Celtic player ratings vs St Mirren as inspirational 8 seals get out of jail card amid continuing board anger

Celtic snatched a last gasp 1-0 win during their clash with St Mirren in the Premiership.

Sebastian Tounekti missed an opening chance for the champions as the hosts also passed up opportunities to get ahead. VAR intervened to rule out an opener for Stephen Robinson’s team before Hoops captain Callum McGregor scored a raker deep into second half stoppage time. Celtic sit second and have cut Hearts’ lead in first to four points.

Focus for interim boss Martin O’Neill might have been on the pitch but fans have minds elsewhere. They want to know who the permanent successor to Brendan Rodgers will be and an adjourned AGM on Friday has only heightened bad blood running between sections of the support and those in top office at the champions. That theme continued as red cards were shown ahead of kick-off with vocal anti-board chant apparent for all to see and hear.

The Buddies should have been ahead inside seven minutes when Declan John’s teasing cross begged for a touch but nobody could convert. Tounekti had similar feelings at the other end as he cut inside a fired over from on the edge of the box, and Conor McMenamin whistled a shot off the post in another Buddies opening. Against opposition they’ll play in the Premier Sports Cup final next month, Celtic struggled to get any sort of attacking intensity going and Saints were causing issues going forward.

Midfielder Luke McCowan came on for striker Johnny Kenny to put Daizen Maeda through the middle and his pace caused instant issues for the home backline. St Mirren were dropping deeper and deeper but VAR needed called upon for a possible opener, a reprieve for Liam Scales through offside, as the Celtic defender looked to have put it into his own net.

Just as hope looked lost in what had been an overall drab affair with questionable displays, captain McGregor stepped up with a sensational drive into the top corner to claim three vital points, as a week of anger turned to a moment of joy. Chants of sack the board amid the euphoria shows the scale of work that needs done between board and their fans, even if the team has the punter backing. Here is how we rated the Celtic players in Paisley.

Kasper Schmeichel - 6/10

Zipped distribution looked eye-catching as he was otherwise untroubled. A comfy night.

Anthony Ralston - 5/10

Back in the team. Beat too easily on a couple of occasions but overall ok at the back, not a lot going on in attack. Will have chance to stake his claim with Alistair Johnston out long term.

Auston Trusty - 7/10

Looks set for an extended run amid injuries. Dealt with the up and at them approach his foes put towards him. A decent shift in limiting opposition attacks.

Liam Scales - 7/10

One of the ever-presents now in this team. Looked to have put one beyond Schmeichel but VAR intervened. Couple of important passes and blocks and dealt with direct attacking play well. Moved to left-back too and handled that well.

Kieran Tierney - 5/10

Fresh off Scotland heroics and into the XI. Not troubled in a defensive sense too much but Jayden Richardson burst past him a couple times. Threat going forward was minimal.

Callum McGregor - 8/10

Skipper anchored the midfield. Looked to try and drive the team forward but little was coming off ahead of him. Everything else neat and tidy before becoming the big game player in the big moment. Huge.

Arne Engels - 5/10

Belgian got on the ball but struggled to break down the Saints defence. Not a team that’s easy to play through and going over the top did little.

Reo Hatate - 5/10

Wasteful at times with the ball. Some neat passing but drifted out the game in stages. Has quality to spark a game like this

Sebastian Tounekti - 4/10

Should have netted in the first half and booked for cynical foul on Killian Phillips. A few driving runs but not impact before being subbed. A frustrating evening.

Johnny Kenny - 4/10

Not really a factor in the opening half in a physical mismatch against Alex Gogic. Subbed in a tactical re-think, not a game he was suited for on a difficult night.

Daizen Maeda - 6/10

Another who was crowded out the game and little first half impact. Much brighter at start of second and was an issue for the hosts, particular on the pace front. Limping from a Hoops point of view near end but made it to the end.

Luke McCowan - 6/10

Instant impact off the bench and his role off the right caused St Mirren issues, and opened up Maeda. One of the better performers on a drab night despite only playing a half.

Yang - 3/10

Handed a chance off the bench. Very little to note.

Dane Murray - 3/10

Provided right-footed balance in defence.

Benjamin Nygren - 4/10

Instantly sparked a bit of drive from the middle after coming on.

Colby Donovan - N/A

A late cameo with five minutes left.