Celtic’s performance against St Mirren was about as powder-puff as Michael Nicholson’s at the AGM.
The Hoops didn’t manage a single shot on goal in a first half that was bereft of anything that fans have seen from a Martin O’Neill Celtic side.
Celtic looked bereft of ideas, invention and attacking flair as the Bhoys toiled in Paisley to a St Mirren side who looked the better of the two in the first 45 minutes.
The second half started off brightly as O’Neill brought on Luke McCowan for Johnny Kenny, but like the rest of the match, that bright start soon faded into obscurity before Callum McGregor’s wonder strike mugged St Miren in Paisley.
So with that in mind, here are Celtic’s player ratings as Martin O’Neill’s side stole three points in a 1-0 win over St Mirren in Paisley.
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Celtic player ratings vs St Mirren
Kasper Schmeichel – 6
Didn’t really have much to do with no teams having a shot on target in the first half. Schmeichel was well beaten as St Mirren hit the post, but the Celtic goalkeeper wasn’t troubled much. Made a few important saves.
Anthony Ralston – 4
Had plenty of the ball in the first half but Ralston’s link-up play with Maeda was very poor. Was skinned a couple of times by St Mirren’s Declan John. Was dubious in possession as well. Replaced in the 72nd minute.
Auston Trusty – 5
Trusty was solid enough but wasn’t put under any real pressure. Dealt with anything the St Mirren wingers crossed in but was almost caught out in the first-half as he allowed a cross to flash across the front of Schmeichel’s goal.
Liam Scales – 4
Scales came from the high of the international break with Ireland to having a disappointing night for Celtic against St Mirren. Was very lucky to have his own goal chalked off by VAR for offside in the 70th minute.
Kieran Tierney – 5
The Scotland hero tried to get involved in the first half and tried to put in a few early crosses but, in truth, Tierney struggled just like the rest of his Celtic teammates. Taken off in the 72nd minute.
Callum McGregor – 8
The Celtic captain huffed and puffed but failed to blow the St Mirren midfield down. McGregor tried to play forward but with no movement up front, he was limited with options to choose from. A wonder goal rescues the three points in Paisley.
Reo Hatate – 3
The Japanese midfielder’s miserable season continued as Hatate put in another anonymous performance. Cynical fouls and a clear disinterest must surely mean the international midfielder will find himself on the Celtic sidelines soon.
Arne Engels – 5
The Belgian got a rare start as Engels was given the nod to start against the Buddies. No shots, no invention and a poor game as the young midfielder struggles this season in the Hoops jersey. Subbed on the 85th minute.
Sebastian Tounekti – 5
Tried to be a pest in the opening stages of the game but as the first half wore on, so did Tounekti’s effectiveness. The Tunisian’s end product comes into question and managed just one shot on goal.
Daizen Maeda – 4
The Japanese striker was poor again as Maeda started on the right wing. Not a single shot on goal sums the pacey striker’s night up.
Johnny Kenny – 3
After the highs of the international break with Ireland, Kenny was brought back down to earth with a bump. The young striker’s sclaffed shot towards the end of the first-half summed his and Celtic’s poor night in Paisley. Hooked at half-time.
Luke McCowan (sub) – 4
Given the full second-half to make an impact McCowan started off brightly but then quickly faded out of the game. Managed two shots on goal, both blocked.
Hyunjun Yang (sub) – 3
A 67th-minute sub, Yang replaced Tounekti to try and inject something into a Celtic attack that was powder-puff. Two shots blocked, but nothing much else from the South Korean winger.
Dane Murray (sub) – 4
Replacing Ralston, young Dane Murray made his first appearance since the 3-1 defeat to Hearts at Tynecastle. With just 18 minutes under his belt, the young defender still had one more shot on target than Daizen Maeda.
Benjamin Nygren (sub) – 4
Nygren started on the bench despite having scored his third goal for Sweden midweek. Was given just 18 minutes to make an impact but was largely disappointing.
Colby Donovan (sub) – 4
Brought on in the 85th minute to offer balance on the right-hand side for Celtic but, in truth, Donovan didn’t have much time to impact a game that was largely disappointing.
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