St Mirren left short by injury blows ahead of Celtic visit; Robinson shares tactical approach

By John McGinley

May 20, 2023

St Mirren only have one fit senior striker for their trip to Celtic Park this afternoon, manager Stephen Robinson has confirmed to reporters.

Attacker Alex Greive and midfielder Ryan Flynn are the latest to be struck down with issues, as Robinson turns to Curtis Main to lead the line at Paradise. Tony Watt and Jonah Ayunga are also unavailable.

Robinson said [Scottish Daily Mail, 20/05 print edition page 117]: “Alex won’t be available – Curtis Main is our only fit senior striker – and neither will Ryan, both ankle ligament injuries. Both will be a struggle to play any more football this season. It is not major injuries but we are probably looking at two to three weeks for both of them.

“It’s a blow because Tony has already gone back to Dundee United injured and Jonah is injured, so we are quite short up front. Lewis Jamieson and Kieran Offord will come into contention.”

While Celtic have nothing tangible to play for this afternoon, having already sealed the Scottish Premiership title, the Buddies are hunting European qualification and will be going all out to secure a positive result against the Bhoys.

Robinson continued: “We have to do it the hard way. We need to get points in the next two games and try to take it down to the last game against Rangers, that we still have a chance. We will go to Celtic Park with a real positive attitude. I’m not going to sit back and lose 1-0. If we have a right go at it and get beat 3-0 or 4-0, then so be it.”

That approach will hopefully lead to an exciting 90 minutes. It certainly plays into Celtic’s hands if the Bhoys show better form than they have in recent weeks. There should be space for our creative players to exploit.

But St Mirren can’t be taken for granted despite all of this. They are one of the only teams to get the better of us domestically this season. Ange Postecoglou’s team have to start getting back to the form that delivered the title in the first place with a huge cup final looming in just a couple of weeks’ time.

In other news, Chris Sutton makes Celtic Champions League prediction.