Celtic 1 St Mirren 0
On a day when something lower than all three factors was merely unthinkable from a Celtic perspective, Martin O’Neill’s gamers scrambled their option to a victory which retains their title defence alive.
We’re very a lot on the stage of the season the place outcomes matter greater than performances – which is simply as nicely for a crew who stay wholly unconvincing.
On the stability of play, they simply about deserved the win right here however have been made to sweat and toil for it by a progressive and nicely organised St Mirren facet who strained each sinew in their very own bid to keep away from the relegation play-off spot.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s early aim may need been anticipated to supply Celtic with a platform for a extra snug afternoon.
As a substitute, they retreated right into a shell at instances, particularly throughout a spell of the second half when St Mirren regarded the likelier facet however with out asking any critical questions of residence keeper Viljami Sinisalo.
Oxlade-Chamberlain celebrates after scoring early within the 1-0 win over St Mirren
It stays troublesome to envisage this Celtic facet placing collectively a run of 5 straight wins when the put up cut up fixtures begin in a fortnight, even when three of their video games are at residence.
But they’re nonetheless in there pitching and have a level of tenacity beneath O’Neill which implies they continue to be contenders for a Premiership and Scottish Cup double.
To win the latter, they might want to overcome St Mirren once more at Hampden subsequent Sunday and that’s no foregone conclusion.
Interim Saints boss Craig McLeish oversaw one other admirable show from his gamers right here which is able to give him perception they’ll avoid that dreaded eleventh place within the desk. They’re now simply two factors away from Kilmarnock however look to have sufficient to outlive.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain retains his cool to place Celtic 1-0 up in opposition to St MIrren
Celtic’s determination to welcome the unrepentant Inexperienced Brigade again to the stadium, with the ultras group even demanding an apology from the membership in response to the information their 5 month ban was being lifted, was maybe an train in pragmatism by the board of administrators.
You will surely have given a penny for chairman Brian Wilson’s ideas when the returning part of the help unfurled a banner earlier than kick-off with a quote from IRA starvation striker Bobby Sands’ jail diaries – ‘Everybody has their very own explicit half to play’.
Regardless of the politics of the state of affairs, there was definitely a extra buoyant and noisy ambiance inside Celtic Park because the defending champions sought to construct a way of unity on and off the pitch for the title run-in.
Oxlade-Chamberlain hasn’t made as a lot of an influence as O’Neill may need hoped when he recruited the previous Liverpool and Arsenal man as a free agent in February however the 32-year-old nonetheless possesses smatterings of star high quality.
Tomas Cvancara catches St Mirren goalkeeper Shamal George on the pinnacle
Earlier than he put Celtic in entrance, Oxlade-Chamberlain had already displayed his technical prowess with a sweetly struck volley past Shamal George after the St Mirren keeper had parried an extended vary shot from Callum McGregor.
That effort was rapidly and accurately dominated out for offside however there was no dispute over his sixteenth minute breakthrough which got here in related circumstances.
St Mirren had really settled into the sport after a troublesome begin however have been undone when one other McGregor shot was blocked by Alex Gogic whose fellow defenders have been gradual to react to the unfastened ball.
Oxlade-Chamberlain was onto it like a flash and whipped an emphatic low end past the helpless George.
If the house followers anticipated an onslaught to comply with, they have been upset. Whereas Celtic dominated possession, St Mirren dug in and stored the ball with good composure at any time when it got here their means.
Mikael Mandron ought to have performed higher than head extensive from a Miguel Freckleton cross because the guests indicated they might carry a risk of their very own.
They suffered a blow, nonetheless, within the thirty second minute when George was harm in a painful conflict with Tomas Cvancara as he bravely challenged the large Czech striker who was attempting to get on the top of Daizen Maeda’s low ball throughout the face of the six yard field. George was unable to proceed after prolonged therapy and was changed by former Celtic youth participant Ryan Mullen.
Celtic striker Kelechi Iheanacho misses an opportunity to make the consequence secure
St Mirren’s deputy, making solely his second league look for the membership, loved an early confidence increase when he did nicely to clutch a curling shot from Celtic’s high scorer Benjamin Nygren.
Celtic regarded more and more nervy as the primary half ticked into six minutes of stoppage time and Liam Donnelly virtually grabbed a leveller for Saints when he headed narrowly over from Declan John’s nook.
The anxiousness ranges continued to escalate for the hosts after the break. There was an absence of fluidity of their work whereas St Mirren grew in confidence and ambition, albeit with out with the ability to create clear reduce openings.
Cvancara had but once more delivered an entirely underwhelming show up entrance for Celtic and the Borussia Moenchengladbach loanee was changed by Kelechi Iheanacho for the ultimate half hour.
St Mirren interim supervisor Craig McLeish appears to be like on from the sidelines throughout Saturday’s recreation
The Nigerian’s health points make his lack of ability to play the complete 90 minutes one other supply of concern for O’Neill who has already conceded that Celtic’s placing issues imply they haven’t any likelihood of successful the title on aim distinction if it comes right down to it.
Iheanacho did present he may nonetheless have a vital position to play when he got here off the bench to seize the winner at Dundee final Sunday and the previous Manchester Metropolis man had a possibility to ease the strain for Celtic right here.
He was picked out by Maeda’s low cross from the left however miscued his close to put up effort and despatched it extensive from contained in the six yard field.
Celtic finally noticed the sport out and proceeded on a lap of honour to acknowledge their supporters.
As they reached the Inexperienced Brigade part, new banners have been unfurled studying ‘Celtic Board – Unfit For Goal’ and ‘Unbowed, Unbroken’.
Unity, it appears, continues to be very a lot a fragile idea at Celtic Park.
