Celtic 3 – 0 St Mirren

Celtic scored three second-half targets to beat St Mirren 3-0 and put extra strain on Rangers within the Scottish Premiership title race.

Brendan Rodgers’ facet knew a victory towards the Buddies would transfer them 4 factors away from their Previous Agency rivals, albeit having performed two video games extra

It was a irritating first half with no actual probabilities for both facet, however Reo Hatate curled the ball into the highest nook from Alistair Johnston’s good cross to open the scoring simply after the break.

The defender then arrange Kyogo Furuhashi to nod in for Celtic’s second on the hour, with substitute Adam Idah heading in late on to wrap up the victory to increase their lead forward of Rangers’ sport at Ross County on Sunday, dwell on Sky.

It made it three league wins towards the Buddies who already secured a top-six place for a second successive season.

Celtic put on down St Mirren to increase title lead

It was a gradual begin by the defending champions with Maik Nawrocki lucky to flee an early reserving for a late aerial problem on Toyosi Olusanya after misjudging the flight of the ball in his first look for seven weeks.

Ryan Pressure got here on for St Mirren after Elvis Bwomono went off with a head knock and the Australian was shortly booked for a foul on Hyun-Jun Yang.

That was a uncommon second of progress for the South Korea winger although and Celtic solely managed one shot within the first half, Matt O’Riley’s drilled effort blocked by Caolan Boyd-Munce.

Boyd-Munce was displaying power and composure within the Saints midfield and Alex Gogic was breaking out of defence to spring some counter-attacks.

The guests seemed the extra threatening workforce within the opening half. Greg Kiltie had an excellent likelihood from Olusanya’s sq. ball however couldn’t make the required contact. Pressure had an effort blocked and Olusanya fired over from a decent angle.

No matter Rodgers stated at half-time had the specified impact as Celtic instantly stepped up a number of gears.

Furuhashi glanced a header large when Cameron Carter-Vickers seemed more likely to rating behind him however Celtic didn’t have lengthy to attend for the breakthrough within the 52nd minute.

Johnston’s move inside discovered Hatate and the Japan midfielder took a contact earlier than shortly guiding the ball into the highest nook with the surface of his boot from 16 yards.

Yang miskicked when introduced with an excellent likelihood moments later however Furuhashi doubled the lead on the hour mark when he headed residence Johnston’s cross from six yards.

Zach Hemming saved from Greg Taylor, Hatate and substitute Luis Palma as Celtic saved up the strain.

St Mirren had seen Scott Tanser and Kiltie, via damage, go off initially of the second half and the guests have been now struggling to impose themselves.

McGregor was amongst 4 substitutes who got here on within the 71st minute and the house facet have been capable of make a sixth substitute, James Forrest, due to Bwomono’s concussion.

The winger got here shut earlier than being concerned within the transfer that led to Idah nodding residence from shut vary within the 86th minute as Celtic outnumbered the visiting defence.

Rodgers delighted with Celtic braveness

Celtic supervisor Brendan Rodgers talking to Sky Sports activities:

“Clearly, our second-half efficiency was excellent. It was troublesome within the first half and we did not hold the ball effectively sufficient within the first half.

“Second half the gamers have been glorious towards St Mirren who’re very, excellent.

“They’ve had a improbable season and so they’re arduous to interrupt down and in these kind of video games are about once you get the primary objective. Fortunately we get it early within the second half after which I assumed we actually got here alive.

“I believe the second half was a continuation from final week and we performed with braveness and no concern.

“We need to rating targets. We’re very attack-minded, however attacked-minded in defending as effectively so we do not give away a lot and I assumed we did that right this moment.”

Robinson: We have been punished for errors

St Mirren supervisor Stephen Robinson stated:

“I assumed we have been good first half, we performed with a goal and handed to play ahead then the adjustments damage us.

“The substitutions slowed the momentum and credit score to Celtic, the primary objective is an excellent end and Kyogo’s motion for the second objective is unimaginable.

“That is the degrees you are enjoying towards and we received punished for errors.

“We’re probably in a European place and we have nonetheless received lots to play for.

“As you noticed by our efficiency ranges and high quality, at instances, on the ball we’re actually not going to let the season move us by.”

What’s subsequent?

Celtic’s consideration turns to their Scottish Cup semi-final towards Aberdeen at Hampden Park on April 20. Kick-off 12.30pm.

St Mirren want to attend for the Scottish Premiership post-split fixtures to be introduced.

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