Champions Celtic suffered a serious blow to their hopes of overhauling Rangers at the top of the Scottish Premier League on Saturday when they lost 1-0 at St Johnstone.
Keith O'Halloran's diving header after 55 minutes means the Parkhead side are now seven points adrift of Rangers who won their game in hand against Aberdeen at Ibrox yesterday.
Celtic dominated the opening 45 minutes without finding a goal and at the break head coach Jozef Venglos made an ill-fated tactical switch, replacing defender Tosh McKinlay with forward Simon Donnelly.
O'Halloran's 55th-minute diving header duly followed and Celtic's rhythm was suddenly gone, and with this first loss of 1999 (Celtic were last defeated at Hearts on December 6th) goes perhaps their ambition of retaining the championship next month.
With four games left to play Rangers will go to Celtic Park next Sunday knowing they can win the title at their rivals' home.
Celtic midfielder Craig Burley has joined the list of Scotland casualties for the friendly against Germany in Bremen on Wednesday. Burley picked up an ankle injury on Saturday.
