Celtic 2-1 St Mirren: Hyeon-Gyu Oh secures late win over stubborn Buddies

Report and free match highlights as Celtic beat St Mirren 2-1; Conor McMenamin headed the visitors in front ahead early on; David Turnbull equalised before missing a penalty; Hyeon-Gyu Oh scored the winner late on

Alison Conroy

Digital Sports Journalist @AlisonGConroy

Thursday 2 November 2023 11:03, UK

Hyeon-Gyu Oh came off the bench to complete Celtic's turnaround in a hard-fought win over St Mirren.

The Hoops, who were looking to make amends for their goalless draw at Hibernian on Saturday, were stunned as Conor McMenamin headed the Buddies in front early on.

David Turnbull lashed home the equaliser before he missed from the penalty spot after a VAR check ruled Alex Gogic had handled the ball.

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The visitors frustrated the leaders but Oh fired in a brilliant shot following an assist from fellow sub Odin Thiago Holm to wrap up the victory to keep them five points clear of Rangers.

St Mirren remain in third.

Celtic return to winning ways

Brendan Rodgers' side had dropped points at the weekend but the main talking point ahead of the game was the Green Brigade's ban from Celtic Park for "increasingly serious escalation in unacceptable behaviours".

The move came after incidents including the fan group's co-ordination of a display showing solidarity with the people of Palestine at last week's Champions League game against Atletico Madrid and their absence impacted on the atmosphere.

The visitors then silenced the fans with the early opener.

Greg Kiltie's curling cross from wide on the left was met by Northern Ireland attacker McMenamin and he gave keeper Joe Hart no chance with his header from close range.

The goal concentrated Celtic minds while the fans began grumbling at St Mirren taking the lead.

But they had cause to cheer when Turnbull picked up a Matt O'Riley pass 20 yards from goal and curled a shot high past Buddies keeper Hemming.

There was a handball check by VAR when Turnbull's shot came off the sliding Buddies midfielder Alex Gogic and when referee John Beaton checked his pitchside monitor he inevitably pointed to the spot.

Turnbull's spot-kick struck the post, Luis Palma's effort from the rebound was well-saved by Hemming and then O'Riley headed past the post and Saints breathed again.

Celtic increased the pressure just before the break with Hemming preventing Gogic from inadvertently slicing a clearance into his own net before making a good save from Palma's low drive.

An intricate move early in the second half ended with Hemming making a fine save from Forrest's drive from 10 yards before the winger and Palma made way for Maeda and South Korean attacker Yang Hyun-jun.

Celtic kept knocking at the door and seven minutes from the end Oh took a pass from fellow substitute Odin Thiago Holm inside the box and drove high into the net.

The hosts should have scored again in added time when Kyogo Furuhashi was clean through, only to be foiled by Hemming.

Rodgers: We had to be patient

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers speaking to Sky Sports:

"A very, very good result for us against a team that are very difficult to play against, it's hats off to both teams.

"We started the game slowly and it was a very poor goal we gave away, we just weren't aggressive and quick enough in our game and we deserved to go behind.

"Our reaction to that was really, really good. We had chances before a brilliant goal by Dave Turnbull and that settled us back down again.

"St Mirren defended very, very well but we kept going and working them, and the subs coming into the game were excellent.

"At that stage of the game to show the composure we did to score an outstanding goal to see the game through is a credit to them.

"In a busy period, where we're playing a lot of games, I'm very pleased with that."

Robinson taking the positives

St Mirren boss Stephen Robinson spoke to Sky Sports at full-time:

"We started really well and scored a brilliant goal and then we sat back and we were too negative, so we weren't happy when we went in at half-time even though it was 1-1.

"Second half, I thought we were much better. I thought we contained them and we looked like we were in control without having lots of the ball.

"When they scored we created three of four really good chances, but they had some good chances and Zach Hemming had a brilliant performance.

"To a man, to compete with a team as good as Celtic and the amount of changes they had to make to win the game shows you we've definitely competed."