Mark O’Hara shares how Celtic ruined St Mirren’s gameplan and ‘started strutting about’ in Paisley win

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Celtic’s win over St Mirren was a fairly routine one in what is generally regarded as a tricky away tie in Paisley.

Goals from Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate and Alistair Johnston restored Celtic’s two-point lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership and ultimately put the Hoops in a good position ahead of Sunday’s Glasgow Derby against Rangers.

However, it was McGregor’s early strike that particularly irked St Mirren midfielder, Mark O’Hara, as the Buddies star explained his frustration at what Celtic did to undo the Paisley clubs’ gameplan.

‘Quality’ Celtic frustrated O’Hara

The St Mirren midfielder said his team had a plan to stop Celtic but all that went out the window after Callum McGregor’s third-minute strike put Brendan Rodgers’ side on the road to an easy win.

O’Hara told the Paisley Daily Express [print edition page 24], “Conceding early isn’t ideal when you work on a game plan

“To go 1-0 down early doors kind of changes things. They were pretty dominant, we couldn’t really get our game plan going. But they are a quality side.

“You know they’re going to come out fast. We have been working on what to expect from them and we know they do start fast.

“We had to try and stop that but it was a strike from the edge of the box – a good strike – and there is not much you can do about that.

“Obviously, I think it is very difficult. Ideally, we wanted to keep them out for as long as possible, frustrate them and try to hit them on the break. It didn’t work for us when we went 1-0 down.

“They got confidence from that and started strutting about. It was frustrating to concede so early. But, as I say, it was a good finish from the edge of the box.

“We can’t feel down about it as we have a massive game this weekend to look forward to.”

Celtic were excellent against St Mirren and didn’t give Stephen Robinson’s side a chance after completely dominating the fixture.

Now Brendan Rodgers will be busy preparing his side for the visit of Rangers and if Celtic can keep their early season blistering starts going, Philippe Clement’s side could be in for a torrid time at Celtic Park on Sunday.