St Mirren suffered a 2-1 defeat to Celtic in the William Hill Premiership on Friday, surrendering a half-time lead. The Paisley side took the advantage through a Nikolas Agrafiotis penalty but saw goals from Liam Scales and Yang Hyun-jun turn the game around after the interval.
This result, reported by STV News, leaves St Mirren third in the Premiership with 10 points from five games. Their recent form reads LWDWW, and they now sit five points behind the league leaders, Celtic. The team has scored eight goals and conceded five this season for a +3 goal difference.
How did St Mirren lose their lead?
Craig McLeish's side executed their game plan well in the first period. They earned a penalty which Nikolas Agrafiotis converted confidently, sending the home side into the break with a deserved advantage. The second half, however, saw a shift in momentum. Celtic's pressure told as Liam Scales found an equaliser. The decisive moment came when Camilo Duran, who had a goal disallowed for offside earlier, provided the assist for Yang Hyun-jun's winner.
St Mirren had moments of their own to level the score. An 18-year-old on-loan Chelsea forward, Shim Mheuka, thought he had scored a dramatic equaliser, only for VAR to rule it out for offside. The fine margins of the game ultimately went against the Saints.
Which St Mirren players stood out?
Several individuals showed promise in a competitive performance. Mika Baur was heavily involved in midfield, dictating play and breaking up Celtic attacks. Haissem Hassan demonstrated significant running power, though his final product was mixed on the night. Martin O'Neill, observing for Celtic, noted Hassan's one-on-one ability. "Hassan, one v ones, he can beat players all day long," O'Neill said. He also suggested the player needs to improve defensively and get up to speed with the league's demands.
New signing Ismael Kabia, on loan from Arsenal, was a bright spark. He caused consistent problems for Celtic's Colby Donovan with his direct running. Manager Craig McLeish was effusive in his praise for the player they worked hard to acquire. "He's a fantastic player and that's why we were so desperate to bring him to the club," McLeish stated. He added that Kabia needs time to trust himself fully, but players of his type can create major issues when they get past opposing full-backs.
What is the full squad situation?
The defeat comes as St Mirren prepare for a tough run of fixtures, starting with an away match against Rangers on September 9th. You can view the full upcoming schedule on our fixtures page. The squad is currently dealing with several absences. Key players Keanu Baccus, Killian Phillips, Liam Donnelly, and Malik Dijksteel are all currently sidelined, which McLeish must account for in his selections. The latest availability news is always on our injuries page.
Despite the loss, the performance offered encouragement. McLeish emphasised his desire for a team that carries a constant threat. He wants exciting players who can ghost past defenders in tight areas and make things happen. The early signs from Kabia suggest he could be that kind of player. The manager also hinted that young forward Shim Mheuka could be in line for starts soon, saying he could be starting games "in the not-too-distant future."
Where does this leave St Mirren in the table?
Sitting in third place with 10 points is a solid start to the campaign. The standings show a tight battle at the top, and this performance against the champions proves St Mirren can compete with the best. The immediate focus shifts to the trip to Ibrox, where they will face a Rangers side currently fourth in the table. Maintaining their positive early-season form will be the challenge after this narrow setback.
