| Match Pictures | Matches: 2018 – 2019 | 2018-19 Pictures |
Trivia
- Midweek game; Celtic remain on top by 13pts over Sevco.
- Past few day been spent on the aftermath of another frantic Celtic v Sevco match which effectively sealed Celtic's title victory.
- Return to team for Christie, who sealed win with a goal. This boy is a star!
- Weah starts and gets a goal, but was the ball 100% over the line? Some say no.
- Big controversy: Some idiot flung firecrackers on to the pitch tonight, which spooked out the opposition goalie He's embarrassed our entire club, we've just went another three points closer to an eighth successive title and should be talking about our success not his idiotic behaviour. These people are becoming increasingly useful idiots for the politicians, police and media.
- Celtic interim boss Neil Lennon has insisted that Scott Brown didn’t mean to stamp on St Mirren’s Jim Kellerman.TV pictures appeared to show Brown leaving his foot in after being tackled by the Buddies man.But Lennon said: “It is totally accidental, it’s not deliberate at all. It’s not like he has raised his foot. It’s just on the follow-through from the tackle.
- "Health and safety of the players is paramount. And I don't think it's a necessity that anyone needs in the stadium." Neil Lennon has criticised Celtic fans for throwing a smoke bomb on to the pitch in tonight's 2-0 win over St Mirren.
- Angie Thomson the laundry lady at Celtic for over 30 years and a very popular member of staff, has passed away. Craig Burley: "For those who were lucky enough to play there will fondly remember what a character she was. Every morning at Celtic Park we'd go see her and put the kettle on. A wicked sense of humour. RIP Angie". Black armbands were worn in this match in honour of this very popular member of staff.
- A Scottish football match was halted as the referee threw up in the middle of the pitch on Wednesday night. Huntly’s Highland League clash with Lossiemouth at Christie Park was briefly held up as referee Paul McAvinue vomited in the centre circle shortly before the half-hour mark.
Review
Second half mind numbingly pish – Feck knows what goes on in the player's mindset and confidence – Again we totally lacked any ingenuity or creativity when it comes to breaking down teams that set up with two banks of defenders hoping to hit us on the break – What happened to trying to dribble by players and getting in behind the defence? – We pass and pass and pass both ways across the park like a metronome without doing anything positive – Same with someone having a decent hit from outside the box – You would think in the second half our players had never heard of these things
Last night as with Ajer's block against the huns Bain saved us with one good save and one good stop when the St.Mirren player should have scored – Fine margins saving Lennon and the team getting pelters – I fear the fine margins may go against us against the Sheep which is the season and history defining game now unless we up the ante big time in the next ten days or so,
Christie coming on lifted things – Good to see Benkovic get a short run out also – Hopefully those two plus Rogic getting fit will give us a lift as when we are bad we are crap.
Still 3 points nearer the 8 but that is about it for last night – Not one for the memory bank.
Teams
St Mirren
· 1Hladky
· 15Baird
· 35Ferdinand
· 16Popescu
· 33CorbuBooked at 38mins
· 4McGinn Substituted forLyonsat 64'minutes
· 28MacPherson
· 3Muzek
· 17Kellerman Substituted forMcGinnat 76'minutes
· 20Cooke
· 9Nazon Substituted forJacksonat 71'minutes
Substitutes
2McGinn
10Dreyer
11Jackson
14Lyons
18Mullen
23McAllister
26Holmes
Celtic
· 29Bain
· 23Lustig Substituted forBenkovicat 70'minutes
· 5SimunovicBooked at 84mins
· 35AjerBooked at 70mins
· 3Izaguirre
· 8Brown
· 21Ntcham Substituted forChristieat 63'minutes
· 49Forrest
· 42McGregor
· 30Weah Substituted forEdouardat 78'minutes
· 25Burke
Substitutes
2Toljan
11Sinclair
17Christie
18Rogic
22Edouard
24de Vries
32Benkovic
Goals
· Weah (15' minutes),
· Christie (85' minutes)
Referee:
Don Robertson
Attendance:
6,597
Articles
- Match Report (see end of page below)
Pictures
Forum
MOTM
- Voting Thread
- Result Thread
- Winner –
Stats
St Mirren
Celtic
Possession
Home45%
Away55%
Shots
Home4
Away18
Shots on Target
Home1
Away6
Corners
Home1
Away2
Fouls
Home10
Away12
Articles
St Mirren 0-2 Celtic: Another step closer to title but fans’ fireworks mar Celtic triumph
Alan Pattullo
Published: 22:13 Wednesday 03 April 2019
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/teams/celtic/st-mirren-0-2-celtic-another-step-closer-to-title-but-fans-fireworks-mar-celtic-triumph-1-4901315
Olivier Ntcham will have fonder memories of grounds. He missed a penalty last night having been sent off in the first-half of a 0-0 draw at St Mirren’s Simple Digital Arena earlier this season.
Neither episode inflicted lasting damage. Celtic are now just two wins away from an eighth successive title. Indeed, they could lift it as soon as Sunday providing they dispose of Livingston on Saturday and Rangers lose to Motherwell the following day.
The greatest threat to their ambitions could be said to be some of their own fans. A flashbang thrown on to the pitch from the away end after substitute Ryan Christie secured the points five minutes from time saw St Mirren goalkeeper Vaclav Hladky, who saved Ntcham’s penalty, require some treatment. He seemed understandably distressed and shocked.
Fortunately for everyone concerned, he was able to resume but this was another incident to blight a season where there have been too many such controversies, off the park and on it.
Neil Lennon will reflect on a serviceable display against a much-changed St Mirren side with bigger battles left to face. The Tannoy announcement that Dundee had lost 2-0 to St Johnstone got one of the biggest cheers of the night from the home fans.
The hosts remained contenders for a point until deep into the second-half. Manager Oran Kearney sensed this. He sent on Brad Lyons, who played a main part in Saturday’s crucial victory over Dundee, and then Simeon Jackson, the club’s top scorer this season. Duckens Nazon should have equalised after a quick free-kick while Scott Bain tipped Cody Cooke’s effort round the post.
Celtic also turned to the cavalry. Christie replaced Ntcham with just under half an hour to go for first appearance under Lennon after five weeks out injured. Odsonne Edouard replaced match winner Weah with just under 15 minutes left and likewise helped Celtic to another level.
Kearney had made six changes to the side that secured the vital weekend win in the hope the squad had sufficient strength in depth to cope with the champions-elect. Another six pointer against Hamilton Accies looms on Saturday.
Lennon, by contrast, made just three changes, which he attributed to weariness following the exertions of Sunday’s Old Firm clash. Oliver Burke was one of them, coming in for Odsonnne Edouard. Timo Weah was another, in for Jonny Hayes, and he got Celtic underway with a contentious goal after 15 minutes.
James Forrest played Lustig in and while his shot was saved by the onrushing Hladky the ball spun up into the air. Weah was the first to react and headed the ball towards goal. It hit the bar and came down before coming back into play again but referee Don Robertson awarded the goal, on the advice of his far side assistant Graham McNeillie.
The goal was the least they deserved but the visitors were guilty of some sloppiness in front of goal. Kristof Ajer should have burst the net rather than blaze high over after Lustig found him in space and with time to boot after an astute through ball. At least he has the excuse he is a defender. Burke started through the middle like an old-fashioned centre forward but while he caught the eye with his pace he struggled to provide the finishing product. Callum McGregor’s ball left him with ample time to pick his spot but he slashed his shot wide shortly after Celtic went in front.
But the chance of the opening half fell to Ntcham, who really did have all the time and space any footballer should require to score. Jim Kellermann was desperate to impress in what was his first start for the club despite having signed for Jack Ross, as many as three managers ago. His last start was while on loan for Fylde against Dover in December. So it was unfortunate indeed that he should be the one penalised for a harsh handball offence when the ball struck his arm as he attempted to clear.
Ntcham took the award and hit the ball too close to goalkeeper Hladky, who managed to block. The ball rebounded to Ntcham and he compounded things by hitting a shot just over but when under greater pressure this time.
Vaclav Hladky reacts after Celtic fans celebrating Ryan Christie's goal threw a flashbang. Picture: SNS Group
‘It could have damaged a player’ – Neil Lennon slams Celtic fans for throwing flashbang
Neil Lennon gave an update ahead of Celtic's clash with St Mirren at the Simple Digital Arena. Picture: SNS Group
Celtic boss Neil Lennon gives update on Dedryck Boyata and Kieran Tierney injuries
Burke started the second half as he did the first – by failing to find the finish required. Another McGregor through ball saw him one on one with Hladky but the ‘keeper did well to save with his feet.
But St Mirren were far from out of the picture. Indeed, they could and should have drawn level when Mihai Popescu played a quick free-kick through to Nazon, who dithered when trying to round Scott Bain and was eventually crowded out. Bain had earlier tipped Cooke’s effort round the post.
‘It could have damaged a player’ – Neil Lennon slams Celtic fans for throwing flashbang
Vaclav Hladky reacts after Celtic fans celebrating Ryan Christie's goal threw a flashbang. Picture: SNS Group
Vaclav Hladky reacts after Celtic fans celebrating Ryan Christie's goal threw a flashbang. Picture: SNS Group
Alan Pattullo
Published: 22:59 Wednesday 03 April 2019
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/teams/celtic/it-could-have-damaged-a-player-neil-lennon-slams-celtic-fans-for-throwing-flashbang-1-4901335
Neil Lennon has warned Celtic fans that throwing flashbangs onto the pitch is putting everyone at risk of harm, including their club’s own players.
The manager was angered that another controversial incident served to deflect the attention from Celtic moving to within two wins of the title after last night’s 2-0 win over St Mirren.
They could win the league as soon as this weekend if they beat Livingston and Rangers fall to defeat the following day against Motherwell.
But the main topic after the win at the Simple Digital Arena was another episode of fan misbehaviour. A flashbang thrown from the Celtic fans after Ryan Christie put his side two in front saw the game held up for several minutes. St Mirren ‘keeper Vaclav Hladky was understandably alarmed by the noise behind him. St Mirren manager Oran Kearney, who had already used all his substitutes, feared Hladky might be unable to continue.
Christie was also seen to jump as he made his way back up the park after celebrating.
“It serves no purpose in a football ground,” said Lennon. “I don’t see the motivation for anyone to bring a flashbang or pyrotechnic into a stadium. The health and safety of the players is paramount.
“It didn’t just spook the St Mirren ‘keeper, but some of our players too. Ryan was also spooked and the goalie could have burst an ear drum. It delays the game when we have scored a goal and want to get going again.
“It serves no purpose whatsoever. The club have made a real stand in condemning at times,” he added. “I don’t understand why people want to do that. There is no logic in it.
“Why does an individual want to bring that to a game? It doesn’t impress anyone, it doesn’t add anything.
“It just damages people – and it could have damaged a player. It damages the reputation of the good fans we have and we just don’t want it. It’s just totally uncalled for at a time when we should be enjoying football and hopefully having a big celebration in a week or two.”
Lennon praised his players for keeping their focus as they close in on the title. He was particularly pleased to be able to call on Christie for the first time since he returned as manager. The midfielder has been out for five weeks with a hamstring injury.
“Ryan brings a lot to the team,” he said. “There was spark, creativity and a bit pizzazz. He makes things happen and his enthusiasm gave us a big lift.”
BBC
By Andrew Southwick
BBC Scotland
From the section Scottish Premiership
Highlights: St Mirren 0-2 Celtic
Celtic took a step closer to retaining the Scottish Premiership title as they edged to a win over relegation-threatened St Mirren in Paisley.
If Neil Lennon's side beat Livingston on Saturday, Rangers would need at least a point at Motherwell the next day to keep the title race alive.
Timothy Weah's header crashed off the bar and bounced in to open the scoring – his fourth goal since signing.
Olivier Ntcham had a penalty saved but Ryan Christie found a late second.
With Rangers beating Hearts at Ibrox, the gap at the top remains at 13 points with just six games left to play.
Defeats for Hamilton and Dundee leave St Mirren's position unchanged in second-bottom as they fight to avoid the drop.
Lennon angry after pyrotechnic thrown on to pitch
Reaction & as it happened
One hand on the title
St Mirren manager Oran Kearney made six changes from the weekend win over Dundee, his rationale being that his side needed to be lively if they were to cause Celtic problems. And they needed that energy to chase the game after falling behind early.
Weah got up highest to head the ball off the bar and it bounced down before being clawed away by Vaclav Hladky. The St Mirren players were adamant it had not crossed the line, but referee Don Robertson was well positioned and awarded the goal.
Callum McGregor was in inspired form in midfield, at the centre of everything for the visitors. Minutes before the goal his through ball sent Kristoffer Ajer clear in the box, with the Norwegian defender blasting over. Then he picked out Oliver Burke who had just the goalkeeper to beat but horribly skewed his shot wide.
It was one-way traffic and St Mirren needed something to light a fuse under them. They got it when James Kellermann was penalised for handball in the box, awkwardly missing a header and the ball striking his flailing arm. His goalkeeper Hladky guessed correctly to push away Ntcham's spot-kick, before the Frenchman lobbed the rebound off the bar.
It was Celtic's fifth penalty miss of the season, and kept the game alive as the home side attempted to improve on just one win in 32 attempts against the league leaders.
However, Kearney would have been furious at how easily Burke was able to get his shot away despite the attention of three defenders. Anton Ferdinand's challenge in particular was half-hearted. But Hladky again bailed out a team-mate by deflecting the effort with his legs.
St Mirren briefly threatened an equaliser. Cody Cooke picked up a loose ball in midfield and hit a long-range shot that goalkeeper Scott Bain had to be at full-stretch for to push wide.
But the introductions of Christie and Odsonne Edouard breathed new life into Celtic, and the former clipped in a second goal via a slight deflection off a defender.
The game paused temporarily with Hladky somewhat spooked by an missile thrown from the Celtic end. When the game restarted, Paul McGinn had a shot cleared off the line as St Mirren went forward with a vengeance, but it was a short flurry with Celtic comfortably closing in on eight league titles in a row.
Ryan Christie, second right, netted on his comeback from injury
Ryan Christie, second right, netted on his comeback from injury
'St Mirren had opportunities' – analysis
Former Celtic goalkeeper Pat Bonner on BBC Sportsound
St Mirren will be disappointed because they had opportunities. And you've got to take your opportunities. They came into the game in the second half. Duckens Nazon will be disappointed after missing a couple of big chances.
'Complacency crept in' – reaction
St Mirren manager Oran Kearney: "You try and stay in the game for as long as possible. We had two or three good chances when it was 1-0. On nights like this, it's important to take them.
"We'd have liked to take something from the game but to come out all even in the league is good for us."
Celtic manager Neil Lennon: "A little bit of complacency crept in. Against any opposition it's always difficult when it's 1-0 but after the second goal we could sit back and relax.
"But it's another step towards the title. I was delighted with the players that came on who all put in very solid performances."