BRENDAN RODGERS hailed matchwinner Oh Hyeon-gyu after Celtic’s dramatic 2-1 triumph over St Mirren at Parkhead that keeps the champions five points ahead at the Premiership pinnacle.
The encounter was deadlocked at 1-1 with only seven minutes to go before the South Korean thumped in the second to relieve the tension around the east end of Glasgow.
Oh had been firing blanks for the first three months of the campaign, but stepped up to the plate against a stubborn Paisley outfit who had set out a side to make life hard for the hosts.
THAT’S MY BHOY…Brendan Rodgers congratulates late-goal hero Oh Hyeon-gyu.
It looked as though they were going to claim a point their negative play scarcely warranted before the Hoops put together a mesmerising move down the right that saw fellow-substitute Odin Holm present Holm with his opportunity.
Keeper Zach Hemming didn’t stand a chance as the powerful hitman exploded an effort high into the net.
A beaming Rodgers said: “I think our second goal was a fantastic footballing goal if you see the moves and how we worked the ball with a lovely little pass and combination.
“I’m so happy for Big Oh to get his goal with a good finish.
“Odin makes a great choice because that’s one when you’ve not played so much, you take it out your feet and shoot, but he showed a sublime pass and the big guy takes his touch and finishes it so well.
“I’m really happy for him because he works so hard on his game and how he looks after his body. He does extra work with the coaches so you know when he comes on he will be ready.”
Rodgers, speaking to Celtic TV, continued: “I’m really pleased with the three points in a very important win for us.
THREE CHEERS…Luis Palma and Matt O’Riley celebrate with David Turnbull after the midfielder’s opener. Images courtesy Celtic TV.
“Any team playing 5-4-1 and well-organised will always make it difficult for you, but we showed wonderful persistence and resilience and we got what we deserved.
”We had to grind the result, having played so many games, so at times it won’t have the speed and the intensity.
“We started too slowly and weren’t aggressive enough, and then we lost out on too many first and second balls.
“Then from that, our passing was passive, so it’s a really disappointing first goal. When you play against a team that’s very well-organised like St Mirren, then you have a real challenge in the game.”
The Celtic gaffer, who will now prepare his players for the 12.30pm kick-off against Ross County in Dingwall on Saturday, added: “We got a fantastic goal through David Turnbull and it’s a brilliant finish.
“Then in the second-half we had to keep knocking on the door.
“It’s a huge credit to the substitutes and how they look after themselves and how they train to make an impact on the game.”
OH YES: STRIKER IS LATE-GOAL HERO
