Second-half targets from Cameron Carter Vickers and captain Callum McGregor noticed Celtic journey out St Mirren 2-0 at Parkhead to keep up their three-point lead over champions Rangers on the prime of the Scottish Premier League.
After a irritating 45 minutes in Glasgow, the house facet lastly took a deserved lead 10 minutes into the primary half when Carter Vickers fired house from shut vary after the guests did not clear a free kick.
Then, dropping from the sting of the field, McGregor confirmed Celtic’s victory with 9 minutes remaining, with Anzhi Postecoglou’s facet staying forward of Rangers with simply 9 video games left this season.
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How did Celtic keep on the prime of the desk
Callum McGregor celebrates Celtic’s 2-0 win in opposition to St Mirren
Postecoglou had warned that the leaders would face powerful competitors in each sport of the tour as each group within the league performs for one thing, and St Mirren delivered simply that.
Previous to the match, solely Celtic had collected extra Premier League factors than St Mirren in 2023, though Associates performed a sport lower than most groups.
Celtic have been as soon as once more with out Giorgos Giacomakis, who missed Sunday’s goalless draw with Hibernian because of sickness, and missed being within the penalty space at instances.
St Mirren coach Stephen Robinson lined up 5 defenders with additional safety from Alan Energy and Alex Djojic within the midfield. Greg Keelty and Jordan Jones have been tasked with supporting lone striker Curtis Mayne once they weren’t tied to defensive duties themselves.
St Mirren acquired an early break when Charles Dunn lower his bar after a Jota cross.
The Portuguese winger rapidly made two good probabilities from the left. Lille Abada’s effort was blocked by Jack Alnwick, and Josip Juranović was very excessive with a ferocious effort for the primary time from outdoors the field.
Cameron Carter Vickers celebrates after opening the scoring for Celtic
Richard Tate’s low cross brought on some hazard on the opposite finish however Joe Hart tackled it in the long run.
Celtic’s finest likelihood within the first half got here from a free move. Goalkeeper Daisen Maeda was knocked off to fulfill a direct free kick from Matt O’Reilly however ran vast.
There have been clear indicators of discomfort within the house help and clear alternatives proved elusive within the closing levels of the half.
Maeda and Jota each headed for the objective with their backs to the objective and Alnwick made a meal of dodging a curling effort.
Frustration was most heard proper after the break when Celtic misplaced possession with a brief nook kick and McGregor was pressured to take a reservation to stop Jones from breaking.
Quickly a extra direct group led to the editorial. Jota was turned over from the suitable after being fouled by Scott Tanser and Karl Starvelt acquired his first name earlier than Carter Vickers shot house from contained in the six-yard space.
Postecoglou introduced within the likes of Tom Rojic, James Forrest and Celtic continued to play the vast majority of the match within the St. Mirren half with out bragging about their fluency.
The cushion got here after break proper from Yoranovic, who finally fell his width in entrance of McGregor to hit the far nook from 14 yards.
Postecoglou introduced Karamoko Dembele within the late levels of the striker’s debut since struggling a damaged ankle in pre-season.
Postecoglou was delighted as Celtic stored their cool at tense Parkhead to defeat St Mirren
Celtic supervisor Ange Postecoglou:
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Angie Postecoglou paid tribute to Celtic’s persistence as they defeated courageous St Mirren 2-0 at Celtic Park.
“I am glad the gamers stored their focus. It was one other sport the place we had a variety of ball, they sat actually deep and it was simple for us to get anxious and search for various things to do.
“However we mentioned in some unspecified time in the future within the second half that they have been going to get drained or lose some focus and we simply have to maintain going. I believe we did that and we managed the sport rather well. I do not assume they’ve an opportunity on objective.
“I have been pleased with the gamers’ focus. It is a large a part of it now. That is what it is all about at this level within the season, staying centered and never being distracted by noises or different feelings that is likely to be proven by folks outdoors.
“We have been actually good at it to be honest, there have solely been two video games the place we have now been actually annoyed.
“It felt like regardless that we did not hit the early goal, we have been in management and so they did not actually have a risk to go the opposite means, so it was only a fixed investigation and ready for our likelihood.”
Robinson: Create minimal probabilities till objective
Saint Mary’s Director Stephen Robinson:
“They’d a variety of possession in entrance of us however I assumed defensively we have been wonderful, actually, rather well organized.
“They created minimal probabilities as much as the objective.
“The irritating factor was that there have been two bouncers within the field, one fell on them and the second got here from Conor McCarthy’s face and went straight to Callum McGregor.
“If you are going to come to Celtic Park and lose, normally your nice objective is 30 yards or a little bit of compound play.
“We did not land on the ball and performed rather a lot, we might be braver in coping with the ball and that is the massive factor I’ve realized from the 2 earlier video games and it is one thing we have now to be higher at.”
What then?
Celtic will return to the Scottish Premier League on Sunday at 12pm as they journey to face Livingston, dwell. Sky Sports activities.
St Mirren subsequent face Ross County within the Scottish Premier League on Saturday at 3pm.
Sunday March 6 11:00 AM
Departure at 12:00 midday
