Celtic Edge Past St Mirren to Maintain Pressure on Premiership Leaders

Celtic secured a narrow 1-0 victory over St Mirren, keeping the pressure on Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts. The winning goal came in the 15th minute when Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain scored, allowing Martin O'Neill's side to move into second place, three points behind Hearts. Despite a strong start, Celtic struggled to find their rhythm, with Oxlade-Chamberlain's early strike being their most notable opportunity. St Mirren, on the other hand, had limited chances, with their best effort coming from Jonah Ayunga, who fired wide of the post. The match marked the first encounter between the two teams since St Mirren's surprise 3-1 win in the Premier Sports Cup in December. Celtic manager Martin O'Neill expressed concerns over his team's energy levels, stating that they lacked momentum, particularly in the second half. St Mirren boss Craig McLeish was disappointed with the result, citing the need for his team to accumulate points and acknowledging the challenges of playing at Celtic Park.