Almost 12 months after the Hoops’ last league defeat, headers from captain Mark O’Hara (43) and Jonah Ayunga (53) inspired St Mirren to their first home win over Celtic in 12 years and sparked the her first league loss. the guests in 38 matches. Celtic were tasked with responding to Rangers’ win over Dundee United on Saturday but produced a miserable attacking performance as Ange Postecoglou’s side failed to restore their five-point lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership. After losing his last eight games with the Glasgow club, conceding 27 goals in the process, it was a maiden victory over Celtic for St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson, who sees his side move up to third place, six points behind Celtic. table.
St Mirren stun Celtic as 38-match unbeaten run ends
Image: St Mirren’s Mark O’Hara (L) scores to make it 1-0 against Celtic
A minute’s applause in memory of Queen Elizabeth II was marred by unsavory chants from sections of the Celtic traveling support, with some fans chanting “if you hate the royal family clap” while a banner bearing the same phrase was seen in the distance. end. Once the game got under way, Celtic had 81 per cent of possession in the first 45 minutes – the most they have had in the first half of a Scottish Premiership game since a 5-0 win over Partick Thistle in 2017 – but were unable to . created anything of note and went back into the break.
Team news
After a 1-1 draw with Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on Wednesday night, Postecoglou made the changes with former Saints player Aaron Mooy, Anthony Ralston, Stephen Welsh, David Turnbull, Daizen Maeda and Liel Abada coming on side, while Scott Tanser. replaced Richard Tait for St Mirren. Ryan Strain spearheaded St Mirren’s counter-attacking threat and the right-back laid on the first step as his sumptuous cross found captain O’Hara, who went unmarked at the back post to curl a powerful header beyond Celtic goalkeeper Joe Hart. Postecoglou introduced Jota and Reo Hatate on the break in a bid to bolster Celtic’s attack but, after another defensive error, the visitors were two down before they knew it. Curtis Main got past Stephen Welsh to keep a long-range shot alive, slotting the ball to Ayunga to head in the second. Image: St Mirren’s Jonah Ayunga celebrates making it 2-0 Giorgos Giakoumakis and Sead Haksabanovic came on as Celtic turned to their substitutes for inspiration, but none came, and St Mirren should have put the game to bed when O’Hara was sent off in the 62nd minute. Moritz Jenz, Giakoumakis and Greg Taylor all forced saves from goalkeeper Trevor Carson, but Celtic’s comeback failed to materialize as St Mirren saw off a famous and deserved victory to reignite the early title race.
Postecoglou: The selection of the team is probably not correct
Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou reacts to his side’s shock defeat away to St Mirren. Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou: “Firstly, credit to St Mirren, they worked very hard and committed to their game plan and made it difficult for us. The performance today was not up to our level and nowhere near where it should have been.” “From our perspective, we didn’t play in any of the areas that we like to play in and have played. There’s not much positive to take from today, including the team selection, it probably wasn’t right. There are always reminders that we still have work to do. Every team is a potential obstacle.”
Robinson hails the “outstanding” lead performance
Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson reacts to his side’s shock 2-0 win at home to Celtic. St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson: “The lads are the ones who do it on the pitch, they’re tired and they’re still trying to get the tactical information in a really, really good performance from them. “I thought we were great to a man, but Curtis Mayne was great. He kept the ball up for us, he never got tired in the game, even at the end. It’s not often that I mention individuals, but he deserves it today. He scores much more than just goals. “Celtic are a top, top team. When you play them, you need people to be brave and keep the ball. That’s the most enjoyable aspect of the game today for me, we played, we passed and we hit them on the break.”
Man of the Match – Mark O’Hara
Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player St Mirren duo Mark O’Hara and Jonah Ayunga react to their surprise 2-0 win over champions Celtic. “He was really comfortable,” said St Mirren captain and man of the match Mark O’Hara. “It’s huge. We worked all week on a game plan. To see it come out is great. Everyone was ready for it, everyone was into it. I should have scored another one.”
What’s next?
Celtic will return from the international break with a home game against Motherwell on October 1. St Mirren host Livingston on the same day. The match starts at 3 pm.
