedicated fixtures page.
From a league perspective, the match carries weight for the Perth side's early positioning. With Celtic three points clear at the summit, a positive result for St Johnstone could help close that gap and solidify their top-six ambitions. The team's recent form reads as a win followed by a loss, indicating they are capable of competing but need greater consistency.
What is the context for both teams?
For Celtic, the match is a key domestic hurdle before a cup showdown with their arch-rivals. Manager Martin O'Neill will be keen to maintain momentum and avoid any slip-ups ahead of that intense derby. For St Johnstone, the focus is purely on securing a result that can boost confidence and points.
The match at McDiarmid Park will be a tactical battle between two distinct managerial styles. Valakari's work in rebuilding the squad for Premiership football gets its latest examination against one of the country's most experienced bosses. The Saints squad, which you can explore on our squad page, will need to be at its best to contain the attacking threat of the league leaders.
With the date now set, preparations can begin in earnest for a high-profile evening under the lights in Perth. The match is a standout event in the early phase of the season for St Johnstone, offering a direct measure of their progress since returning to the Premiership.
