| Match Pictures | Matches: 2012 – 2013 | 2012-13 Pictures |
Trivia
- Celtic remain on top
- Nice to finally win a home match.
- A strange protest by GBs with a mass timed photo taking at game. Supposedly highlights police taking pictures of GB members. Say what you like but it has brought the issue out to be discussed again.
- Rumours of a new transfer in, nothing confirmed. Then rejected and so on! Silly season has began.
- Celtic have now gone 22 goals against St Mirren in matches against them without conceding!
Review
(al1967 of KDS)
A home win, good performance and three points.
Seemed to play with a lot more drive and determination. Dominated the game, however an earlier second goal would help calm the nerves, well for me. As the game went on kept getting a that there would a slip up or mistake to let them in.
Wish we would vary the corners a bit. Had a number of them and it seemed to be the same routine throughtout, Hooper on the goal line and four players about 16 yards out. Also interesting to notice Wilson does not come up for corners. Assume this is because his pace is needed at the back.
Seems the usual SFA standards are back with the refs.
Teams
Celtic
01 Forster
02 Matthews
04 Ambrose (Izaguirre – 72' )
06 Wilson
21 Mulgrew
23 Lustig
08 Brown
33 Kayal (McCourt – 85' )
67 Wanyama
09 Samaras (Nouioui – 76' )
88 Hooper
Substitutes
24 Zaluska
03 Izaguirre
25 Rogne
20 McCourt
07 Miku
11 Nouioui
32 Watt
St Mirren
01 Samson
02 van Zanten
03 Dummett
14 McAusland
06 Goodwin Booked
08 Robertson (Guy – 82' )
17 Mclean
21 Teale
07 Imrie
09 Thompson (Parkin – 74' )
29 J McGinn
Substitutes
12 Smith
23 Barron
10 McGowan
11 Carey
19 Parkin
20 Reilly
27 Guy
Goals
- Wanyama 15′
- Hooper 83′
Ref: Murray
Att: 47,790
Articles
- Match Report (see end of page below)
- Audio Report: Paradise Report
Pictures
Forum
MOTM
- Voting Thread
- Result Thread
- Winner –
- 2012-13 Winners
Stats
Celtic St Mirren
Possession
34% 66%
90mins
Shots
17 3
On target
10 1
Corners
14 2
Fouls
3 7
Articles
Celtic 2 St Mirren 0: Twenty-two and counting as men from Paisley continue to toil
The Herald
Glasgow was revelling in its status as European city of culture, Germany was re-unified, Gazza wept buckets at the World Cup – and St Mirren beat Celtic 3-0 at Parkhead.
The Paisley side have not enjoyed a victory in the east end of Glasgow since and after just 15 minutes of this encounter the seeds of another defeat were sown. It's now 22 years and counting and there is a further significance to that number which won't make pleasant reading for yersterday's visiting fans. During Danny Lennon's 30-month stint in charge, the aggregate scoreline reads Celtic 22 St Mirren 0.
The hosts were never going to rack up that volume of goals in one sitting yesterday but they should have added four or five to the tally. Craig Samson, the St Mirren keeper, pulled off a series of fine saves while the home side had what manager Neil Lennon described as "two blatant penalties" waved aside.
It wasn't until Gary Hooper jabbed in a second goal with six minutes remaining that the points were sealed, but it was a just reward for Celtic's complete and utter dominance. This was the champions' first league win on their own turf since early October and helped forge a four-point lead at the top with a game in hand. "I'd still like to see us put teams away a bit earlier and if that comes in I think we'll be rampant," added a largely satisfied Lennon.
St Mirren, meanwhile, came looking for a point and left with nothing. Given the dismal record against Celtic, the wariness of their approach was perhaps understandable. "We came here with a gameplan and if we'd come away with a 0-0 it would have been a job well done," said the skipper, Jim Goodwin. "But to get beat 2-0 and not really contribute anything is disappointing. Celtic beat us 5-0 at home in the last game so that was in our minds. We know it's dull and boring but other teams have been successful playing this way and we tried to adopt it."
The visitors seemed to have a cast of thousands strung across the back line as they shaped up to repel the inevitable early assault but the defences were almost breached within the opening four minutes as the returning Victor Wanyama sent in a header that was bundled to safety by Samson.
Hooper then had a decent shout for a penalty on 14 minutes as St Mirren continued to creak. They would finally break just a few seconds later. Charlie Mulgrew hurled over a corner from the left and Wanyama eventually prodded the ball into the net after his initial header had been superbly blocked on the line by Samson.
After that Celtic, not for the first time this season, struggled to make any further inroads and St Mirren's dogged resistance proved to be a source of increasing frustration. Samaras twice came close, while a St Mirren foray into enemy territory was as rare as a week without a Kenny Shiels controversy but, as the half-time whistle sounded, they were still just a single goal down.
When the margin is that slender, there is always hope and Kenny McLean had an opportunity to bolster this sense of optimism just minutes after the resumption but, having twisted nicely on to his left foot, he thrashed his drive from the edge of the box.
Apart from a low shot from John McGinn, that was it as far as the threat went and Celtic swiftly took charge again. Samson saved superbly at point-blank range from Brown, Mikael Lustig had a thundering header against the bar and Mulgrew went close with a free-kick. The tin lid was finally put on proceedings in the 84th minute when Hooper pounced on a favourable ricochet to swivel and lash in from six yards.
BBC
By Kheredine Idessane BBC Scotland at Celtic Park
Comments (43)
Celtic moved four points clear at the top of the Scottish Premier League with victory against St Mirren.
Victor Wanyama fired the hosts in front from Charlie Mulgrew's corner on the quarter-hour mark.
Mikael Lustig went close for Celtic after the break, crashing a header against the St Mirren crossbar.
Mulgrew's curling free-kick slipped past the post before Gary Hooper sealed all three points for Neil Lennon's side with a tap-in late in the match.
Play media
It was Celtic's first win at home in the league in over two months, and just the result the club was looking for as the focus now moves onto Friday's draw for the Champions League last-16.
It was one-way traffic for most of the match, with Celtic forcing a corner-count into double figures before the interval, and the home side claiming for at least five penalties, two of which Lennon felt should definitely have been given.
Celtic had something to show for all their pressure and possession after just 15 minutes.
Mulgrew's corner was met by Wanyama's powerful header, and despite a fine save from Craig Samson in the Saints' goal, the Kenyan immediately despatched the rebound for his seventh goal of the season.
The St Mirren keeper was also called into action by Georgios Samaras, as he dived low to his right to palm away the Greek striker's shot. Before that, Samaras had curled a fine effort just wide.
The hosts should have been enjoying a two-goal lead five minutes after the break when a Samaras cross was headed down to Scott Brown by Hooper.
Play media
But the Celtic captain's diving header was somehow saved by Samson right on his own goal-line.
Another Brown effort was blocked away shortly afterwards as Celtic sought the second goal their play promised.
It was almost delivered by Swedish defender Mikael Lustig just after the hour but he headed Mulgrew's corner off the crossbar.
Would Celtic regret all these near misses? There were a few home hearts in mouths when keeper Fraser Forster was forced to make his first meaningful save to keep out John McGinn's low shot.
But, after Mulgrew flashed a free kick narrowly wide for Celtic, the second goal they craved duly arrived seven minutes from time.
Again it was from a corner, again the Saints defence failed to clear; and this time Hooper was on hand to lift the ball high into the net from just a couple of yards out.
The striker passed up the chance to grab a double in the closing seconds when Samson saved his low shot, but the points were already safe.
So, Celtic's attention now turns to Switzerland, and that Champions League draw.
Mulgrew says he wants a "Battle of Britain" against Manchester United. Sir Alex Ferguson has already been in touch with Lennon to have a nice bottle of red wine waiting if their paths do indeed cross.
Live Text Commentary
90:00 +3:05 Full time
Full Time The referee blows for the end of the match.
90:00 +2:46
Unfair challenge on Dougie Imrie by Victor Wanyama results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Jim Goodwin.
90:00 +2:31
Gary Hooper takes a shot. Save made by Craig Samson.
90:00 +1:27
Foul by John McGinn on Victor Wanyama, free kick awarded. Mikael Lustig takes the free kick.
87:07
The assistant referee signals for offside against Lewis Guy. Fraser Forster restarts play with the free kick.
84:54 Substitution
Substitution Patrick McCourt on for Beram Kayal.
82:51
The assist for the goal came from Charlie Mulgrew.
82:51 Goal scored
Goal – Gary Hooper – Celtic 2 – 0 St Mirren Gary Hooper scores a goal from close in to the top left corner of the goal. Celtic 2-0 St Mirren.
82:26
Corner taken by Charlie Mulgrew from the left by-line,
81:32 Substitution
Substitution Jon Robertson goes off and Lewis Guy comes on.
80:53
Outswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Charlie Mulgrew, clearance by Paul Dummett.
80:26
Scott Brown takes a shot from 12 yards. Jon Robertson gets a block in.
78:08
Strike on goal comes in from Charlie Mulgrew from the free kick.
78:08 Booking
Booking Jim Goodwin receives a caution for unsporting behaviour.
78:03
Gary Hooper fouled by Jim Goodwin, the ref awards a free kick.
75:58 Substitution
Substitution Georgios Samaras goes off and Lassad Nouioui comes on.
73:32 Substitution
Substitution Sam Parkin joins the action as a substitute, replacing Steven Thompson.
73:16
Shot from just outside the box by Georgios Samaras misses to the right of the target.
72:54
Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Adam Matthews by John McGinn. Adam Matthews takes the direct free kick.
71:48 Substitution
Substitution Emilio Izaguirre comes on in place of Efe Ambrose.
71:22
Gary Teale has an effort at goal from just outside the box which goes wide of the right-hand upright.
71:04
Short corner taken by Gary Teale from the left by-line.
68:56
Georgios Samaras takes a shot. Paul Dummett gets a block in.
66:25
Shot by John McGinn. Save by Fraser Forster.
63:52
David van Zanten crosses the ball, save made by Fraser Forster.
62:23
Inswinging corner taken by Charlie Mulgrew, Mikael Lustig takes a shot.
61:26
Victor Wanyama takes a shot. Save by Craig Samson.
59:50
Corner from the left by-line taken by Charlie Mulgrew, Gary Teale manages to make a clearance.
59:31
Charlie Mulgrew takes the inswinging corner, clearance by Marc McAusland.
59:14
Beram Kayal takes a shot. Jon Robertson gets a block in.
58:59
The ball is delivered by Steven Thompson, Scott Brown makes a clearance.
56:40
Scott Brown takes a shot. Paul Dummett gets a block in.
54:10
The ball is sent over by John McGinn.
53:34
The assistant referee flags for offside against Victor Wanyama. Craig Samson takes the indirect free kick.
52:50
Gary Teale challenges Georgios Samaras unfairly and gives away a free kick. Charlie Mulgrew restarts play with the free kick.
50:05
Gary Hooper takes a shot. Craig Samson makes a brilliant save.
48:51
Unfair challenge on Scott Brown by Dougie Imrie results in a free kick. Free kick crossed left-footed by Charlie Mulgrew, David van Zanten manages to make a clearance.
48:03
Kenny McLean takes a shot from just inside the penalty box which clears the bar.
46:47
Dougie Imrie is caught offside. Free kick taken by Mikael Lustig.
46:08
Steven Thompson concedes a free kick for a foul on Victor Wanyama. Mikael Lustig takes the direct free kick.
45:01
The referee starts the second half.
45:00 +0:09 Half time
Half Time The ref blows to end the first period.
44:40
Corner taken left-footed by Charlie Mulgrew, Marc McAusland manages to make a clearance.
40:55
Corner taken left-footed by Charlie Mulgrew from the left by-line, Steven Thompson makes a clearance.
40:05
Charlie Mulgrew produces a left-footed shot from just outside the area that goes harmlessly over the target.
38:17
Corner taken by Charlie Mulgrew.
36:51
Outswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Charlie Mulgrew, Shot from deep inside the area by Efe Ambrose goes over the bar.
36:02
Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Adam Matthews by Dougie Imrie. Charlie Mulgrew takes the direct free kick.
31:41
Free kick awarded for a foul by Beram Kayal on Jim Goodwin. Craig Samson takes the direct free kick.
30:17
Georgios Samaras takes the chance to get an effort at goal. Save made by Craig Samson.
29:02
Kenny McLean crosses the ball, Charlie Mulgrew makes a clearance.
28:00
Scott Brown concedes a free kick for a foul on Kenny McLean. Free kick crossed right-footed by Gary Teale from left wing, Fraser Forster makes a save.
26:50
Effort from the edge of the area by Georgios Samaras goes wide of the right-hand post.
22:25
Outswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Charlie Mulgrew, Steven Thompson makes a clearance.
19:44
The ball is crossed by Charlie Mulgrew.
14:45
The assist for the goal came from Charlie Mulgrew.
14:45 Goal scored
Goal – Victor Wanyama – Celtic 1 – 0 St Mirren Victor Wanyama finds the net with a goal from inside the six-yard box to the bottom right corner of the goal. Celtic 1-0 St Mirren.
14:09
Inswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Charlie Mulgrew.
12:55
Mikael Lustig produces a cross, Marc McAusland manages to make a clearance.
7:50
Corner taken by Charlie Mulgrew from the right by-line, Steven Thompson makes a clearance.
6:32
A cross is delivered by Gary Teale, Charlie Mulgrew manages to make a clearance.
5:50
Adam Matthews produces a left-footed shot from just outside the area that goes harmlessly over the target.
4:26
The ball is crossed by Charlie Mulgrew, save made by Craig Samson.
3:58
Charlie Mulgrew takes a inswinging corner to the near post.
3:31
Corner taken left-footed by Charlie Mulgrew from the right by-line, clearance made by Marc McAusland.
2:17
Corner taken by Gary Teale played to the near post.
1:49
The ball is crossed by Steven Thompson.
0:00
The referee gets the game started.
Live text and data provided by The Press Association