2019-01-23: Celtic 4-0 St Mirren, SP

Match Pictures | Matches: 2018 – 2019 | 2018-19 Pictures

Trivia

  • Back to the league
  • Celtic top of the league by 1pt over Killie, 3pts over Sevco. Celtic have game in hand. Killie defeated Sevco 2-1 tonight despite media bigging up their new big expensive loan signings (e.g. Dafoe).
  • Debut goals for Oliver Burke (his first game was last weekend), scored twice tonight.
  • Tim Weah scores another goal and is fast showing his worth.
  • Easy enough game, defence never tested.
  • Sinclair scores a penalty after a poor record of late (Missed last Saturday & v Aberdeen etc).
  • Game in hand v St Johnstone next Wednesday.
  • Post-Match: Rodgers believed by some to criticising club over signing of a player he is not involved with and doesn't know about really, but seeing the full interview it's not as it all seems. (Marvin Shved is the player in question)
  • Marvin Compper expected to be gone very soon, he wants away and has only played one match since his arrival. A poor transfer.
  • There have been concerns over the state of the new Celtic Park pitch (£1.5m cost) which was heralded at the start of the season (new Hybrid type etc). The turf was visibly cut up in places on Saturday Rodgers explained the situation: “There’s a disease in the surface so it’s unfortunate really."
  • Rumours: Celtic eyeing Porto defender Fernando Fonseca, who could be available for as little as £2 million.
  • Politics: Alex Salmond, ex-SNP leader and Scottish First Minister charged and arrested next day over allegations.

ReviewCeltic 4 St Mirren 0

(The man himself on KDS)
Another good team performance against weak opposition – but this is exactly what we need when we're trying to build enough momentum to get us over the line.

If we can maintain this level of performance, this run of mainly home games through to mid February will set us up well for Hearts (A), Aberdeen and Rangers (both home) by end March – and we should go into the split comfortably ahead of the rest.

Just need to ensure no dicking about with team selections & injuries.

Positives tonight:
* Bain in goal
* Christie excellent link up play despite taking a number of sore ones
* Burke looked like he's starting to gel with his team-mates
* Weah looks sharp and technically good (but sometimes seems to pass too quickly for his team-mates?)
* Henderson already looks a fine player at this level, constantly moving to receive the ball and immediately pass through the opposition

Negatives tonight:
* Referee
* Hacking opposition
* Cold

Teams

Celtic

  • 29Bain
  • 23Lustig
  • 35Ajer
  • 32Benkovic Booked at 58mins
  • 3Izaguirre
  • 8Brown
  • 42McGregor
  • 49Forrest
  • 17Christie Substituted forHendersonat 71'minutes
  • 11Sinclair
  • 25Burke Substituted forWeahat 64'minutes
    • Substitutes

    • 1Gordon
    • 5Simunovic
    • 6Bitton
    • 15Hayes
    • 30Weah
    • 52Henderson
    • 73Johnston

    Goals

    • Burke (11' minutes, 55' minutes),
    • Sinclair (18' minutes pen),
    • Weah (86' minutes)

    St Mirren

    · 1Hladky
    · 2McGinn
    · 15Baird
    · 16PopescuBooked at 88mins
    · 39Erhahon
    · 21Hodson
    Substituted forKellermanat 17'minutes
    · Substituted forMcAllisterat 72'minutes
    · 22Tansey
    · 14Lyons
    · 4McGinn
    · 8Flynn
    · 20Cooke
    · Substituted forJacksonat 59'minutes Substitutes · 11Jackson
    · 17Kellerman
    · 23McAllister
    · 26Holmes
    · 35Ferdinand
    Referee:
    Euan Anderson
    Attendance:
    54,821

Articles

  • Match Report (see end of page below)

Pictures

  • Match Pictures

Forum

MOTM

Stats

CelticAway TeamSt Mirren
Possession
Home72%
Away28%
Shots
Home20
Away1
Shots on Target
Home9
Away1
Corners
Home8
Away2
Fouls
Home14
Away9

Articles

Celtic 4-0 St Mirren: Oli Burke at the double as Hoops ease past Buddies

https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/teams/celtic/celtic-4-0-st-mirren-oli-burke-at-the-double-as-hoops-ease-past-buddies-1-4861506Andrew Smith
Published: 21:46 Wednesday 23 January 2019
There wasn’t just an ease to Celtic’s victory on Wednesday night, but a straightforward aspect as to the implications of it.

The one-sided success, underpinned by a double from Oliver Burke, allowed Brendan Rodgers men to appear once more solid in their status at the top of the Premiership table, courtesy of Rangers’ loss at Kilmarnock.

A turnaround that means they are now three points ahead of Steven Gerrard’s side, with Kilmarnock becoming their closest challengers. Both rivals have crucially played a game more.

There had been much talk of vulnerability in the camp of the eight-in-a-row chasing Parkhead side following the derby loss at Ibrox in their last league game. But that failed to recognise the start to 2019 that lay ahead for both Glasgow clubs. Last night was the first of five home games in a span of six in the league that had the potential to cement Celtic’s position.

Rodgers’ side have now won all 11 of their domestic games in their own backyard, conceding only four goals in the process. Their latest such success was preceded by an admission from Brendan Rodgers in a radio interview that the club were indeed pursuing a deal from Slovakian winger Maryan Shved. Yet another winger, might be the reaction of a Celtic support angst-ridden about the seeming inability to recruit a right-back.

It turned out that three of the wingers – of a total of six – already on the books of the Scottish champions had a stirring early impact that ensured a breeze in baltic conditions, with early goals from Burke – played through the middle – and Sinclair, while James Forrest made much of the early running.

It was no great surprise that St Mirren proved a sacrificial dish for the home side to feast upon. The Paisley club have had meagre servings of highlights in their six months under Orian Kearney, even if these have proved sufficient to see them leave Dundee below them at the foot of the table. Even if they pull of a notable act of escapology at the weekend in recovering from a two-goal deficit with 10-men against Alloa Athletic in the Scottish Cup, the fact they had lost 12 of their previous 16 games always suggested that they would straight-jacketed by Rodgers side last night.

The problem was that they helped tie themselves in knots. In the 11th minute, Burke was given the freedom of the six-yard box to launch himself at a free-kick delivered from deep on the right by Ryan Christie. His headed contact was neither that clean nor powerful. Equally, it was close enough to Vaclav Hladky for the keeper to pat at it. Unfortunately for the Czech, he merely pushed it over his goalline.

For Burke, there was a palpable sense of relief as he celebrated wildly. Only the second senior goal in almost 18 months for the on-loan West Bromwich Albion attacker, his move north this month to get his career back on track has proved a cry for help answered by Rodgers courtesy of the forward being handed back-to-back starts. Subsequent to his goal, he looked a player renewed, a brilliant take and turn shortly afterwards setting up Callum McGregor for a glaring opening he squandered with an effort slashed wildly over.

St Mirren’s night had by then gone from bad to worse in rapid order; first with the enforced withdrawal on a stretcher of midfielder Lee Hodson, and then with the concession of a penalty a minute later. The 17th minute award proved an easy decision for referee Euan Anderson to make with Stephen McGinn haplessly whipping the feet from the jinking Sinclair.

There was no hesitation in the Englishman stepping up to take it – as he said there wouldn’t been in the aftermath of his missing a second spot-kick in the space of five weeks that helped deprive him a hat-trick in the 3-0 Scottish Cup win over Airdrieonians. A staggered run-up allowed him to take aim and plon the ball high into the corner to ensure there would be no hat-trick of the unwanted variety.

Celtic were thereafter rampant; St Mirren ragged. The Paisley side’s defending threatened to prove as porous as a colander as the home side pored forward.

It was a minor miracle that the scoreline remained 2-0 at the break but that was always going to be a temporary state of affairs. It took Celtic nine minutes to extended their lead and this time a certain sympathy had to be extended to keeper Hladky over his being beaten. For he pulled off an excellent double save, thwarting Forrest before somehow palming away McGregor’s quick-fire attempt only for Burke to drill in the loose ball.
The base of the post then saved the visitors, with Timothy Weah – Burke’s replacement just after the hour – smacking a first-time effort against it shortly after his arrival to a rapturous welcome. However, the on-loan Paris-Saint Germain forward wasn’t to be denied a second goal in two games, though. And played in by an exquisite through ball from fellow teenage substitute Ewan Henderson, the US international guided a delicate first-time effort in at the near post. By then, the Celtic support were in full joyous mode as news filtered through about events at Rugby Park while things went from bad to worse for the Buddies, who now anchor the Premiership after Dundee’s win at Tynecastle.

Celtic: Bain; Lustig, Ajer, Benkovic, Izaguirre; Brown; Forrest, McGregor, Christie (Henderson 71), Sinclair; Burke (Weah 64). Subs not used: Gordon, Simunovic, Bitton, Hayes, Johnston.

St Mirren: Hladky; P McGinn, Baird, Popescu; Hodson (Kellerman 16 (McAllister 72)); Tansey, Lyons, S McGinn, Flynn; Cooke (Jackson 59). Subs not used: Holmes, Ferdinand.

BBC
From the section Scottish Premiership

Highlights: Celtic 4-0 St Mirren

Celtic moved a point clear in the Scottish Premiership as Oliver Burke scored his first goals for the club.

Brendan Rodgers' side now lead Kilmarnock, who beat Rangers, after a victory that causes St Mirren to drop to bottom spot.

On-loan West Bromwich Albion forward Burke scored an early header, then added the third after the break.

In between, Scott Sinclair won and converted a penalty, before substitute Timothy Weah completed the scoring.

Visitors St Mirren were well beaten, with Celtic dominant in midfield and brightly creative in the final third.

The movement of Burke, Sinclair and James Forrest, allied to the promptings of Ryan Christie, ensured a comfortable win, and Weah twice almost added to the Celtic's lead before finally making his mark.

'Big talent' Burke will improve further – Rodgers
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Listen: Sportsound podcast

Burke leads from the front

Celtic quickly took command, controlling possession and establishing a foothold in the St Mirren half.

The visitors intended to be well-organised and disciplined, but Celtic's attackers were in no mood to be stifled. Burke led by example.

He is powerful and quick, but there is deftness to his movement. He offered a focal point in attack – and was capable of holding up the ball – but also moved into channels and created space for Sinclair and Forrest to break into from the flanks.

The opening goal demanded striker's instincts, and he moved into the right position inside the penalty area to meet Christie's free-kick and head the ball past Vaclav Hladky, who should have done better than meekly palm the ball into the net.

As Burke led the line, Sinclair became emboldened. One run carried him in from the left and his quick feet befuddled Stephen McGinn, who brought him down. Sinclair converted the penalty and soon after had another effort pushed away by the St Mirren goalkeeper.

Burke was the focal point, though, and one spin on the edge of the area brought the time and space to create an opening for Callum McGregor, who blasted over.
Celtic striker Timothy Weah scores against St Mirren
Celtic substitute Timothy Weah scored his second goal in two games for the club

St Mirren tried to be composed on the ball, and there were elements of their play that will have pleased manager Oran Kearney, but they could not contain Celtic.

After the break, Burke added his second when the ball fell to him in the penalty area after McGregor's shot was blocked. Burke finished with composure and power.

He was replaced by Weah, who hit a post – albeit from an offside position – and had another effort saved by Hladky before eventually scoring after a fine through ball by fellow substitute Ewan Henderson.
Celtic in cruise control – analysis

BBC Scotland's Martin Dowden at Celtic Park

A canter, a stroll, a procession. Any of these comfortably describe a Celtic performance in which they were in complete control throughout. The only surprise was that they did not significantly add to their tally as they camped for long spells in the opposition half.

Of course, Celtic will face stiffer opposition but all of a sudden they appear to have considerable options up front with more to be integrated in the coming weeks.

Burke, in particular, he must be thrilled at getting games and taking advantage after a frustrating time at West Bromwich Albion. He relished the standing ovation he received when replaced by Weah, who has also made an immediate impact.

This was a night to forget for the travelling support, though, with a lot of work ahead for Kearney.
'We challenge the lads to bounce back' – reaction

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: "I said to the players that it's always the mark of good teams that you play well at the weekend but then put in a better performance in your midweek game.

"I thought defensively we worked very hard, compact, pressed the game well, very co-ordinated, then really worked the ball well, showing patience but also the ability to create chances."

St Mirren manager Oran Kearney: "You have to pay respect to the level they're at and to come here and go gung ho you can easily get spanked six, seven, eight.

"It's the second time [St Mirren moved to the bottom] this season [but] there's a huge amount of football to be played."
Match ends, Celtic 4, St. Mirren 0.
Full Time
Posted at 90'+3'
Second Half ends, Celtic 4, St. Mirren 0.
Posted at 90'+2'
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Simeon Jackson.
Posted at 90'+2'
Attempt blocked. James Forrest (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Posted at 90'+1'
Attempt saved. James Forrest (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
Posted at 89'
Attempt missed. Mikael Lustig (Celtic) right footed shot from the right side of the box is too high.
Posted at 89'
Attempt saved. James Forrest (Celtic) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box is saved in the bottom right corner.
Booking
Posted at 88'
Mihai Popescu (St. Mirren) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Posted at 88'
Timothy Weah (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 88'
Foul by Mihai Popescu (St. Mirren).
Goal!
Posted at 86'
Goal! Celtic 4, St. Mirren 0. Timothy Weah (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Ewan Henderson.
Posted at 86'
Attempt blocked. Scott Sinclair (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Posted at 81'
Foul by Ewan Henderson (Celtic).
Posted at 81'
Greg Tansey (St. Mirren) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 80'
Corner, St. Mirren. Conceded by Ewan Henderson.
Posted at 79'
Corner, St. Mirren. Conceded by Kristoffer Ajer.
Posted at 77'
Attempt missed. Scott Sinclair (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right.
Posted at 77'
Attempt blocked. Callum McGregor (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Posted at 73'
Timothy Weah (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 73'
Foul by Mihai Popescu (St. Mirren).
Substitution
Posted at 72'
Substitution, St. Mirren. Kyle McAllister replaces Jim Kellerman because of an injury.
Substitution
Posted at 71'
Substitution, Celtic. Ewan Henderson replaces Ryan Christie.
Posted at 71'
Foul by James Forrest (Celtic).
Posted at 71'
Ethan Erhahon (St. Mirren) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Posted at 68'
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Václav Hladky.
Posted at 68'
Attempt saved. Timothy Weah (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
Substitution
Posted at 64'
Substitution, Celtic. Timothy Weah replaces Oliver Burke.
Posted at 63'
Hand ball by Ryan Christie (Celtic).
Posted at 61'
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Mihai Popescu.
Substitution
Posted at 59'
Substitution, St. Mirren. Simeon Jackson replaces Cody Cooke.
Booking
Posted at 58'
Filip Benkovic (Celtic) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Posted at 58'
Foul by Filip Benkovic (Celtic).
Posted at 58'
Brad Lyons (St. Mirren) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Goal!
Posted at 55'
Goal! Celtic 3, St. Mirren 0. Oliver Burke (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal.
Posted at 53'
Foul by Scott Sinclair (Celtic).
Posted at 53'
Paul McGinn (St. Mirren) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 48'
Foul by Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic).
Posted at 48'
Jim Kellerman (St. Mirren) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Second Half
Posted at
Second Half begins Celtic 2, St. Mirren 0.
Half Time
Posted at 45'+4'
First Half ends, Celtic 2, St. Mirren 0.
Posted at 45'+4'
Attempt saved. Stephen McGinn (St. Mirren) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Posted at 45'+3'
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Paul McGinn.
Posted at 45'+2'
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Jim Kellerman.
Posted at 45'+1'
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Mihai Popescu.
Posted at 44'
Attempt missed. Callum McGregor (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left.
Posted at 42'
Attempt saved. Mikael Lustig (Celtic) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top left corner.
Posted at 41'
Scott Sinclair (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Posted at 41'
Foul by Paul McGinn (St. Mirren).
Posted at 39'
Foul by Kristoffer Ajer (Celtic).
Posted at 39'
Greg Tansey (St. Mirren) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 38'
Foul by Scott Sinclair (Celtic).
Posted at 38'
Mihai Popescu (St. Mirren) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 35'
Attempt blocked. James Forrest (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Posted at 32'
Scott Brown (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 32'
Foul by Greg Tansey (St. Mirren).
Posted at 32'
Foul by Kristoffer Ajer (Celtic).
Posted at 32'
Cody Cooke (St. Mirren) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 31'
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Posted at 30'
Delay in match Cody Cooke (St. Mirren) because of an injury.
Posted at 30'
Attempt missed. Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic) right footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the right.
Posted at 28'
Attempt missed. Mikael Lustig (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high following a corner.
Posted at 28'
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Stephen McGinn.
Posted at 27'
Attempt saved. Scott Sinclair (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
Posted at 25'
Attempt missed. Callum McGregor (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box is just a bit too high.
Posted at 24'
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Ryan Flynn.
Posted at 24'
Callum McGregor (Celtic) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Posted at 24'
Foul by Stephen McGinn (St. Mirren).
Posted at 22'
Foul by Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic).
Posted at 22'
Brad Lyons (St. Mirren) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 20'
Mikael Lustig (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 20'
Foul by Ryan Flynn (St. Mirren).
Posted at 20'
Jim Kellerman (St. Mirren) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Posted at 20'
Foul by Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic).
Goal!
Posted at 18'
Goal! Celtic 2, St. Mirren 0. Scott Sinclair (Celtic) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom left corner.
Substitution
Posted at 17'
Substitution, St. Mirren. Jim Kellerman replaces Lee Hodson because of an injury.
Posted at 17'
Penalty conceded by Jack Baird (St. Mirren) after a foul in the penalty area.
Posted at 17'
Penalty Celtic. Scott Sinclair draws a foul in the penalty area.
Posted at 16'
Foul by Greg Tansey (St. Mirren).
Posted at 16'
Ryan Christie (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Posted at 15'
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Posted at 13'
Delay in match Lee Hodson (St. Mirren) because of an injury.
Posted at 13'
Foul by Ryan Christie (Celtic).
Posted at 13'
Lee Hodson (St. Mirren) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Goal!
Posted at 11'
Goal! Celtic 1, St. Mirren 0. Oliver Burke (Celtic) header from very close range to the high centre of the goal. Assisted by Ryan Christie with a cross following a set piece situation.
Posted at 11'
Foul by Ethan Erhahon (St. Mirren).
Posted at 11'
James Forrest (Celtic) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Posted at 9'
Attempt missed. Scott Sinclair (Celtic) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the left misses to the left.
Posted at 8'
Ryan Flynn (St. Mirren) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 8'
Foul by Callum McGregor (Celtic).
Posted at 3'
Foul by Kristoffer Ajer (Celtic).
Posted at 3'
Cody Cooke (St. Mirren) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Kick Off
Posted at
First Half begins.
Lineups are announced and players are warming up.