2009-09-26: St Mirren 0-2 Celtic, SPL

Match Pictures | Matches: 2009 – 2010 | 2009-2010 Pictures

Trivia

  • Rangers drew so we go 4pts ahead in the league!
  • McGeady out injured and Caldwell on bench; McManus starts whilst Samaras back from injury (as sub).
  • Paddy McCourt & McGinn start
  • Big Grudge week ahead: Rapid Vienna on Thursday and Huns on Sunday coming.

Review

St Paddy's day as Paddy McCourt steals all the plaudits with a second cracking solo goal in a week which has got all talking. Some wonderful play from him waltzing around 6 St Mirren players to create an angled shot on goal to give us the lead. Beyond that the only other goal was a fine curler in by Maloney, but little much else generally. Passing was poor on many occasion but our defence was little troubled. Some good play by N'Guemo in the second half, but the team as a whole was still below par.

Not pretty often we won. Basically we have still to pick up our act this season, but we are now 4pts in front and regardless of the outcome next Sunday we'll still be on top but a further 3pts will mean we'll have a welcome cushion.

Teams

St Mirren

  • 01Gallacher
  • 06Potter; yellow card
  • 19Barron
  • 21Innes; yellow card
  • 02Ross
  • 04McGinn
  • 07Murray (Brighton 62)
  • 10Thomson yellow card
  • 14Brady (Dorman 56)
  • 09Mehmet (Higdon 84)
  • 18Dargo

Substitutes

  • 20Howard,
  • 25Faulds,
  • 08Dorman,
  • 12O'Donnell,
  • 16Brighton,
  • 11Higdon,
  • 22Quinn

Celtic

  • 01Boruc
  • 02Hinkel
  • 04McManus
  • 11Fox
  • 22Loovens
  • 06N'Guemo
  • 08Brown; yellow card (Crosas 86)
  • 07McDonald
  • 13Maloney
  • 20McCourt (McGinn 68)
  • 33Killen; yellow card (Samaras 56)

Substitutes

  • 24Zaluska,
  • 05Caldwell,
  • 52Caddis,
  • 14McGinn,
  • 17Crosas,
  • 09Samaras,
  • 49Forrest

Goals

  • McCourt 27
  • Maloney 78
Ref:Richmond
Att:6164

Articles

Pictures

KStreet

MOTM

26th Sep 09, St Mirren 0-2 Celtic, SPL, McCourt

Stats

Possession

  • St Mirren 38%
  • Celtic 62%

Shots on target

  • St Mirren 2
  • Celtic 5

Shots off target

  • St Mirren 2
  • Celtic 6

Corners

  • St Mirren 4
  • Celtic 4

Fouls

  • St Mirren 10
  • Celtic 14

Articles

McCourt provides spark to lighten Mowbray's gloom; The Celtic manager was not impressed by his side, says Phil Gordon

28 September 2009

Provided by: The Times

St Mirren 0
Celtic 2 McCourt 27, Maloney 78
Referee C Richmond. Attendance 6,164
Rarely has the Beach Boys' archive been plundered quite so lustily as it was in Paisley on Saturday lunchtime. The sound was definitely Sloop John B but the lyrics – "it's not Messi, it's Paddy McCourt" – might struggle to gain an endorsement from Brian Wilson (the Beach Boy, not the Celtic director of the same name).
The noise could probably be heard a few miles up the M8 in Govan, appropriately enough for a song about a boat. Whether Paddy McCourt's name will be sung at Ibrox on Sunday lunchtime, though, is something only Tony Mowbray knows.
The Celtic manager will not be misled by the good vibrations that have been injected into his side with Mc-Court's emergence. Two audacious goals in three days from the Northern Ireland midfield player have suddenly raised McCourt's profile but Mowbray has to consider whether that is enough to let his maverick talent loose against Rapid Vienna, never mind Rangers.
The Europa League group C match on Thursday will consume Celtic's full attention before they can even think about the first Old Firm encounter of the season. Mowbray talks about searching for "balance" when trying to assess if McCourt's undoubted gifts – but questionable physique – can thrive in the frenetic environment of a Glasgow derby.
McCourt would not be the first skilful footballer to wilt in such a game. Shunsuke Nakamura's first Old Firm derby saw him brushed aside at Ibrox before the Japan midfield player acquired the competitive edge to go along with his artistry, while Aiden McGeady also found himself dropped for the trip across Glasgow.
Even Lionel Messi found the scrutiny too harsh at Ibrox. The Barcelona player famously described his Champions League meeting with Rangers in 2007 as "anti-football" but it could be argued that coming through such robust experiences are the making of any footballer, whether it is Messi, Nakamura or even McCourt.
Mowbray knows from his own playing days with Celtic that Ibrox is no place for the faint-hearted. Yet, as a manager at Hibernian, he once took what was seen as a gamble by leaving his principal striker, Garry O'Connor, on the bench at the expense of tiny Ivan Sproule – another Northern Irishman – who scored a hat-trick in a 3-0 rout of Rangers in 2005.
McCourt's remarkable solo goal against Falkirk last Wednesday in the Co-operative Insurance Cup success earned the midfield player his first start in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League since his signing from Derry City 15 months ago. However, anyone tempted to dismiss his presence on the pitch at St Mirren Park as a token gesture, only had to see Barry Robson, Mark Wilson and Willo Flood – who all played in the cup tie – rigorously undergo a pre-match warm up before taking their seats in the stand.
The competition for places, especially in midfield, is fierce. McCourt, though, did not waste his chance. The 25-year-old made the maximum impact by conjuring up yet another memorable goal, as, just before the half-hour mark, he broke the deadlock with another solo run that left five St Mirren tackles in his wake, before thrashing an angled finish beyond Paul Gallacher.
For anyone who is counting, that is 11 tackles McCourt has danced past to score his two goals in three days. Not bad statistics for a man who was struggling to get a squad number last season. "It was no more special than his goal at Falkirk and he does it every day in training and – it's something that we expect from him," Mowbray, trying to calm expectations, said.
McCourt acknowledges that. "The manager is an honest fellow and has told me that he wants me to play every week but that there are some things I have to add to my game," the Northern Ireland player said. "I will be ready [for Rapid and Rangers]. If I do get the chance it will be up to me to perform again but we will never know until I am asked."
For Danny Fox, who is still getting used to McCourt after joining from Coventry City just two months ago, the praise was more fulsome. "He seems to only score special goals," Fox said. "To have that sort of talent in your locker is important and if he can keep doing it, that will be great for us."
John Potter was one of those defenders left bemused by McCourt's dip of the shoulders but the St Mirren captain offered admiration later. "It was a fantastic goal," Potter said. "Mc-Court is surprisingly quick and difficult for defenders to tackle. He is one of a kind and is playing in a team that suits him. Celtic like to pass the ball and give him space to cause teams problems with that ability."
Mowbray had very few words or praise for his team, condemning a performance that was short on quality. It took a 78th-minute goal from Shaun Maloney, a fine curling rightfoot finish – that St Mirren felt Scott McDonald added the last touch to from an offside position – to kill off the hosts, who defeated Celtic on their new ground in the Scottish Cup last March but have yet to win a league match there in a sequence that now expands to 11 games.

Saints ratings 4-4-2 P Gallacher 7 J Ross 6 J Potter 7 C Innes 6 D Barron 8 S Thomson 6 H Murray 6 S McGinn 6 G Brady 5 B Mehmet 7 C Dargo 6 Substitutes A Dorman 6 (for Brady, 56min), T Brighton 5 (for Murray, 62), M Higdon (for Mehmet, 84). Not used M Howard, S O'Donnell, P Quinn, K Faulds.

Celtic ratings 4-4-2 A Boruc 7 A Hinkel 5 G Loovens 6 S McManus 7 D Fox 7 S Maloney 6 S Brown 5 L N'Guemo 5 P McCourt 7 C Killen 4 S McDonald 6 Substitutes G Samaras 5 (for Killen, 56min), N McGinn 5 (for McCourt, 67), M Crosas (for Brown, 85). Not used L Zaluska, G Caldwell, J Forrest, P Caddis.

(c) 2009 Times Newspapers Limited. All rights reserved
The Times

St Mirren manager Gus MacPherson:

"I was more pleased with the second half. In the first half we showed Celtic far too much respect.
"You've got to make it difficult for them. We did that in the second half.
"We took a chance or two with the personnel when it came round to the changes.
"In the end we've lost out to a counter-attack. That's what Celtic are capable of.
"I thought it was a good game. We've got to accept some of the things that went on and get on with it.
"I don't think we made a single tackle in the first half.
"In the second half there were positives in terms of the manner in which we played and the good areas we got into that caused more problems."

Celtic manager Tony Mowbray:

"It was a very poor performance today. We know we have to be better than we showed today.
"We got drawn into a scrap. We should be controlling the match better than we did today.
"If we find the level of performance we've had in the last couple of games, and that is the norm of the season, we won't be as successful as we hope to be and the biggest teams will take points off us.
"We have to take better decisions with the ball, we have to be more clinical and take more care of the ball with our passing.
"All those things we fell short on today."

  • Full Time

  • 90:00+2:35 The referee signals the end of the game.
  • 90:00+2:20 Niall McGinn has shot on goal from just outside the area which goes wide of the right-hand upright.
  • 88:39 Corner taken by Andy Dorman from the right by-line, clearance made by Landry N'Guemo.
  • 87:25 Effort from deep inside the area by Scott McDonald misses to the right of the target.
  • 86:55 Glenn Loovens gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Michael Higdon. Tom Brighton takes the free kick.
  • 85:38 Direct free kick taken by Glenn Loovens.
  • 85:38 Substitution Scott Brown leaves the field to be replaced by Marc Crosas.
  • 85:38 Unfair challenge on Scott Brown by Tom Brighton results in a free kick.
  • 84:57 Niall McGinn gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Tom Brighton. Free kick taken by David Barron.
  • 84:12 Shaun Maloney takes the inswinging corner, save by Paul Gallacher.
  • 83:52 Substitution Michael Higdon replaces Billy Mehmet.
  • 82:14 Effort by Billy Mehmet from a long way out goes over the crossbar.
  • 81:25 Daniel Fox crosses the ball from the free kick left-footed from right channel, Paul Gallacher makes a comfortable save.
  • 81:25 Booking Chris Innes receives a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.
  • 81:18 Unfair challenge on Scott McDonald by Chris Innes results in a free kick.
  • 80:52 Jack Ross crosses the ball, clearance by Shaun Maloney.
  • 80:15 Scott McDonald gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on John Potter. Paul Gallacher restarts play with the free kick.
  • 77:41 GOAL – Shaun Maloney:St Mirren 0 – 2 Celtic Shaun Maloney finds the back of the net with a goal from inside the penalty box to the bottom right corner of the goal. St Mirren 0-2 Celtic.
  • 77:27 Shaun Maloney takes a shot. Save by Paul Gallacher.
  • 76:13 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Billy Mehmet by Glenn Loovens. Free kick crossed right-footed by David Barron, Stephen McManus makes a clearance.
  • 74:16 Free kick awarded for a foul by Billy Mehmet on Scott Brown. Direct free kick taken by Glenn Loovens.
  • 73:16 Georgios Samaras produces a right-footed shot from inside the area that goes over the bar.
  • 70:48 Inswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Daniel Fox.
  • 69:32 John Potter gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Shaun Maloney. Daniel Fox restarts play with the free kick.
  • 68:14 Corner taken right-footed by Andy Dorman from the left by-line, clearance made by Shaun Maloney.
  • 67:19 Artur Boruc restarts play with the free kick.
  • 67:19 Substitution Niall McGinn on for Patrick McCourt.
  • 67:19 Tom Brighton gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Andreas Hinkel.
  • 65:45 Headed cross/shot by Andy Dorman, Artur Boruc makes a comfortable save.
  • 64:09 Short corner worked by Andy Dorman. Stephen McGinn delivers the ball, save made by Artur Boruc.
  • 63:35 Georgios Samaras gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on David Barron. Chris Innes takes the direct free kick.
  • 61:49 Artur Boruc restarts play with the free kick.
  • 61:49 Substitution Tom Brighton is brought on as a substitute for Hugh Murray.
  • 61:49 The referee blows for offside against Billy Mehmet.
  • 60:39 The referee blows for offside. Free kick taken by Glenn Loovens.
  • 59:38 The referee blows for offside. Artur Boruc takes the indirect free kick.
  • 59:02 Short corner worked by Shaun Maloney. Landry N'Guemo takes a shot. Save by Paul Gallacher.
  • 58:55 Centre by Georgios Samaras, clearance made by Chris Innes.
  • 58:38 Centre by Billy Mehmet, save by Artur Boruc.
  • 54:22 Substitution Garry Brady leaves the field to be replaced by Andy Dorman.
  • 54:22 Substitution Georgios Samaras on for Christopher Killen.
  • 54:22 Booking John Potter receives a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.
  • 54:22 Booking Booking for Christopher Killen.
  • 52:58 Stephen McGinn delivers the ball from the free kick right-footed from left channel, Christopher Killen makes a clearance.
  • 52:58 Booking The referee books Scott Brown for unsporting behaviour.
  • 52:55 Steven Thomson fouled by Scott Brown, the ref awards a free kick.
  • 49:43 Billy Mehmet fouled by Patrick McCourt, the ref awards a free kick. Stephen McGinn takes the direct free kick.
  • 47:49 Andreas Hinkel sends in a cross, clearance by Chris Innes.
  • 47:09 A cross is delivered by Hugh Murray, Stephen McManus makes a clearance.
  • 45:01 The referee starts the second half.
  • Half Time
  • 45:00+0:21 The players leave the pitch at half time.
  • 42:00 Daniel Fox takes the free kick.
  • 42:00 Booking Steven Thomson is given a yellow card.
  • 41:41 Unfair challenge on Shaun Maloney by Steven Thomson results in a free kick.
  • 41:04 Billy Mehmet takes a shot. Blocked by Glenn Loovens. Garry Brady takes a outswinging corner from the right by-line played to the near post.
  • 40:18 Christopher Killen concedes a free kick for a foul on David Barron. Direct free kick taken by Paul Gallacher.
  • 37:52 Unfair challenge on Hugh Murray by Scott Brown results in a free kick. Paul Gallacher takes the direct free kick.
  • 35:52 Andreas Hinkel takes a shot. Save by Paul Gallacher.
  • 34:44 Unfair challenge on Craig Dargo by Stephen McManus results in a free kick. Garry Brady restarts play with the free kick.
  • 34:03 The official flags Scott McDonald offside. Indirect free kick taken by Paul Gallacher.
  • 33:08 The ball is sent over by Jack Ross, Headed effort from inside the area by Billy Mehmet misses to the left of the target.
  • 30:23 Free kick awarded for a foul by Glenn Loovens on Stephen McGinn. Free kick crossed by Stephen McGinn.
  • 29:08 Effort from deep inside the area by Scott McDonald clears the bar.
  • Correction – 27:33 Craig Dargo is ruled offside. Indirect free kick taken by Glenn Loovens.
  • 27:33 The offside flag is raised against Craig Dargo. Glenn Loovens restarts play with the free kick,
  • 26:04 GOAL – Patrick McCourt:St Mirren 0 – 1 Celtic Patrick McCourt finds the back of the net with a goal from deep inside the penalty box to the bottom left corner of the goal. St Mirren 0-1 Celtic.
  • 23:31 Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Daniel Fox from the right by-line.
  • 21:50 Daniel Fox produces a cross, Jack Ross gets a block in.
  • 19:42 Stephen McGinn challenges Scott McDonald unfairly and gives away a free kick. Landry N'Guemo takes the free kick.
  • 17:42 Hugh Murray challenges Patrick McCourt unfairly and gives away a free kick. Daniel Fox crosses the ball from the free kick left-footed from right wing.
  • 16:02 Daniel Fox crosses the ball, clearance by John Potter.
  • 13:04 Patrick McCourt has an effort at goal from just outside the box which goes wide of the left-hand post.
  • 10:57 Foul by Hugh Murray on Christopher Killen, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Shaun Maloney.
  • 8:16 David Barron sends in a cross, Landry N'Guemo manages to make a clearance.
  • 7:27 Christopher Killen challenges Hugh Murray unfairly and gives away a free kick. Hugh Murray restarts play with the free kick.
  • 6:58 Stephen McManus gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Craig Dargo. David Barron takes the direct free kick.
  • 3:25 Andreas Hinkel fouled by Billy Mehmet, the ref awards a free kick. Andreas Hinkel restarts play with the free kick. The ball is crossed by Stephen McManus.
  • 2:22 Daniel Fox concedes a free kick for a foul on Steven Thomson. Free kick taken by Paul Gallacher.
  • 0:25 Effort from deep inside the area by Christopher Killen clears the bar.
  • 0:00 The referee starts the match.

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