St Mirren were level for a total of 10 minutes across 120 minutes play against Celtic in yesterday’s Scottish Cup semifinal, nine of which were either side of the fulltime whistle at the end of 90 minutes. That was enough to give Martin O’Neill reason to review strategy for the remainder of the season, but it also allowed the players, fans and coaches to receive a much-needed confidence boost. One which would not have happened had the game ended 2-1.
Perhaps benefiting from a classic Daizen Maeda goal in the opening minute, Celtic were in slick, dominant form in the opening period. When St Mirren keeper Ryan Mullen went down for treatment on 12 minutes, it gave manager Craig McLeish time with his players to readjust the system. Celtic remained dominant throughout the first half, but the League Cup winners were less porous.
Arne Engels pinged a shot off the post, then Yang hung a header back across goal which rebounded off the crossbar (like Larsson’s in Seville, only a few inches higher). With time-added at the end of the first half set to expire, the same player got free in the box and looked set to shoot, but instead backheeled the ball into space. Anthony Ralston had 13 yards to cover but when he connected with the shot, there was no stopping it. It was great vision from the Korean winger.
That looked to be an insurmountable lead, unfortunately, poor defending at two textbook setups put the game into extra time. Kieran Tierney was unable to get a block on Mikael Mandron to prevent the striker burying a header early in the second half, then the same player spun and raced past Benjamin Arther onto a long ball before smashing the equaliser in added time.
An incredible four goals in six minutes during the opening period of extra time settled the tie. Kelechi Iheanacho showed everyone how far ahead he is of any striker playing in Scotland. If he can play 60 minutes each game for the remainder of the season, Celtic will win the league. Benjamin Nygren and Luke McCowan got confidence-boosting goals, while James Forrest gave the supporters things to discuss on the way out of the stadium.
Should Forrest play when Maeda is through the middle, alternating with Maeda on the wing when Iheanacho plays? Every other combination has been tried, this one should be on the table.
Credit to St Mirren yesterday. Neither of the goalkeepers who played for them have started a top flight game of football. Ryan Mullen (23) made only his second substitute appearance in the Premiership at Celtic Park last week. 17-year-old Grant Tamosevicius made his debut in senior football competitions against Celtic on live TV. I hope they stay up and Craig McLeish gets the chance to take control next season.
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Is big Nacho the answer, and big Tam not?????
If strikers don’t get the ammo, they wont score. The difference yesterday was ammo, very much lacking recently
kingLUBO
Club Statement – Supporter Safety
Fans News
20 April 2026
St Mirren Football Club wishes to acknowledge a situation that occurred within the footprint of Hampden Park prior to our Scottish Gas Scottish Cup semi-final match against Celtic.
We recognise that the event took place at a neutral venue and was under the control of the relevant stadium authorities and partner agencies. However, we are aware that some of our supporters, including young children and families, were placed in a situation where they felt unsafe as they arrived at the stadium.
We are currently in dialogue with the appropriate authorities to better understand how this situation arose and what measures were in place to manage supporter movements in advance of the match.
The safety and wellbeing of our supporters remain of paramount importance to St Mirren Football Club, and we are seeking reassurance that appropriate steps will be taken to prevent a similar occurrence in the future.
We will always do our utmost to support and protect our fans and want them to feel safe and confident when attending matches.
Reading back blog comments throughout the game yesterday it was hard to distinguish Celtic fans from lurkers. Faithful through and through…
I assume 6-2 victories, like trebles, now just paper over the cracks.
Song for the Celtic.
Black Sabbath 1978. Never say die.
https://youtu.be/2Q6gPouusHs?si=q6Pi0ioGt-rTfu9h
GlassTwoThirdsFull on 20th April 2026 12:58 pm
Could it be nicely falling into place for Martin to be able to just hand Neil the office keys at the final whistle on 23 May and avoid another shower episode?
*that thought has been going through my mind since Saturday, NOT necessarily as manager but in some kind of coaching capacity, he has always been good in that area and excellent at bringing though players, Jamesie Forrest for example, just a thought on this happy happy happy Monday.
Bhoys Town -“Reading back blog comments throughout the game yesterday it was hard to distinguish Celtic fans from lurkers”.
I actually got a laugh from the one who popped in at half-time, the end of regulation time and hasn’t been heard from since😂
the st mirren safety stuff
no specifics, no polis statement
and defo no mention at all of the st mirren pyros (which dont bother me)
it could simply have been somebody with weans was quite near noisy tims with a drink in them
will happily stand corrected
at the final last year sheep safely walked up thru the tic from toryglen side
just so happens the huns were in more bother at falkirk last week too…..
deflect, deflect, deflect
oops i just seen the DR headline….
I’m having the time of my life. Full steam ahead and damn the torpedoes!!!!😂
Copyright Admiral David Farragut/Tom Petty.
St Stivs
You watched Tounetki with the same eyes as mine.
He helped fill my swear box everytime he got it wrong and that was more than twice to balance the occasions he first found either Nygren (or was it Engles?) to have a shot and then Yang to make the goal.
His failure to control an excellent cross field pass from Ralston about summed up his day.
On what happened next there is a video of the goals from an angle and you can hear Ralston yelling ” Yang Yang and Yang’s response was exceptional as was Ralston’s finish.
https://youtu.be/SUcZtU6A9uA?si=e6OoHjqkW04kK3Na
So Tounetki did make 2 passes that resulted on shots on target but two swallows dont make a summer.
I think he is a weak point in the set up when he cuts infield but loses the ball under pressure and KT is wary of going forward and being left high and dry.
Like you not a starter . Best left until Celtic have a comfortable lead which just now is 3 or higher.
However it was just a day and there is hope he might improve but he has a way to go.
The levee will break soon for the hun sisters.
Led Zeppelin 1971
Bonham/Plant/Jones/Page.
https://youtu.be/JM3fodiK9rY?si=1YOmeB3jPGMGP5Vd
Embdae know if Big Tam was injured yesterday?
I listened to a little of the SSB podcast yesterday (I know, I know), and Gordon Dalziel made a remark about Antony Ralston which had me smile. Something to the effect of “he must have found somebody else’s boots”.
I’ve recently said that Ralston had turned into a very poor footballer over a single season, as he went from being a reliable (if limited) backup to AJ, to effectively being the 4th choice at right back. I was not wrong. All of the evidence was there to support my concerns, and most of you were saying something similar.
Whatever happened yesterday is beyond reasonable explanation, as Ralston showed some of the grit and physicality that we have been missing, but more importantly passing – accurate long angled passes – and composure while putting his laces through the ball for our second goal.
Welcome back Antony Ralston!
His timing might be perfect. As not only do Celtic need a reliable option at RB for the next 6 games, that can play 90 minutes without problem, but he also needs the next 6 games to confirm his seat on the plane to the World Cup!
Bada – MON was asked before the game. He said no, Cvancara was not injured.
auldheid@5.13pm
Your own view of Tounetki, as opposed to that of Saint Stivs, was that he was “pretty useless”, there is no walking back from that. Stivs view was that beating a man means nothing “if you cannot pass onwards to a celtic player” and also that “his decision making is awful”. Stivs also criticised the fact the Toun “takes another 7 touches” before moving the ball out towards Yang. Now, while it does make a welcome change that Stivs was counting touches as opposed to empty seats, both he and you ignore completely that in bringing the ball in from the lhs Seb exhibited the most skillful piece of play of the whole match, play which helped create the goal which saw us go in @ HT with a two goal lead. Pour scorn on the bhoy all you like but do not try and try and pretend it is based on any kind of footballing understanding. Moments make matches, they help us win Cup matches beit agin Auchineck Talbot or against Saint Mirren. I’ve read plenty similar re James Forrest over the years.
Other than that both keep up the good work.
TBB- Mmmmm,Adamu on bench instead,who’s never seen a ball before….strange
When Ralston has been called upon,it takes him.a couple of games to get up to speed,and then he does a good job,he was excellent yesterday
AULDHEID on 20TH APRIL 2026 5:13 PM
I think he is a weak point in the set up when he cuts infield but loses the ball under pressure and KT is wary of going forward and being left high and dry.
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I’ve been critical of KT. He’s had a lot of minutes this season to regain fitness and develop consistency, but we have seen neither. He remains one of our better players, but he needs to offer more (and while not wishing to make this about money, whatever his wages, it is reasonable to expect more). With that said, it is really difficult to judge any individual player fully and fairly whilst playing in this Celtic team. The overall lack of fluidity, quality and confidence will inevitably limit even those with the most to offer.
To your point, I do think that KT fears committing to the overlap with abandon when he knows the risks as Tounekti cuts inside. If he loses possession we can be totally exposed on that flank, as not only will KT find himself high up the park and out of position, but Tounekti is not the most capable/reliable at chasing back.
I imagine that when Maeda plays wide left I imagine that KT feels less exposed as he arguably protects the ball better, but more importantly, if dispossessed he is 100% in recovery.
With this said, I also think that KT has lost something. He often looks like a defender that wants to ….. defend! There is this hesitance to overlap, but when space opens up he also appears reluctant to move inside as an inverted fullback. He likes to hug the touchline, which is in stark contrast to Greg Taylor who was always willing to take the ball infield and carry it until a forward pass option appeared.
In time, maybe this sorts itself out with a new manager, new systems and new playing personnel, but as our highest paid player, reportedly, KT needs to offer more.
TBB and BADA – the Cvancara situation is utterly bizarre. It normally takes a lot to go from being in the starting 11 to the following week not making the squad. Especially when you get replaced by Adamu. I guess it gives some strange hope to Mvuka and Balikwisha?
Tontine Tim on 20th April 2026 4:07 pm
GlassTwoThirdsFull on 20th April 2026 12:58 pm
Could it be nicely falling into place for Martin to be able to just hand Neil the office keys at the final whistle on 23 May and avoid another shower episode?
*that thought has been going through my mind since Saturday, NOT necessarily as manager but in some kind of coaching capacity, he has always been good in that area and excellent at bringing though players, Jamesie Forrest for example, just a thought on this happy happy happy Monday. Utter shite. He is an alcoholic and has mental health issues. Remember he took the team abroad during covid and had to be carried up to his room. He said CELTIC were going to sign 2 players .Oh yeah who ere they where are they. Players went out to a night club and caught covid. Most of team were banned from playing at times .He had 4 players wanted to leave at start of season and they were not allowed to go. They all downed tools and CELTIC lost the league. All those who want him back have no idea.SO THERE. Stick to copy n paste and give us peace.
We’re pleased to give you advance notice that tickets for Celtic v Hearts on Saturday, May 16 (Kick-off 12:30pm) will go on sale from 10am tomorrow, Tuesday, April 21.
FAVOURITE UNCLE on 20th April 2026 6:59 pm
Tontine Tim on 20th April 2026 4:07 pm
GlassTwoThirdsFull on 20th April 2026 12:58 pm
Could it be nicely falling into place for Martin to be able to just hand Neil the office keys at the final whistle on 23 May and avoid another shower episode?
*that thought has been going through my mind since Saturday, NOT necessarily as manager but in some kind of coaching capacity, he has always been good in that area and excellent at bringing though players, Jamesie Forrest for example, just a thought on this happy happy happy Monday. Utter shite. He is an alcoholic and has mental health issues. Remember he took the team abroad during covid and had to be carried up to his room. He said CELTIC were going to sign 2 players .Oh yeah who ere they where are they. Players went out to a night club and caught covid. Most of team were banned from playing at times .He had 4 players wanted to leave at start of season and they were not allowed to go. They all downed tools and CELTIC lost the league. All those who want him back have no idea.SO THERE. Stick to copy n paste and give us peace.
*fair enough its all about opinions and as I have said previously when he bailed out on us leaving us with the inexperienced Ronny I never wanted him near the place again but when he did return he did well.
As for his social habits, who really knows what goes on in another’s life, as they say try and walk a mile in his shoes.
BTW why do you have to be so nasty or is it an age thing, crabbit oul bu88er
I find the decision to start Ben Arthur ahead of Dane Murray interesting.
Neither are more than back up players, so with Scales suspended one of them got the call. It’s hard to know what MON and his team see that causes them to choose Arthur ahead of Murray. I thought that the lad did well enough, except for his mistake at the Saints second goal, and that loss of concentration quickly led to him being subbed for the start of extra time.
All young players need minutes, and I’d always prefer to see our own players getting them ahead of loanees, but results come first.
Casting a glance at how the bookies are pricing things, Celtic are broadly 1/5 favorites to win the cup in 90-minutes, and 1/9 to win it outright!
As they are market making right now, probability dictates that we are likely to win it in extra time. Please no, I can’t take any more!
Seb exhibited the most skillful bit of play in the whole match!!! What a load of shite.
Some amount of turd polishing going on there.
St.Stivs.
Saddened to read of some sort of trouble.i walked over to hampden,once near Cathcart Rd,passing boons yard,the mingling with the St.Mirren fans,I walked down and round their bus area,good banter and a few hand shakes,not a problem,woman,kids all smiling,so saddened somethin grieved
Thomas Frank .Fantastic manager at Brentford.Great eye for players,who have had massive fees paid for them,moving on.
Not working at the moment.Could be the answer.I like him.
timmy7noted@7.31pm
Something do know a lot about…
And no doubt excel at…..
Not good
Bhoyjoebelfast
Pleased with the result….but, had it been a league game two points dropped.Just saying CSC.
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BRRB
Go easy on the wobbly water John.
……………………
The type of post that does my nut in.
It wasn’t a league game. It was a cup game. I knew that when I applied for my ticket. Every supporter at Hampden knew it was a cup game too and I bet you every one of the players knew they were playing a cup game too and not a bloody league game.
What’s wrong with some people? We win a cup game 6-2 but it’s not good enough for them. Maybe you would have been happier if it was a league game? Jesus wept.
Gedi – those odds imply we are MORE likely to win the cup IF it goes to extra time. Not that the game WILL go to extra time.
Your stress levels will probably be spared.
it could simply have been somebody with weans was quite near noisy tims with a drink in them
will happily stand corrected
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I will ask around, why are celtic fans meeting on the west side of the stadium, traditional away end parking, and then being marched across the south west bus park.
there are more tikky tokky instagram stuff but i cant copy them over.
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SHOCKING Scenes as St Mirren Fans CLASH With Green Brigade – Celtic 6 – St Mirren 2 (aet) – 19/04/26
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1zI6wF4hi0
St Stivs
It was Seb who played a similar pass along the 28 yard line for Arne to shoot and hit the post.
Evening all.
TURKEYBHOY
Decent shout re Thomas Frank, however, I think he work with a lot of analytics behind him.
We would have to have a massive shake up behind the scenes at Lennoxtown.
I for one would support the latter.
Re. Neil Lennon returning to Celtic Park. I share Favourite Uncle’s horror at the thought just in case circumstances arise where he is handed ‘temporary charge’ of the team.
BLOGGA – I believe you are correct, but I’ve little confidence that my stress levels will be spared.
Given that our last 3 ties went to ET, the 5/1 for a draw at 90-minutes looks good value.
If Neil Lennon is ‘ handed the keys’ ,there will be a Season Ticket for sale,and don’t think i will be alone.
serious question – how would people feel if neil lennon won the cup final ?
more hate ?
or accwpt it in good grace ?