Celtic In Seventh Heaven​

Nakamura with a stunning hat-trick​

CELTIC: Boruc; Hinkel, Caldwell, McManus, Naylor(O'Dea 22); Nakamura, Brown, Crosas, McGeady, McDonald(Samaras 67), Vennegoor of Hesselink(Hutchinson 76)
Subs: Fox, Loovens, Flood, Hartley.
ST MIRREN: Smith, Ross(Sent off, 22), Haining, Potter, Camara; Murray, Dorman, Mason, Brady, Thomson; Mehmet(Dargo 67)
Subs: Howard, Wyness, Hamilton, Barron, McGinn, Burns



As the scoreline suggests Celtic were intent upon closing the goal difference gap on their arch rivals at the top and with Rangers having defeated Hamilton 1-0 in the earlier kick off, it was important for Celtic to record their first win in four SPL games. Scoring of late has been a huge problem for Celtic, and they would no doubt be keen to mend this fault.

The first half started with some promising attacking runs from the midfield and Andreas Hinkel in particular who was at the centre of most of the offensive play in the first 45 minutes.

The goals have not been coming from the strikers and it remained that way in the first period with Shunsuke Nakamura scoring two wonderful goals. The first came on the 16th minute when Nakamura recieved a pass from Stephen McManus and dispatched the ball neatly into the corner of the net, the keeper got a touch but was powerless to stop the ball crossing the line.

The talented midfielder started and finished his second goal, breaking from a St. Mirren attack before playing it wide to Andreas Hinkel, the German then held up the ball for Nakamura to run forward a few yards before giving it back to the Japanese international who slotted it home with his left foot, making it look so easy in the process.

In between the two first half goals Celtic were awarded a penalty when Craig Ross brought down Scott McDonald in the box before seeing red on the 28th minute. Jan Vennegoor Of Hesselink stepped up but his shot was saved by the Buddies' goalkeeper.

The first half ended with Celtic having a lions' share of the possesion and playing attractive attacking play; with goalkeeper Artur Boruc not having a single shot to save few could complain at the Hoops' first half performance.



The second half began with Celtic taking the kick off, they quickly went forward and Scott McDonald had a great chance to score, but blew his volley over the bar. Shortly afterwards Aiden McGeady showed great pace and skill to break free from his marker and burst into the box to win a corner from a defender's tackle.

From the corner Celtic won yet another corner, though this time when the ball was cleared it landed perfectly for Marc Crosas to let fly a wonderful swerving strike which flew in at high speed, leaving the St. Mirren goalkeeper absolutely no chance of making a save. The young Spaniard had scored earlier in the week for the reserves for his first goal in the Hoops, and now he has scored his first goal for the first team. An absolutely stunning strike which could win 'Goal of the Season.'

Crosas scores his first Celtic goal in style.​

Brown made it four only minutes later with a simple finish set up by some clever play on the left wing from Aiden McGeady and Darren O'Dea, the midfielder recieved the pass, took it under control and passed it under the St. Mirren goalkeeper. It was going to be a long second half for the Paisley club, with the goals flying in for the Hoops, few would bet against a 'cricket score' with over 30 minutes remaining.

On the 58th minute Shunsuke Nakamura completed his second hat-trick in the Hoops with a stunning free kick from 25 yards. The Celtic fans will be hoping the Japanese international will stay for another season at the Bhoys!

Scott Brown made it 6 on the 66th minute with a deadly finish after breaking the off-side trap. Georgios Samaras then replaced Scott McDonald.

Aiden McGeady then tried to give Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink a goal on a plate but the Dutchman was a yard short of the pace as the ball trundled by for a goal kick.

John Potter then made it 7-0 for Celtic when the St. Mirren defender put a diving header past his own goalkeeper from an Andreas Hinkel cross. Ben Hutchinson then replaced Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink.

Scott Brown nearly completed his hat trick late on in the game with a left foot shot but sent it wide.

With the final whistle being blown Celtic had hammered St. Mirren with Artur Boruc having nothing to do for the full 90 minutes.

The goal difference advantage Rangers had at the top has been slashed dramatically to a mere 4, and Celtic are looking like Champions once again. Though despite the stunning scoreline, all the goals came from midfield which leaves the problem of no strikers scoring goals for the Bhoys.