DEFEAT to Rangers, what defeat?
Just three days after absolute derby misery Celtic went even further ahead of their bitter rivals in precisely the kind of fashion Brendan Rodgers would’ve wanted.
Two goals from Nicolas Kuhn and the recalled Auston Trusty’s first for the club incredibly eased them 13-points clear – and quickly back in the old routine.
Player of the season Kuhn’s now on 16 goals for the season.
He’s been left with two black eyes and a cut nose after being clattered by a swinging arm from Rangers’ Jefte which, on reflection, could’ve merited a straight red for the defender.
However, what hurt most for the German ace was his pride – and how he and his team-mates rebounded from a deflating defeat.
Rodgers didn’t hold back in his criticism of his team in the aftermath of the humbling result to Rangers.
And he sure didn’t mess about either with his starting line-up decisions for this – especially in axing stopper Liam Scales who had a poor game at Ibrox.
His ruthless benching saw Trusty back in while Engels, Luke McCowan and Adam Idah were also recalled at the expense of Reo Hatate, Paulo Bernardo and Kyogo Furuhashi, all of whom had been sub-standard too in Govan.
With perspective, it was only a first domestic defeat in 10 months – but it was the manner of the drubbing which still deeply disappointed the manager and angered supporters.
Saints boss Stephen Robinson had seen his side magnificently beat Rangers in a stunning three game winning run over the festive period, but then endure two straight defeats.
With Brentford recalling Ellery Balcombe, Robinson moved swiftly to bring back keeper Zach Hemming from Middlesbrough for another loan spell with a view to signing him permanently.
And Hemming went straight into the side, with Mark O’Hara, Elvis Bwomono, Caolan Boyd-Munce and Greg Kiltie also in from the defeat at Kilmarnock.
Celtic had been timid in Govan – but here they were far more aggressive in the opening spell, more at it all over the pitch as they clearly looked to respond to their pride being badly bruised.
After just a minute they produced a stunning counter attack which saw Kuhn storm up the park from just outside his own box and appearing to have Daizen Maeda in great support across from him.
But then Saints defender Marcus Fraser cynically bundled over the Japanese winger off the ball, leaving Kuhn to go it alone and impressively win a corner which came to nothing.
Fraser was lucky to avoid a quickfire booking.
The champions – no doubt buoyed by earlier news of Rangers yet again slipping up away – had purpose and fluency to their game.
And striker Idah headed an Engels corner into the ground and just wide.
Celtic earned several dead-ball situations but couldn’t capitalise – with Saints beginning to find their feet.
The Buddies threatened with a 12th minute Boyd-Munce free-kick which Scott Tanser headed over.
Celtic briefly lost their way – but then dramatically took the lead just when the fans were getting a little restless.
By DEREK McGREGOR
CELTIC
Kasper Schmeichel 7
Alistair Johnston 7
Cameron Carter-Vickers 7
Auston Trusty 7
Greg Taylor 6
Arne Engels 7
Luke McCowan 7
Callum McGregor 7
NICOLAS KUHN 8
Adam Idah 6
Daizen Maeda 7
Celtic subs: Hatate (McCowan, 70) 3, Yang (Kuhn, 70) 3, Palma (Maeda, 83) 2, Kyogo (Idah, 83) 2.
ST MIRREN
Zach Hemming 5
Marcus Fraser 6
Alex Gogic 6
RICHARD TAYLOR 7
Elvis Bwomono 5
Killian Phillips 6
Caolan Boyd-Munce 6
Mark O’Hara 5
Scott Tanser 6
Greg Kiltie 5
Toyosi Olusanya 5
St Mirren subs: Smyth (O’Hara, 62) 4, Oseni (Kiltie, 62) 4, Ayunga (Olusanya, 62) 4, Idowu (Boyd-Munce, 83) 2, John (Tanser, 83) 2.
McCowan’s superbly weighted pass picked out Maeda down the left and the winger wasted no time in delivering a first time ball across the box for Kuhn, 12-yards out, to fire a low left foot shot beyond Hemming who possibly could’ve done better.
It survived a quick VAR check and Celtic had the lead they so craved.
But within a few minutes Saints burst forward and speed merchant Toyosi Olusanya made space for a dangerous cross which Kasper Schmeichel got across to hold well.
Celtic, though, effectively sealed the points two minutes from half time – and it was easy-peasy courtesy of absent-minded Saints defenders.
Engels’ swung-in corner left an untroubled Trusty to calmly glance a header past Hemming from point-blank range.
It was lights out for Saints chances – and two minutes after the break it was darkness all over Parkhead as the floodlights momentarily failed, a power problem indeed felt throughout the East End of the city.
But they were back on fully within 15 seconds – and Hemming was bright to react well to a point-blank Idah flick-on from a shot which he saved well with an outstretched leg.
VAR had also briefly been affected by the power outage with ref Grant Irvine addressing it with both managers while the giant scoreboards went dark.
The electricity also went out of the match as the action became flat, Celtic appearing to be content and Saints producing little.
But suddenly, things livened up midway through the half.
Schmeichel tipped over an awkward looping header from Saints sub Owen Oseni, then Kuhn got a great first touch to a McCowan pass to go one-on-one with Hemming but the keeper denied him.
Seconds later, however, the Saints No1 was badly at fault as the Celts got a 68th minute third.
The shot-stopper suffered a butter-fingered moment on the deck as he fumbled a straight-forward Engels back-heel in the six yard box and allowed Kuhn to collect, go round him and tap in.
Idah thought he’d made it 4-0 after first hitting the bar with a shot before planting home the rebound but an offside flag was raised.
Celtic cruised it in the closing stages and there was even a cameo off the bench from the lesser-spotted and possibly soon to exit Luis Palma.
Right on the 90 minute mark Saints sub Jonah Ayunga robbed Cameron Carter-Vickers just eight yards from goal but couldn’t get the better of Schmeichel.
And in the last meaningful act Celts sub Kyogo headed wide a cross from Alistair Johnston.
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