Celtic’s upcoming trip to McDiarmid Park this Sunday (April 6) promises to be another critical fixture in their pursuit of the 55th Scottish Premiership title. The stakes are high, as Brendan Rodgers’ side is just a few wins away from securing a fourth consecutive league crown. For St Johnstone, however, the match represents yet another battle in their fight to stave off relegation as they sit at the bottom of the table. With seven matches remaining, Simo Valakari’s men are running out of time to save their season.

David Dickinson: The Referee’s Appointment

The match will be officiated by David Dickinson, marking his third appearance as the referee for a Celtic game this season. His previous appointments saw him officiate Celtic’s 0-0 draw with Dundee United at Tannadice in December and the 3-0 win over Motherwell earlier in the campaign at Fir Park. While Dickinson’s handling of these games did not spark any major controversy, Celtic fans will be hoping for a smooth performance from the officials this weekend.

Controversy has frequently surrounded certain referees when it comes to Celtic fixtures, with Alan Muir drawing the ire of supporters for his failure to award a clear penalty in Celtic’s 2-1 win over Motherwell earlier this season. Daizen Maeda was clearly bundled over in the box by Stephen O’Donnell, but Muir saw no merit in the appeals. The decision was widely criticized by both fans and pundits, leading to widespread frustration. Thankfully, Muir will not be officiating on Sunday, which will come as a relief to many Celtic supporters. Instead, Dougie Potter and Steven Traynor will assist Dickinson as the linesmen, while Greg Aitken will handle VAR duties alongside Andrew McWilliam as AVAR. It’s a lineup that many hope will result in fair and consistent officiating, avoiding the controversies that have marred some Celtic matches this season.

Celtic’s Title Quest: Closing In on Glory

Celtic’s focus will firmly be on securing another three points in what could be another important step toward the title. If Rodgers’ men win in Perth, they will be just two wins away from clinching the title, assuming Rangers are victorious at home against Hibernian on Saturday. With just a few games left to play, Celtic are in a position to wrap up the league title early if they continue their fine form. Given their attacking prowess and solid defense, few expect St Johnstone to be able to challenge them on Sunday. However, as with any crucial fixture, complacency can be dangerous, and Celtic must remain fully focused to ensure they take all three points.

The Celtic support will be out in force at McDiarmid Park, with around 7,000 fans expected to travel to Perth. This will likely be one of the largest away contingents of the season, creating an electric atmosphere as the traveling faithful cheer their side on. These fans have been a huge source of motivation for the team, and it’s expected that the Celtic players will feed off that energy as they push closer to the title. The backing from the stands will be crucial, as Celtic aim to continue their impressive run of form and seal the title in front of a vocal and passionate crowd.

St Johnstone: Struggling at the Bottom

While Celtic chase the title, St Johnstone’s focus is on survival. The Perth side are currently languishing at the foot of the Scottish Premiership, five points behind 11th-placed Dundee. With just seven matches remaining, St Johnstone have a monumental task ahead of them to avoid the dreaded automatic relegation spot. Their hopes will rest on improving their form drastically over the coming weeks, but facing Celtic, one of the top teams in the country, is hardly the best way to gain ground.

This is a crucial time for St Johnstone as they look to secure points and give themselves a chance to avoid the drop. Their post-split fixtures will define their season, and their clash with Celtic will offer a momentary break from the intense pressure of the relegation battle. The Scottish Cup semi-final against Celtic offers a rare opportunity for St Johnstone to play without the weight of relegation hanging over them, though that match will also be difficult given the Hoops’ form.

St Johnstone will be desperate to put in a good performance, knowing their survival depends on it. They will be hoping that Celtic take their foot off the gas slightly, offering them a slim chance of springing an upset. However, based on Celtic’s recent form, the Hoops will likely come into this match with full intensity and will be looking to extend their dominance over the Perth side.

Celtic’s Dominance in Previous Meetings

The two teams have already met twice this season, and on both occasions, Celtic have been the dominant force. Back in September, Celtic put in one of their most impressive displays of the season, hammering St Johnstone 6-0 at McDiarmid Park. The performance was clinical, with Celtic showcasing their attacking prowess and defensive solidity, leaving St Johnstone with little to show for their efforts. The return fixture in December at Celtic Park saw another emphatic win for the Hoops, this time a 4-0 victory, as Rodgers’ men reinforced their superiority.

Given the form of both teams, it’s hard to see anything other than another Celtic victory, though football often throws up surprises. Celtic will need to ensure they remain sharp and clinical, as St Johnstone will likely throw everything they have into the game in order to give themselves a chance of survival. A performance similar to their previous wins over the Saints will be required if Celtic are to avoid any potential slip-ups.

Kick-Off Time and Broadcast Information

The match will kick off at 12:00 PM (UK time) on Sunday, April 6, and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Football, and Sky Sports Ultra HDR. Fans outside the UK and Ireland can catch the action on Celtic TV, which will provide live coverage of the match for subscribers.

With Celtic on the brink of securing the title and St Johnstone fighting for their survival, this match has all the ingredients for a tense and high-stakes encounter. Can Celtic take another step toward glory, or will St Johnstone defy the odds and cause a shock? One thing is for certain – both teams will be giving it everything they’ve got, making for a thrilling Sunday afternoon in Perth.