SIX games...and counting. Celtic maintained their THIRTEEN-POINT advantage at the top of the Premiership with a solid, if unspectacular, 2-0 triumph over a St Mirren team scrapping for top-flight survival in Paisley last night.
The EIGHTH successive crown is within touching distance after the champions kept on course with a first-half header from Timothy Weah and a strike five minutes from time by Ryan Christie who lit up proceedings when he came on for Olivier Ntcham just after the hour mark.
The Highlander made an immediate impression on the confrontation in his first appearance since being injured in the 4-1 win over Motherwell in the east end of Glasgow on February 24 – Brendan Rodgers’ last match in charge of the team.
Christie made up for lost time and proved he has a massive part to play in the silverware run-in.
It wasn’t such a happy occasion for Ntcham, who was making only his second first team outing in 2019. The Frenchman failed to spark and even passed up the opportunity of doubling the team’s advantage before the half-hour mark when he missed a penalty-kick.
There must be something in the Paisley air that doesn’t agree with the former Manchester City midfielder – he was ordered off at the same venue in the scoreless stalemate in September.
As the Hoops edged closer to Flag No.8, CQN’s ace lensmen were there to capture the action. Here is the pick of the pics.
RISE AND SHINE…Timothy Weah climbs high to send a header goalwards.
PHOTO FINISH…Timothy Weah watches as his header comes down off the underside of the bar and over the line for the opener.
AMERICAN DREAM, BHOY…Timothy Weah celebrates with Mikael Lustig.
WEAH TO DO IT…the happy Celt goes through his goal celebration.
WEAH-HAY…Timothy enjoys the moment.
SMILE, PLEASE…Weah looks fairly satisfied.
SUPER SUB AND SUPER STRIKE…Ryan Christie thunders in the second goal.
HAPPY DAZE…a smiling Christie enjoys the moment.
TAKE A BOW…Christie acknowledges the celebrating fans.
BHOY, OH BHOY…Christie is about to be congratulated by James Forrest and Callum McGregor.
DOUBLE DELIGHT…Christie and Forrest are all smiles with Oliver Burke about to join in.
GOAL SALUTE…Christie laps up the cheers.
SPOT OFF…Olivier Ntcham fluffs his penalty-kick which was saved by Saints keeper Vaclav Haldky.
NO JOY…Ntcham gets in ahead of Anton Ferdinand for the rebound, but his effort clipped the bar.
ANGUISH…Ntcham looks for a place to hide as Oliver Burke doesn’t look too impressed.
HEY, REF…Neil Lennon makes his appeal as Oliver Burke is left on the turf wondering what hit him.
WELL HELD…Saints keeper Vaclav Hkadky takes the ball off Timothy Weah’s toes.
IT TAKES TWO…John Kennedy and Neil Lennon as the clock ticks down.
THREE CHEERS…Callum McGregor, James Forrest and Scott Brown after an another successful confrontation.
FAREWELL APPLAUSE…the Celtic players thank the fans after their three points in Paisley.
