Celtic rode their luck in the first-half of their league clash vs St Mirren this evening.
Kasper Schmeichel was called upon as many as three times before the half-time whistle to stand up incredibly well and keep the Buddies out with the likes of Toyosi Olusanya and Mark O’Hara having big opportunities to score.
Celtic’s defence were at sixes and sevens at times before the break and it was their goalkeeper they had to thank for keeping the score down.
Somehow Celts found themselves a goal up thanks to Jeffrey Schlupp’s first strike since his deadline day move to Parkhead from Crystal Palace on loan.
Stephen McGinn says Celtic defender Scales was lucky
A terrific Declan John free-kick then levelled proceedings before an Arne Engels penalty gave his side the lead again which, at the time of writing, it remains 2-1 to the visitors in Paisley.
Olusanya had another massive chance for St Mirren with the score locked at 1-1 after a long ball from Marcus Fraser from the right-back slot.
And substitute Liam Scales, according to Stephen McGinn on BBC Sportsound’s coverage, was lucky to see the effort sail over the crossbar and not nestling into the back of the net.
According to the former St Mirren and Falkirk captain, Scales took a risk unnecessarily in allowing the ball to find its way through to the striker when he could have cut it out with a header.
How Celtic are faring at half-time vs St Mirren
And the Irishman was lucky not to concede a goal as Schmeichel voiced his frustration.
“I’d like to see it again but I think Liam Scales has got away with one. I think he’s taken a chance and he’s hoping the ball will go through to Kasper Schmeichel,” McGinn said.
“You can’t take chances against Olusanya because he gets there, and I think that’s a huge opportunity. I think he goes with the wrong foot.
“I think if he goes with the left foot he scores. That would give you so much encouragement that even though he was right up against Scales he can still get through.”
Celtic lead 2-1 in Paisley with St Mirren, admittedly, providing more of a challenge than manager Brendan Rodgers would have wanted.
The boss also explained why Jota was benched for this one before kick-off.
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