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Celtic 2-0 St Mirren (TalkCeltic Match Report)

Discussion in 'TalkCeltic News' started by Murphy7, Aug 13, 2006.

By Murphy7 on Aug 13, 2006 at 4:49 PM
  1. Murphy7

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    Champions Celtic are back to winning ways after a comfortable win over high flyers St Mirren. Stand-in captain Stephen McManus and wantaway midfielder Stilian Petrov scored the goals as Celtic knocked St Mirren off the top of the SPL table.

    Gordon Strachan made one change to the side following the dysmal display at Tynecastle last week as Ross Wallace replaced the injured Paul Telfer in Celtic's defence, with Mark Wilson moving to his natural right-back position. Quite astonishingly 41-year-old Andy Millen was drafted in for the injured Kevin McGowne in defence as St Mirren looked to continue their 100% start to the season.

    Aiden McGeady began brightly and was unfortunate to not give Celtic the lead when his powerful right-foot effort came back off the upright. Celtic were again denied after a brilliant, one-handed save by Chris Smith denied Maciej Zurawski after he was expertly set up by Petrov after a fine move.

    St Mirren rarely troubled the Celtic defence but Craig Molloy had an opportunity when Wallace's weak clearing header fell straight to the midfielder, but the player screwed his 22-yard shot wide of the mark.

    Celtic took the lead after a simple goal from a Nakamura corner. Buddies goalkeeper Smith cost his side dear when after a poor error of judgement he found himself caught in no-man's land to allow McManus to head into the empty net from eight yards out unchallenged. Smith however partly atoned for this error to block Zurawski's low drive with his knees just before half-time.

    St Mirren captain Kirk Broadfoot passed up St Mirren's best chance of the game, heading just wide from a Lappin free-kick. It was a half-chance at best and emphasised how little trouble the Buddies caused Celtic on the day from open play.

    Celtic virtually made sure of the points when after a sublime move including McGeady jinking past a couple of defenders before setting up Petrov to drill the ball home. It may be the Bulgarian's last goal for the club as he looks to move on before the summer transfer window closes.

    St Mirren were unfortunate to not get a consolation goal when Lappin's free-kick hit the woodwork before goalkeeper Boruc denied John Sutton a goal against his older brother's former club. It was a poor header from the Englishman and it summed up St Mirren's day.

    Smith again prevented Celtic increasing their lead with a fine save from a McGeady strike before Kenny Miller missed a golden opportunity to score his first goal for the club. The Scottish international missed from only a couple of yards out after Beattie's pin-point cross, but the points were already safe for Celtic. It wasn't a classic by any stretch of the imagination but at this early point of the season, a victory is all that matters. The victory moves Celtic to third in the league ahead of Rangers and just a point behind Hearts and Falkirk.

    Celtic:

    Boruc

    Wilson Caldwell McManus Wallace(Pearson 56)

    Nakamura Petrov Jarosik McGeady

    Miller Zurawski(Beattie 74)

    Subs Not Used: Marshall, Varga, Sno, Thompson, Riordan.

    Goals:
    McManus 28
    Petrov 65


    St Mirren: Chris Smith, van Zanten, Broadfoot, Potter, Millen, Murray, Brady(Brittain 77), Lappin, Molloy(McKenna 82), Kean(Mehmet 69), Sutton.

    Subs Not Used: Bullock, Corcoran, Maxwell, McCay.


    Attendance: 56,579

    Referee: B Winter