Celtic managed to overturn a first‑half deficit and keep their perfect start to the Scottish Premiership campaign alive, while St Mirren suffered their inaugural loss of the season. The encounter in Paisley pitted the league's two unbeaten sides against each other, with the Buddies eager to extend their blistering opening run and claim the top spot. They began brightly, but a pivotal moment swung the momentum in Celtic's favour.
Early in the game, Celtic were awarded a penalty after Liam Scales deliberately handled the ball while trying to block a shot from Chris Mochrie. Nikolas Agrafiotis stepped up and calmly slotted the spot‑kick home, giving the visitors an early lead. St Mirren responded almost immediately when Camilo Duran appeared to equalise, heading in a cross from Hyun Jun Yang.
However, after a VAR review the goal was chalked off for off‑side, leaving the score at 1‑0. Both teams created chances in the opening stages. Callum McGregor, Hussain Hassan and Yang each missed opportunities, while Scales, who had been at fault for the penalty, sought redemption. His chance came from a Mika Baur corner; the defender rose above the crowd and powered a header past keeper Jacob Chapman, restoring Celtic's lead.
Celtic then pressed forward, and Duran supplied a precise pass to Yang, who finished calmly beyond Chapman to make it 3‑0. St Mirren fought back valiantly, generating several chances to pull a goal back, but were repeatedly denied by Celtic's disciplined defence and the occasional spectacular save. New signing Shim Mhueka seemed to have scored a late consolation in stoppage time, only for VAR to rule him off‑side as well. The match ended 3‑0 in Celtic's favour, preserving their five‑point cushion at the summit and marking a flawless five‑out‑of‑five start to the season.
Key moments of the game included: - 18' – Taylor unleashed a long‑range effort that was comfortably saved by Sinisalo. - 19' – A penalty was awarded to St Mirren after Mochrie's strike struck Scales' outstretched arm.
- 22' – Sinisalo made a crucial save, denying Agrafiotis, whose powerful shot hit the bottom corner. - 29' – Duran restored Celtic's lead with a well‑taken finish.
- 31' – VAR intervened to disallow a Celtic equaliser for off‑side. - 40' – McGregor failed to connect with Baur's corner, and Chapman collected the ball safely. - 42' – Hassan's cross found Duran at the edge of the box, but the Buddies keeper was quick to react.
- 48' – Hassan delivered a brilliant ball to Yang, who inexplicably sent it over the bar. - 51' – Scales headed in from Baur's corner, a moment of redemption for the defender.
- 55' – Scales again rose for a corner but headed wide this time. - 64' – Nygren passed back to Yang; Ramsay closed him down and forced an off‑target attempt. - 68' – Duran won possession, Yang dribbled past Chapman and scored his second of the night.
- 74' – Sinisalo denied Thomas as St Mirren pressed for a goal. - 86' – Thomas missed a close‑range chance, lashing over the bar from six yards. - 90+3' – Mhueka appeared to score, but the referee consulted the monitor and ruled the goal out.
Post‑match reactions highlighted the quality of the contest. Sky Sports analyst James McFadden praised Celtic as "worthy winners" who handled the pressure, possessed the ball, and capitalised on their chances. He commended St Mirren for adhering to Craig McLeish's game plan, staying open, taking risks, and drawing Celtic's press, noting the bravery required to play such an expansive style against a side of Celtic's calibre. Former Celtic captain Jackie McNamara called the result "fair", acknowledging St Mirren's resilience and their constant presence in the game until the final whistle.
He observed that Celtic's loss of momentum in the closing stages coincided with the wingers dropping deeper, but maintained that the visitors deserved the three points overall. St Mirren manager Craig McLeish, speaking to Sky Sports, reflected on his team's progress. He highlighted the collective disappointment at missing out on a point but stressed the importance of the threat they posed, citing 19 shots on target as evidence of their attacking intent. McLeish admitted the conceded goals were disappointing but reminded everyone that football offers another match around the corner, urging his players to regroup and move forward.
Celtic boss Martin O'Neill described the evening as "tough". He admitted the team had created opportunities but lacked the fluidity he desired. Nonetheless, O'Neill praised his side for digging deep and salvaging a win against a team in excellent form.
He also addressed the upcoming loss of Hyun Jun Yang to South Korean international duty, calling it a "major blow" given Yang's defensive contributions and his impressive start to the season, including a well‑taken goal. Overall, the fixture delivered drama, tactical nuance, and a showcase of both teams' ambitions. Celtic's ability to respond to adversity and secure the win underlines their championship credentials, while St Mirren's spirited performance, despite the loss, signals that they remain a formidable challenger in the race for the title.