Ryan Mullen faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines for St Mirren, quashing unfair talk that he feigned injury against Celtic.
Mullen, a product of the Parkhead youth academy, had an afternoon to forget in Sunday’s Scottish Cup semi-final.
Just 21 seconds into the game, a poor touch from the goalkeeper allowed the pressing machine that is Daizen Maeda to pounce, handing Celtic the perfect start.
The Hoops players (and fans) continued to give Mullen a nightmare whenever he had the ball, but he was swiftly withdrawn through injury after 21 minutes.
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Ryan Mullen faces four months out for St Mirren after Celtic injury
Mullen received abuse online from St Mirren fans, and some on social media even accused him of feigning the injury.
However, according to the Scottish Sun, Mullen now faces four months on the sidelines with a serious thigh injury.
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He played on for 20 minutes with the injury, sustaining it when swinging to clear the ball which deflected off the Celtic striker and into the net.
First choice Buddies keeper Shamal George was injured in the week leading up to the game, leading Mullen to get the nod.
His injury meant that 17-year-old Grant Tamosevicius was drafted in for his senior debut. Regardless, the Paisley side managed to take the game to extra time, before being obliterated in the opening stages of the added period.
Kelechi Iheanacho made the difference from the bench with a fine brace, whilst Luke McCowan and Benjamin Nygren also got in on the act.
Martin O’Neill will now face ex-ally Neil Lennon in the final against Dunfermline.
St Mirren, on the other hand, are reportedly now seeking an emergency loan signing to deal with the unique circumstances.
Mullen was brought to Paisley from local rivals Greenock Morton on a free transfer over the summer. He has also played for Clyde, Queen’s Park and Cove Rangers.
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Martin O’Neill on Celtic’s win over St Mirren
Speaking after the game, O’Neill said: “We got off to a great start, Daizen Maeda closing down and scoring the goal.
“I was hoping then that we would take the initiative; I thought we had a lot of possession. I mentioned to you the other day that sometimes, maybe, we should try to look forward a wee bit more quickly.
“But overall, we were in good control of the game, then their first corner, Viljami Sinisalo has to make a really great save, and I thought that gave St Mirren a big, big boost. Because the game wasn’t out of sight.
“Having said this, we scored just at the half-time whistle. I just never felt really comfortable, even at 2-0.
“What I was really pleased about was the extra time, which was naturally when the players were really disappointed. Having to raise themselves again for the extra time.”
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