Celtic came alive in the second half to secure a crucial 3-0 victory over St Mirren, moving four points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership. Manager Brendan Rodgers emphasized the importance of this stage of the season for Celtic, stating that it is when they thrive. The first half was a struggle for Celtic, who failed to register a shot on target. However, two sublime finishes from the Japanese duo, Reo Hatate and Kyogo Furuhashi, within 15 minutes of the second half changed the game in Celtic’s favor. Adam Idah’s close-range header sealed the victory and boosted their goal difference.
The win increases the pressure on city rivals Rangers, who still have two games in hand. Rodgers expressed his excitement for the remaining five games, with trophies and the Scottish Cup at stake. He credited Celtic’s ability to come alive in this crucial period.
Celtic had hoped to start the game with early intensity, similar to their title rivals, Rangers, who were caught off guard in their recent draw against Celtic. St Mirren’s manager, Stephen Robinson, made strategic changes by dropping top scorer Mikael Mandron to the bench and focusing on containing Celtic in the opening 20 minutes. St Mirren had a solid start and prevented Celtic from creating any clear chances. The visitors even had opportunities of their own, with Greg Kiltie failing to convert a fine cross and Toyosi Olusanya missing a chance set up by Alex Gogic.
However, St Mirren suffered setbacks as Scott Tanser and Kiltie were forced off due to injuries early in the second half. Celtic took advantage of the situation and broke the deadlock seconds later when Reo Hatate scored a precise side-footed drive into the top corner. Kyogo Furuhashi then extended Celtic’s lead with a powerful header. St Mirren goalkeeper Zach Hemming faced constant pressure, and substitute Adam Idah capitalized on a rebound to seal the victory.
The contrasting halves of the match showcased Celtic’s ability to regroup and come back stronger after a slow start. Rodgers’ team showed resilience and benefited from their quality substitutes, including captain Callum McGregor, who was held in reserve due to a lack of match fitness. St Mirren’s manager, Stephen Robinson, praised his team’s first-half performance but acknowledged the difference in levels between the two sides. The injuries disrupted their momentum and ultimately led to Celtic’s dominance in the second half.
This victory extends Celtic’s unbeaten run to nine matches since December and puts them in a strong position in the title race. St Mirren, on the other hand, find themselves eight points adrift of a potential European qualifying place after Kilmarnock’s win over St Johnstone. The defeat also highlights St Mirren’s struggles against Celtic, as they have now lost all four meetings this season and have only beaten Celtic once in their last 35 encounters.
Looking ahead, Celtic will face Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup semi-final, while both Celtic and St Mirren await news about their first top-six fixtures as the Premiership splits into two sections for the final five games. The win against St Mirren not only strengthens Celtic’s title aspirations but also boosts their confidence heading into the upcoming challenges.