Defending Scottish Premiership champions Celtic held on to all three points in their 2025/26 season opener on Sunday after a narrow 1-0 win against St. Mirren.Ā Scorer: McCowan 87'The stage was set a...
Defending Scottish Premiership champions Celtic held on to all three points in their 2025/26 season opener on Sunday after a narrow 1-0 win against St. Mirren.Ā
Scorer: McCowan 87'
The stage was set at Celtic Park as a sold-out crowd held on to their seats before seeing the hosts eventually emerge victorious.Ā
Celtic dominated the game statistically with 11 shots to four and more than 75% possession of the ball. However, their finishing skills were largely missing.Ā
Both Alistair Johnston and Kieran Tierney were trying to kickstart the team's attack, but struggled to connect with Adam Idah andĀ Daizen Maeda. Benjamin Nygren also saw an effort pushed over.
Meanwhile, against the run of play, St. Mirren captainĀ Mark O'Hara called goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel into action with a shot from distance.
š¬ So close on the stroke of half-time. Benjamin Nygren fires a shot towards goal from close range which the keeper touches on to the crossbar.#CELSTM | #CelticFCš pic.twitter.com/AsAYpWrPGT
ā Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) August 3, 2025
Celtic's dominance continued after the break, and a few other names tried to break the deadlock, including Reo Hatate, who saw an attempt pinball off all parts of the goal frame.Ā
In the 68th minute, however, the ball was finally in the net. Callum McGregor thought he had lifted a big sigh of relief off the hosts, until VAR ruled the goal out for a handball.
But the team's persistence proved vital. Idah later saw an effort hit off the post, and as the clock counted down with pressure mounting, Luke McCowan's deflected shot nestled home for 1-0.
It's the start to the season Celtic would have wanted, as the club eyes making it five-in-a-row and a record-breaking 56th league title.
šø Marco Luzzani - 2025 Getty Images
Category: General Sports