Celtic edged past St Mirren 1-0 in their final Premiership game before the much-talked-about split, and while it was far from convincing, a win is a win, and that is all that matters at this stage of the season.
There were still more questions than answers across the 90 minutes, especially with Hearts securing a comeback victory over Motherwell to maintain pressure in this three-way title tussle.
It was another typical Celtic performance under Martin O’Neill, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain showcasing his calmness by slotting home the only goal of the game in the first half.
From Kelechi Iheanacho’s impact from the bench to Daizen Maeda’s improving form, here are three things 67 Hail Hail learned from the narrow, but important win at Celtic Park.
Thoughts on the 1-0 win?
Is it really all just about the result?
Kelechi Iheanacho caused Alex Gogic all sorts of problems
Despite Iheanacho’s winner against Dundee the week before, O’Neill opted against starting the free transfer, as he stuck with Tomas Cvancara up top instead.
After the hour mark, with Celtic winning 1-0, Iheanacho was introduced into the action, and he caused problems straight away.
Alex Gogic fouled Iheanacho several times before being booked – it should have happened earlier. But the St Mirren defender simply couldn’t handle the Celtic forward.
It’s perhaps a sign that the Nigeria star should start Celtic’s Scottish Cup semi-final against St Mirren next week at Hampden.
Daizen Maeda is getting better
The Japan star has always lacked that efficiency and clean nature in his play. That was proven once again here.
But you sense that energy, pro-active nature and threat is returning to Maeda’s game after a season of constant troubles.
Keep Maeda on that left flank because he is getting better, and he will soon be rewarded with a few goals.
St Mirren will cause problems at Hampden
Even though Stephen Robinson, who was in the dugout when St Mirren beat Celtic in the League Cup final in December, has left, it’s the same old story in this fixture, and that’s suffering.
O’Neill’s side had to claw their way to three points. It was ugly, and there were periods in the second half when the home side were put under immense pressure.
Make no bones about it, when the duo meet again next week for the Scottish Cup semi-final, expect Celtic to find it equally as difficult because St Mirren were the better team in the second half of this fixture.
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