Celtic 4 – 0 St Mirren
8 Mins – After a slow start to the match, Izaguirre does well to cross from the left and Scotty Sinclair gets a touch but his effort is off target.
11 Mins – Ryan Christie whips in a free-kick from near the right touchline, 30 yards from the goal line. Oliver Burke reacts first and his header from close range to head past the Saints keeper Hladky to give Celtic an early lead.
15 Mins – Great skill from a confident Sinclair invites a challenge and referee points to the spot – a stonewaller. Sinclair calmly improves on his effort at the weekend to double the lead.
24 Mins – Celtic pressing high up the pitches forces another error in the Saints defence. James Forrest gathers the loose ball and find Burke 25 yards from goal. The on loan West Brom man shows wonderful footwork and plays in McGregor for a simple one on one but he is wasteful with his effort that flies over the bar. Deserved a goal and it should have been 3-0.
27 Mins – More determined play from an impressive Scotty Sinclair. With five defenders surrounding him in the Saints box he still finds room for a shot but it is deflected for a corner. As usual nothing comes from this although a Mikael Lustig did try a bizarre back heel which went over the bar.
30 Mins – Celtic try down the left again and Izaguirre turns the defender inside out before trying for the postage stamp but his effort is wide.
40 Mins – Great run from an on form Sinclair ends with him winning free kick in a dangerous area. Lustig gets his head on the dead ball from Christie but keeper saves.
45 Mins – 3 minutes added as Saints players had been rolling around all evening. During this time added on Bain sees his one and only bit of action as St Mirren get a shot on target but it is easily saved.
Half -time – The big screen shows that it is now 1-1 at Rugby Park. Celtic introduce new signing Bayo to the crowd and he gets a huge cheer.
49 Mins – Shout for a penalty as Christie bursts into the box. Would have been soft but we have seen them given.
52 Mins – Wonderful interchanges from Christie and Burke who is growing in the jersey and looks a fine player. Ends with Sinclair hesitating rather than shooting and another good chance goes a begging.
54 Mins – A third goal was coming and it arrived on the 54th Minute. Forrest has the first effort saved, McGregor tries again from the rebound but his effort is blocked but Burke makes no mistake from the third attempt and it’s 3-0 to Celtic. On Celtic Noise our prediction is 4-0 so one more for the coupon.
58 Mins – Benkovic first player to pick up a yellow card for a pull back. It seems harsh.
60 Mins – Sinclair is in on goal but rather than shoot he tries to set up Burke for a tap in. St Mirren do well to clear.
63 Mins – Burke is replaced by Timothy Weah and gets a standing ovation. Those who gave him pelters on twitter at the weekend sit sheepishly hiding their embarrassment.
66 Mins – McGregor lifts the ball over the defence to give Weah his first opportunity- he hits the post. It wouldn’t have counted anyway as a flag is raised.
67 Mins – Forrest is coming onto a game. Great skill from Forrest gives Weah another chance but he shoots wide.
70 Mins – Christie, who has picked up one or two knocks, is replaced by Celtic’s contract Rebel Ewan Henderson. We love a Rebel round these parts so the youngster gets a great welcome and plays very well too.
77 Mins – Scotty Sinclair tries to get the coupon up but curls his effort narrowly wide.
78 Mins – St Mirren’s first corner of night and Henderson heads it behind from his position on the near post to give Saints another one but it’s wasted.
80 Mins – Henderson concedes a free kick just inside the Celtic half and the cross is excellent but there are no takers at the far post. This the nearest St Mirren came to scoring.,
83 Mins – More good play from Lustig – excellent tonight – almost gives Weah a chance but it is cleared.
84 Mins – If there’s going to be an ( all important) fourth goal about half tonight’s crowd will have missed it as they have already headed for the exits.
85 Mins – Ye of little faith! It’s Henderson with the assist for who else but Timothy Weah to fire in number 4 and then head into the North Stand for a cuddle or two.
88 Mins – Lustig goes on a Gies a New Contract run and ends up at outside left. Move ends up with a Forrest effort which is blocked and Henderson lobs just over the bar.
89 Mins – Oliver Burke named Man of the Match. Shown why he has attracted so much transfer money. A player.
90 Mins – Two minutes added and James Forrest almost makes himself very unpopular on Celtic Noise forum by nearly adding a fifth. Three minutes added.
92 Mins – It’s full-time at Easter Road and Kilmarnock have beaten the Rangers 2–1. Plenty of cheers.
93 Mins – Coupon up, 8 in a Row edged closer. Burke and Weah looks great additions and have two goals each and Bayo has arrived in Paradise.
What’s not to like.
Match Report tonight dedicated to Johnny Farrell, Tommy Gemmell CSC Dunblane who was laid to rest this morning.
