2012-01-21: St Mirren 0-2 Celtic, SPL

Match Pictures | Matches: 2011 – 2012 | 2011-2012 Pictures

Trivia

• Celtic go 4pts clear; Rangers drop points to Aberdeen at home!!! YESS!!! A 19pt turnaround!
• 12 league wins in a row.
• Celtic sign Rabiu Ibrahim & Jaroslaw Fojut.
• That's 29 (starting) defensive permutations in 35 matches this term! Lennon baffled the supporters with some team selections but turned it around as we handled the game badly. A 4-2-3-1 was changed to a 4-3-3.
• Aberdeen fans unveil a cracking banner at Ibrox of "We love the HMRC".
• "Stick yer 'Gypsies, tramps & thieves.' It wasn't funny at Motherwell and it's not funny here. Poor loser, embarrassing DJ." – Anthony Hamilton (Celtic media man on twitter). The St Mirren DJ played the tune "Gypsies, Tramps & thieves" aimed at the Celtic fans.

Review

(Antoniho of KDS)
Great win, even better with the huns result today, however, we were rank for the most part today and arguably just as bad in the second half against united last week. Additional attacking options are a must in the next 10 days, we need new blood. I may be wrong but I think the last time we played outstanding throughout a whole game was actually against st mirren at Parkhead? Since then we've had either glimpses of excellent football, but only during 45 minutes, or mediocre play overall, while still managing to pull off a result (sign of champions) But we can't expect to grab all 3 points every week with performances like the first 70 minutes today, we need consistency, and we can't afford to believe we have enough atm to go through the next 4 months on this run. In saying that I'll enjoy this weekend and this moment for now and say GIRUY huns :clap::clap:

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James Forrest and Scott Brown strike to seal Celtic win at St Mirren

Ewan Murray at St Mirren Park
guardian.co.uk, Saturday 21 January 2012 15.23 GMT

A prerequisite for any player nominated by Fifa as one of 13 players to watch in 2012 should be of an ability to positively influence a game. In the case of James Forrest, he supplied that impact just when his team-mates were looking for scoring assistance.

St Mirren's defeat of Rangers on Christmas Eve proved how Paisley can prove a testing venue for the best sides in the Scottish Premier League. As the other half of the Old Firm visited, the hosts could count themselves as unfortunate not to collect at least a point. The scoreline paints an unfair reflection on an even contest, with Celtic's greater resource edging them to victory.

Celtic toiled for long spells here and were therefore indebted on the latest occasion to Forrest, whose goal 19 minutes from time set up a victory for the visitors. The Fifa accolade aside, Forrest has progressed to such a level that he is a key Celtic player at the age of just 20.

When Neil Lennon was seeking second inspiration here, and despite Forrest being peripheral, there was never any likelihood of the winger being substituted. Forrest endorsed his manager's faith with the game's crucial opening goal.

"He is a huge asset to the football club," said Lennon of Forrest. "He started the game quietly but he got stronger as it went on and popped up just when we needed him."

Scott Brown doubled the Celtic advantage with an even better strike in the closing stages. Cue cliche about title-winning teams succeeding when short of their best; Celtic have now won a dozen league matches in succession.

"I thought Brown was sensational," Lennon added. "Some people wonder why I put him in the team. Well, it was there for all to see today."

To be fair to both sides, conditions were such that high entertainment levels never seemed possible. It was St Mirren who passed the ball better in the opening half, Fraser Forster forced to save smartly from a Marc McAusland header.

Celtic's response arrived via Gary Hooper, who hooked a half-volley from 40 yards which had Craig Samson scrambling across his goal to save.

Dougie Imrie and Graham Carey both came close to a St Mirren opener before the interval, Celtic's best move resulting in a Forrest cross which clipped the top of the crossbar.

The home team came even closer after 53 minutes. Paul McGowan looked to flick a Carey shot past Forster, the Celtic goalkeeper responding with an excellent reflex save.

St Mirren's problem, then, was an inability to turn meaningful spells of possession into a goal. They also survived a strong penalty claim from the visitors as McAusland appeared to handle at a corner kick.

Lennon, who had earlier altered a 4-4-2 formation to 4-3-3, turned to his substitutes to breath life into a stagnant display. Kris Commons and Anthony Stokes replaced the ineffectual Georgios Samaras and Ki Sung-yueng, a move which also kick-started Forrest's performance.

A Commons free-kick led to the opener. Samson punched that set piece clear, with Imrie exposed against Brown and Forrest on the edge of the St Mirren penalty area. Brown duly laid the ball into Forrest's path, with the youngster slamming home with the outside of his right foot.

Lee Mair was handed St Mirren's best chance of an equaliser which would probably have been merited on the balance of play, but the centre-half headed straight at Forster.

A rare Brown goal followed. Celtic's captain collected a short Commons corner and curled a superb, left-foot shot into the top corner of Samson's net. Not even a disallowed Thomas Rogne goal– on account of a dubious offside decision – could dampen Lennon's mood.

"That was the toughest game of the run we are on," the Celtic manager said. "I am thrilled. It was a big, big win. Huge, in the context of the season."

St Mirren0-2Celtic BBC

Page last updated at 14:28 GMT, Saturday, 21 January 2012 By Clive Lindsay

BBC Sport Forrest opened the scoring for Celtic at St Mirren Park James Forrest celebrated being named as one of Fifa's 13 young players to watch by scoring as leaders Celtic survived a tough test in Paisley.

St Mirren's Marc McAusland and Celtic's Gary Hooper both forced good saves in an even first half.

Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster denied Paul McGowan and new Buddies signing Dougie Imrie after the break.

But Forrest's low controlled shot after 70 minutes and Scott Brown's curler 17 minutes later won it for Celtic. Brown set up Celtic's first goal and scored the second in Paisley And it stretched the Glasgow side's run to 12 successive wins in the Scottish Premier League as they moved five points clear of Rangers ahead of the reigning champions' meeting with Aberdeen later in the afternoon.

Celtic manager Neil Lennon had shuffled his pack, bringing in Cha Du-ri, Ki Sung-Yueng and Forrest coming in for Adam Matthews, Emilio Izaguirre and Anthony Stokes.

But, although they started well, it was the Buddies who created the first chance after 12 minutes.

Former Celtic winger Graham Carey's corner as flicked on to the far post, where defender McAusland's half-volley from 10 yards was trapped on the line between the gangly legs of Forster.

Gary Hooper showed the confidence and eye for goal that has attracted a couple of failed bids from Southampton with an audacious attempt to catch out St Mirren goalkeeper Craig Samson.
However, his swift volley on the turn from all of 35 yards was pushed wide by the former Scotland Under-21 international.

Steven Thompson was thankful for a goal-line clearance by one of his own defenders after powering a header towards his own net as he attempted to clear a corner.

The Buddies' new signing from Hamilton, Dougie Imrie, had gone straight into Danny Lennon's side in place of the experienced Gary Teale.

And a cross from the former Clyde and Inverness forward, operating on the right despite preferring his left foot, found its way to Carey at the back post, where the winger sent a half-volley across the face of goal.

Forrest, whose progress limited Carey's chances at Celtic, at last managed to evade his markers and his near-post cross was headed across goal by Hooper.

Another Forrest cross landed on top of the crossbar, but a draw at half-time was fair on the balance of play.

St Mirren came out confidently after the break and Imrie shot straight at Forster before the goalkeeper produced a superb reaction save after Paul McGowan's flick diverted a wayward shot towards goal from 14 yards.

The frustrated Lennon hauled off Georgios Samaras and Ki after 57 minutes and the introduction of Kris Commons and Stokes gave Celtic new impetus.

St Mirren had a lucky escape moments later when Thomas Rogne's header from a corner came off McAusland's up-stretched arm.

It was the long arm of Forster that was to the fore when he superbly sent for a corner a powerful Imrie drive after the forward was found in space on the edge of the box from McGowan's neat flick.

St Mirren were undone after 70 minutes when Brown did well to play a first-time pass from Samson's punched clearance into the path of Forrest and the Scotland winger's low drive with the outside of his foot found the inside of the post from 18 yards.

Lee Mair forced another fine reaction save from Forster, while Hooper fired just wide at the other end.

However, Brown's superb finish from 18 yards ensured a victory against a Paisley outfit who have not scored in the last six meetings between the sides and who have not won a league game since beating Rangers on Christmas Eve.

• Full Time
• 90:00+3:17 The final whistle goes and the game is over.
• 90:00+2:59 Douglas Imrie crosses the ball.
• 89:25 Shot from deep inside the area by Douglas Imrie goes over the bar.
• 88:57 Thomas Rogne is caught offside. Craig Samson takes the direct free kick.
• 88:11 Unfair challenge on Joe Ledley by David van Zanten results in a free kick. Free kick crossed left-footed by Kris Commons.
• 87:17 The assist for the goal came from Kris Commons.
• 87:17 GOAL – Scott BrownSt Mirren 0 – 2 Celtic Scott Brown grabs a goal from just outside the penalty box to the top left corner of the goal. St Mirren 0-2 Celtic.
• 86:56 Kris Commons decides to take a short corner.
• 86:18 Substitution Adam Matthews on for James Forrest.
• 84:44 Douglas Imrie has an effort at goal from just inside the box that misses to the left of the goal.
• 83:47 The ball is swung over by Douglas Imrie.
• 83:24 Shot by Gary Hooper from deep inside the penalty area misses to the right of the target.
• 82:52 Kris Commons has an effort at goal from just outside the area which goes wide of the left-hand post.
• 82:37 Kris Commons takes a short corner.
• 81:40 Free kick awarded for a foul by Kenny McLean on Scott Brown. Charlie Mulgrew takes the direct free kick.
• 80:57 Substitution Aaron Mooy comes on in place of David Barron.
• 80:57 Substitution Gary Teale is brought on as a substitute for Graham Carey.
• 80:17 Inswinging corner taken by Graham Carey, Lee Mair takes a shot. Save made by Fraser Forster.
• 80:09 David van Zanten produces a cross, Charlie Mulgrew manages to make a clearance.
• 79:57 The ball is delivered by David van Zanten, Kris Commons gets a block in.
• 79:48 The ball is swung over by David van Zanten, Thomas Rogne manages to make a clearance.
• 79:35 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on David Barron by Victor Wanyama. Free kick taken by Marc McAusland.
• 78:00 Kenny McLean takes a shot from a long way out clearing the bar.
• 76:02 Kris Commons fouled by Douglas Imrie, the ref awards a free kick. Kris Commons crosses the ball in from the free kick, Marc McAusland manages to make a clearance.
• 75:32 David Barron concedes a free kick for a foul on Kris Commons. Charlie Mulgrew takes the direct free kick.
• 74:03 David van Zanten produces a cross, save made by Fraser Forster.
• 73:18 Centre by Graham Carey, James Forrest gets a block in.
• 72:53 Foul by Scott Brown on Douglas Imrie, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Marc McAusland.
• 72:02 Shot by David Barron from a long way out goes over the target.
• 70:53 The assist for the goal came from Scott Brown.
• 70:53 GOAL – James ForrestSt Mirren 0 – 1 Celtic James Forrest gets on the score sheet with a goal from just outside the penalty box to the bottom right corner of the goal. St Mirren 0-1 Celtic.
• 70:07 Unfair challenge on James Forrest by Jeroen Tesselaar results in a free kick. Free kick crossed left-footed by Kris Commons, Craig Samson makes a save.
• 69:11 Centre by James Forrest, Paul McGowan makes a clearance.
• 66:28 Corner taken left-footed by Graham Carey from the left by-line to the near post, Anthony Stokes manages to make a clearance.
• 65:30 Graham Carey restarts play with the free kick.
• 65:30 Booking Du-Ri Cha is shown a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.
• 65:15 Du-Ri Cha gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Graham Carey.
• 62:57 Free kick awarded for a foul by Gary Hooper on Marc McAusland. Free kick taken by Craig Samson.
• 61:17 Graham Carey takes a inswinging corner from the right by-line played to the near post, Anthony Stokes makes a clearance.
• 61:00 Douglas Imrie has an effort at goal from 12 yards. Save made by Fraser Forster.
• 59:23 Corner taken by Kris Commons.
• 58:42 Corner from left by-line taken by Kris Commons.
• 58:28 Kris Commons sends in a cross, clearance by Marc McAusland.
• 57:02 Substitution Anthony Stokes replaces Sung-Yeung Ki.
• 57:02 Substitution Kris Commons is brought on as a substitute for Georgios Samaras.
• 55:21 The referee blows for offside. Direct free kick taken by Fraser Forster.
• 53:43 The free kick is delivered right-footed by Sung-Yeung Ki from left channel.
• 53:43 Booking Paul McGowan receives a caution for unsporting behaviour.
• 53:35 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Georgios Samaras by Paul McGowan.
• 53:23 Corner taken by Graham Carey.
• 51:52 David van Zanten takes a shot. Paul McGowan takes a shot. Save made by Fraser Forster.
• 51:46 The ball is sent over by Steven Thompson, Joe Ledley makes a clearance.
• 51:14 Graham Carey fouled by Sung-Yeung Ki, the ref awards a free kick. Lee Mair takes the direct free kick.
• 50:55 Douglas Imrie takes a shot. Fraser Forster makes a save.
• 50:49 The ball is sent over by Graham Carey.
• 50:08 Douglas Imrie fouled by Georgios Samaras, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Craig Samson.
• 47:17 Kenny McLean crosses the ball.
• 46:39 Victor Wanyama concedes a free kick for a foul on Paul McGowan. David Barron restarts play with the free kick.
• 46:09 Volleyed right-footed shot by Kenny McLean. Save by Fraser Forster.
• 45:01 The match restarts for the second half.
• Half Time
• 45:00+0:10 The ref blows to signal half-time.
• 43:15 Corner taken by Charlie Mulgrew from the right by-line played to the near post, clearance made by David Barron.
• 42:46 James Forrest produces a cross.
• 41:00 James Forrest sends in a cross.
• 38:44 Corner taken by Graham Carey from the left by-line to the near post, clearance made by Charlie Mulgrew.
• 37:39 Effort on goal by Graham Carey from inside the penalty box misses to the right of the target.
• 37:34 Douglas Imrie delivers the ball, Thomas Rogne makes a clearance.
• 35:52 Foul by David van Zanten on Georgios Samaras, free kick awarded. Charlie Mulgrew takes the direct free kick.
• 34:23 David Barron produces a right-footed shot from just outside the penalty box that misses to the left of the target.
• 32:15 Corner taken by Sung-Yeung Ki.
• 28:32 Douglas Imrie delivers the ball.
• 27:28 Steven Thompson challenges Charlie Mulgrew unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Fraser Forster.
• 26:55 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on David van Zanten by Sung-Yeung Ki. Direct free kick taken by David van Zanten.
• 26:00 Douglas Imrie takes a shot. Save by Fraser Forster.
• 24:53 The referee blows for offside. Direct free kick taken by Craig Samson.
• 23:55 Corner taken left-footed by Charlie Mulgrew, save by Craig Samson.
• 23:48 Du-Ri Cha sends in a cross, clearance made by Lee Mair.
• 22:45 Du-Ri Cha delivers the ball, save made by Craig Samson.
• 22:35 Free kick awarded for a foul by Paul McGowan on Sung-Yeung Ki. Sung-Yeung Ki takes the free kick.
• 20:26 David Barron challenges Sung-Yeung Ki unfairly and gives away a free kick. Charlie Mulgrew has a direct shot on goal from the free kick.
• 20:04 The ball is swung over by Douglas Imrie, Steven Thompson takes a shot. Save by Fraser Forster.
• 18:49 Corner taken by Charlie Mulgrew.
• 15:50 A cross is delivered by Joe Ledley, Lee Mair makes a clearance.
• 14:19 Corner taken by Sung-Yeung Ki from the right by-line.
• 14:01 Gary Hooper takes a shot. Save by Craig Samson.
• 13:16 Paul McGowan challenges Sung-Yeung Ki unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Sung-Yeung Ki.
• 11:38 Outswinging corner taken by Charlie Mulgrew from the left by-line, clearance by Jeroen Tesselaar.
• 11:14 Marc McAusland takes a shot. Save by Fraser Forster.
• 10:53 Corner taken by Graham Carey from the right by-line played to the near post, clearance by Charlie Mulgrew.
• 10:25 Direct free kick taken by Lee Mair.
• 10:25 Booking Thomas Rogne receives a caution.
• 10:16 Thomas Rogne concedes a free kick for a foul on Jeroen Tesselaar.
• 10:06 Du-Ri Cha crosses the ball, clearance by Jeroen Tesselaar.
• 9:08 James Forrest concedes a free kick for a foul on Paul McGowan. Direct free kick taken by Marc McAusland.
• 8:00 Outswinging corner taken by Sung-Yeung Ki, Unfair challenge on Marc McAusland by Thomas Rogne results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Craig Samson.
• 7:46 Du-Ri Cha delivers the ball, blocked by Jeroen Tesselaar.
• 7:10 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Kenny McLean by Scott Brown. Jeroen Tesselaar restarts play with the free kick.
• 7:00 Du-Ri Cha sends in a cross, clearance made by Lee Mair.
• 2:05 Centre by Scott Brown, save made by Craig Samson.
• 0:19 Gary Hooper concedes a free kick for a foul on Lee Mair. Craig Samson restarts play with the free kick.
• 0:00 The referee gets the game started.

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