Champions Celtic Make Winning Start

Celtic 1-0 St.Mirren

Reigning SPL champions Celtic got their title defence off to a steady start after a 1-0 win over St. Mirren at Celtic Park.

In a subdued first period, the resilient visitors prevented Celtic from creating any clear-cut opportunities, and indeed struck the post themselves just moments into the second half from Billy Mehmet’s curling shot.

But the game was turned on the hour mark when Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink was brought down in the penalty area by St. Mirren defender Will Haining - who was sent-off as a result of being the last man – giving Barry Robson the chance to give Celtic the lead from the penalty spot, a chance which the winger gladly took.

The visitors did not subside however, and despite their failure to grab an equaliser, they can be content with their performance, arguably deserving to take a point from the match after a spirited display.

First Half

Pre-match formalities proceeded the kick-off to the match, with a touching tribute to the late Tommy Burns taking place as his widow, Rosemary, unfurled the championship flag to celebrate Celtic’s third successive league title success last season. Marc Crosas, the 20-year-old midfielder recently signed from Barcelona, was unveiled to the home support to rapturous applause.

There were no real surprises in the champions’ team selection, with Shunsuke Nakamura the only star name absent from the starting eleven due to a groin injury. The visitors, meanwhile, fielded a compact 4-5-1 formation as they looked to restrict the creative potential of the Bhoys.

The Saints made a decent start to the game and Gary Brady tested Hoops goalkeeper Artur Boruc at his near post in what was just the second minute of the match. The Celts soon established control of possession but struggled to create any clear openings for the first 30 minutes as the visitors packed men behind the ball, while still posing the occasional threat on the counter-attack.

Scott McDonald and Barry Robson both shot off target as Celtic began to up the tempo slightly towards the end of the first period, but a breakthrough still looked a long way away and Saints striker Billy Mehmet almost took advantage of confusion from home captain Stephen McManus in defence moments before the half-time whistle.

Second Half

There were no changes at the start of the second period, although Celts boss Gordon Strachan would undoubtedly have demanded a vast improvement from his side after a sluggish first-half performance that produced very little in terms of chances.

But it was the visitors who created what was the best chance of the match so far just three minutes into the half. After some neat passing Stephen O’Donnell set-up Mehmet, who had peeled away from his marker, McManus, and his curling shot from the edge of the area was tipped on to the foot of the post by a fantastic fingertip stop from Boruc.

Moments later Gary Caldwell forced a save from Saints goalkeeper Mark Howard after a strong header from Lee Naylor’s free-kick. After 55 minutes Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink had a penalty claim declined after he was felled after contact from Howard, but the ball had ran out of play as the contact was made.

McDonald then tested Howard, who was fast becoming extremely busy, with a header from an Aiden McGeady cross, but the ‘keeper was up to the task.

However, the game was completely changed on the hour mark as the breakthrough came for the champions. Naylor’s long ball caused havoc in the Saints defence and a slip from defender Will Haining allowed Vennegoor to be clear through on goal.

Vennegoor was then allegedly held back by Haining as he desperately tried to make up for his error and after the Dutch striker’s shot slipped narrowly wide of the post the referee brought the play back and awarded a spot-kick to the Celts and Haining as the last man was subsequently sent-off.

Robson then converted the penalty, which just crept over the line despite a strong touch from Howard, with the winger clearly relieved after what had been a close shave.

Vennegoor then squandered a great chance to make it two as he headed wide from close range after a goal-mouth scramble that also involved Naylor and McDonald, but O’Donnell forced Boruc into a reaction save as the visitors issued reminder that they were still in the game despite their numerical disadvantage.

Howard then saved Scott Brown’s long-range effort with twenty minutes remaining as the champions looked to put the result beyond doubt.

Substitute Marc McAusland headed over the bar from a St. Mirren corner just seven minutes from time before Mehmet struck wide as the spirited ten man fought until the finish.

However, an equaliser proved to be too much to ask for from the Paisley side and as a result Celtic successfully matched their rivals Rangers’ 1-0 victory of yesterday as another SPL season got underway in earnest.

Celtic: Boruc, Hinkel, Caldwell, McManus, Naylor (Wilson, 74), McGeady, Brown, Hartley, Robson (Caddis, 81), Vennegoor of Hesselink, McDonald (Samaras, 75).

Goals: Robson (pen, 62).

St. Mirren: Howard, Ross, Haining, Potter, Miranda, Murray, Brady (Tonet, 63), O’Donnell (Wyness, 82), McGinn, Brighton (McAusland, 63), Mehmet.

Goals: None.

Sent-off: Haining (60).