Callum McGregor delivered a stunning 95th-minute winner to hand Celtic a last-gasp victory over St Mirren in Paisley, cutting the gap to Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts to four points.
The Celtic captain collected the ball 30 yards out, shifted it onto his left foot and unleashed a spectacular strike into the top corner, leaving goalkeeper Shamal George helpless.
St Mirren, who had the better chances throughout, were left devastated. Conor McMenamin twice went close in the first half, striking wide and then hitting the post. After the break, Celtic defender Liam Scales turned the ball into his own net, but McMenamin was ruled offside.
Celtic created very little, failing to register a shot on target until stoppage time. But McGregor’s moment of brilliance rescued the champions, who were urged by their captain to lift the atmosphere in the away end.
“We’ve won the game with a wonder strike,” said interim boss Martin O’Neill, relieved but still frustrated by his team’s lack of creativity.
Protests Continue Despite Victory
The match unfolded just a day after Celtic’s AGM was abandoned due to fan unrest. Chants of “sack the board” echoed through the stadium both early in the match and again after McGregor’s goal.
Despite the tension, the win keeps Celtic within touching distance at the top ahead of a demanding run of 10 matches in 38 days.
St Mirren, meanwhile, stay ninth and extend their winless league run to six games, although their energetic performance suggests better results may come soon. Alex Gogic impressed at the back, Declan John looked lively, and Mikael Mandron caused problems up front.
Manager Stephen Robinson felt decisions went against his side once again, saying: “The fine margins are really hurting us. We deserved more.”
Both sides will meet again next month in the Premier Sports Cup final at Hampden, where St Mirren will hope to turn their strong display into a shock result.
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