ST MIRREN 0 CELTIC 1
A WONDER strike from Callum McGregor deep in stoppage-time was the points-clincher against St Mirren in a tension-laden encounter in Paisley this evening.
The game was heading for a scoreless stalemate – which would have been the champions’ seventh of the season – when the midfielder popped up to play a captain’s part.
Yang Hyun-jun’s cross from the left had been cleared to Colby Donovan on the right and it appeared the danger had been repelled.
However, the youngster swiftly switched the ball inside to McGregor who took a touch to line up an opening on his favoured left foot.
The home defence was spilt open for a moment and that was all the midfielder needed to strike an unstoppable 25-yard drive over keeper Shamal George’s left hand for the winner.
THE MATCHWINNER…captain marvel Callum McGregor thunders in the stoppage-time points-clincher against St Mirren in Paisley.
It was a moment of sheer inspiration for the visitors who had toiled to make an impact on their aggressive and competitive opponents for the previous 94 minutes.
No-one was complaining, though, as the champions cut Hearts’ lead at the top to four points.
The Hoops were decidedly low key in a first-half where they did not have a solitary shot on target.
They were caught on the back-foot by the hosts’ whirlwind start and were fortunate not to concede twice within the opening half-hour.
Martin O’Neill had every reason to look perplexed on the touchline as his side failed to function with the midfield of Arne Engels, McGregor and Reo Hatate practically non-existent.
Johnny Kenny looked totally off the pace and his early form was emphasised with a first-time shot from a Hatate pass that flew embarrassingly wide of the target.
The visitors escaped going a goal adrift in the seventh minute when Declan John all too easily beat Anthony Ralston to whip over a low left-wing cross. It was missed by everyone smack in front of the stranded Kasper Schmeichel and swept just wide of the far post.
The keeper was helpless again in the 29th minute when a left-wing corner-kick from John created consternation in the box before it was knocked out by Auston Trusty.
PRIZE GUYS…Callum McGregor celebrates his late winner with Liam Scales about to add his congratulations after a night of drama against St Mirren in Paisley.
The ball fell invitingly to Colin McMenamin lurking 25 yards out and his first-time rasping drive sizzled wide of the sprawling keeper before thudding off the outside of the left-hand post and ricocheting to safety.
The only time the champions threatened Shamal George’s goal came in the 15th minute when a short pass from Kieran Tierney invited Sebastian Tounekti to ease in from the left onto his right foot, but his shot flew wide of the target.
Celtic were more up for the fight after the turnaround with Luke McCowan on for Kenny.
They tried to force the play, but were unable to fashion the crucial opening to bring George into action.
In fact, there was a real scare in the 69th minute when Liam Scales diverted the ball past Schmeichel, but McMenamin was clearly offside and interfering with play.
In the 73rd minute, Dane Murray and Benjamin Nygren came on for the tiring Tierney and Ralston and just two minutes later Maeda came so close with a diving header that edged just wide of George’s left-hand post.
Donovan replaced Engels as the clock ticked down and the young right-back played his part in Celtic snatching a victory right at the death.
It really was an extra special effort from captain McGregor to get the points on a hard-fought occasion in Paisley.
TEAM: Schmeichel; Ralston (sub: Nygren 73), Trusty, Scales, Tierney (sub: Murray 73); Engels (sub: Donovan 85), McGregor, Hatate; Maeda, Kenny (sub: McCowan 46), Tounekti (sub: Yang 67).
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