Celtic snatched victory from the jaws of defeat as Oh Hyeon-gyu’s decisive goal sealed a win against a tenacious St Mirren side.
Celtic’s manager, Brendan Rodgers, praised his team’s perseverance, highlighted by Oh Hyeon-gyu’s crucial late goal, enabling the frontrunners to overturn a deficit and claim victory over a determined St Mirren team.
The match opened with St Mirren’s Conor McMenamin heading in an early lead, only for Celtic’s David Turnbull to equalize with a sublime shot from outside the penalty area.
Despite failing to convert a penalty kick at the stroke of half-time, Celtic kept up the pressure, culminating in Oh’s shot slipping past Zach Hemming in the closing minutes, confirming a triumph that kept Celtic at the summit of the Scottish Premiership.
St Mirren could have closed the gap on the leaders but remain positioned third, the defeat notwithstanding.
Rodgers commented post-match, “It’s about that grind in these tight games,” admiring the team’s composure and quality, especially in the crucial moments. “Amidst a hectic schedule, clinching such wins is essential,” he added.
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Podcast: A night of high drama dissected
Robinson urged his team to escalate their performance for this clash, and they did not disappoint, applying immediate pressure.
They were soon rewarded when Greg Kiltie’s cross met McMenamin, who slipped away from Celtic’s defence to head the ball past Joe Hart.
Turnbull, stepping in for the injured Reo Hatate, showcased his prowess with a stunning goal after being set up by Matt O’Riley, momentarily calming the home fans’ nerves.
Yet, his subsequent penalty miss, after a VAR review for Alex Gogic’s handball, was a missed opportunity to ease Celtic ahead.
As the game wore on, James Forrest and Yang Hyun-Jun were both thwarted by Hemming in quick succession, as Celtic sought the elusive winning goal.
Celtic dominated possession and territory but were continuously challenged by a St Mirren side that wasn’t ready to concede.
The breakthrough arrived when substitutes Odin Thiago Holm and Oh Hyeon-gyu linked up, with the latter delivering a potent finish to secure the win.
Player of the Match – Oh Hyeon-gyu (Celtic)
Stepping up when it matters, Oh’s performance earned him the spotlight. His goal stands as a potential turning point in his career with Celtic.
Oh seizes opportunity with key goal – analysis
Following a tepid draw with Hibernian, Celtic’s energy levels were a focal point. Rodgers’s tactical shuffles, intended to refresh the team, initially seemed ineffective, as O’Riley was contained for the most part.
Turnbull made his mark with a goal that could have been complemented by a successful penalty, shifting the game’s momentum.
Oh grabbed his opportunity, producing a goal that could be pivotal for both him and the team’s aspirations.
St Mirren approached the match in peak form, almost executing their strategy to perfection. They experienced some luck but showcased an overall performance that justifies their standing.
Even after falling behind, they continued to pose a threat, and this match at Celtic Park will surely fortify their confidence. There’s every reason to believe they can sustain their third-place standing.
Coaches’ Reflections
Celtic’s Rodgers admitted to a sluggish start, emphasizing the need for greater aggression and initiative. He commended the substitutions for their impact on the game’s outcome.
St Mirren’s Robinson, while acknowledging the setback, refused to dwell on negativity, choosing to focus on the positives and areas of improvement, and praised his squad for their discipline and quality.
Looking Ahead
Celtic heads to an encounter with Ross County on Saturday, while St Mirren will regroup before hosting Hibernian the following Wednesday.
By the Numbers
In a game of statistics, Celtic commanded a dominating 75% possession, unleashing 23 shots to St Mirren’s 6, with 8 on target compared to St Mirren’s 2, and earning 12 corners to their opponent’s 2. Despite their efforts, St Mirren committed 12 fouls, 3 more than Celtic.
Top Performers
The standout player, Zach Hemming, was pivotal for St Mirren, with an average rating of 7.58, despite the defeat. Celtic’s key players included O’Riley, Scales, and the match-winner, Oh Hyeon-gyu, each contributing to a hard-fought victory.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about fokus keyword: Celtic St Mirren Victory
Who scored the winning goal for Celtic against St Mirren?
Oh Hyeon-gyu netted the decisive goal that clinched Celtic a 2-1 victory over St Mirren, ensuring the league leaders maintained their position at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
What was the significance of David Turnbull’s performance in the game?
David Turnbull scored a critical equalizing goal with a fine finish from the edge of the box. However, his performance was also marked by a missed penalty, which could have given Celtic an earlier lead in the game.
How did St Mirren’s Conor McMenamin impact the match?
Conor McMenamin made a significant impact by scoring the opening goal for St Mirren, giving them an early lead with a well-placed header past Celtic’s goalkeeper Joe Hart.
What did Brendan Rodgers say about the team’s performance?
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers acknowledged the team had to “keep grinding” in tough games like this one and praised the squad for their calmness and ability to accelerate the pace of the game at the right moment, leading to Oh Hyeon-gyu’s winning goal.
What are Celtic’s next fixtures following this match?
After the match against St Mirren, Celtic is scheduled to travel for an early kick-off against Ross County on Saturday, while St Mirren will next host Hibernian on the following Wednesday.
Who was named player of the match?
Oh Hyeon-gyu was named player of the match for his crucial goal, potentially a turning point in his career with Celtic and for the team’s season.
How did St Mirren’s manager Stephen Robinson react to the result?
Stephen Robinson, the St Mirren manager, expressed that despite the negative result, the team would not linger on the defeat. He emphasized the positives and the need to continue improving based on the solid performance shown during the game.
More about fokus keyword: Celtic St Mirren Victory
- Celtic Official Match Report
- St Mirren News and Updates
- Scottish Premiership Standings
- Brendan Rodgers’ Post-Match Comments
- David Turnbull Player Profile
- Oh Hyeon-gyu’s Season Statistics
- Match Highlights and Analysis
7 comments
slow start but the boys showed their class in the end grinding out results is what champions do after all
gotta hand it to Oh, that was a belter of a goal when we needed it most the lads a game-changer for sure
watching the replay and McMenamins header was class… too bad they couldn’t hold on for a point would’ve been huge for them
this is why we never leave early from Parkhead, the match ain’t over till its over and Oh’s goal proves it
Turnbul really needs to work on his penalties man, could’ve cost us big time but thankfully Oh saved the day
was at the edge of my seat till the very end we showed em we can tussle with the best of em proud of the boys
Rodgers is the man with a plan but sometimes I swear he does subs too late… worked out this time tho