Celtic Look to Extend Winning Run at St Mirren
Can St Mirren halt Celtic's perfect start to the Scottish Premiership season? Sports Mole previews Sunday's clash at Paisley, including team news, possible lineups and a prediction.
St Mirren return to action on Sunday aiming to bounce back from a disappointing run of form, having suffered three consecutive defeats across all competitions following a promising start to the campaign.
The Saints opened the 2024-25 season by overcoming Valur Reykjavik in Europa Conference League qualifying, followed by a resounding 3-0 victory over Hibernian in their Scottish Premiership opener thanks to goals from Roland Idowu and a brace from Oisin Smyth. However, their momentum was halted after a 1-1 draw in the home leg of their third qualifying round tie against SK Brann.
A 3-1 defeat at Pittodrie against Aberdeen in their second league outing, despite initially equalising in the first half through Toyosi Olusanya, further dented their spirits. They then suffered a 3-1 loss to SK Brann in the second leg in Norway, ending their European adventure.
Their recent woes continued in the Scottish League Cup second round, where they were edged out 1-0 by Dundee United at Tannadice Park. Ross Graham's first-half strike proved decisive, extending St Mirren's losing streak.
With their focus now fully on the Scottish Premiership, St Mirren will be eager to pick up their first league win in three matches and add to their current tally of three points.
However, they face a daunting task against the reigning champions, Celtic, who are aiming to make it three wins from three in the league and four consecutive victories across all competitions this season.
Under the stewardship of returning manager Brendan Rodgers, Celtic are seeking their fourth consecutive Scottish Premiership title, a 13th in a 14-year spell and their 55th overall. They finished last season eight points clear of rivals Rangers, having amassed a formidable 93 points.
The Hoops have started the new season with characteristic dominance, winning their opening two league matches without conceding a goal. A 4-0 demolition of Kilmarnock in their opener saw goals from Reo Hatate, Liam Scales, Nicolas Kuhn, and Anthony Ralston. This was followed by a 2-0 victory over Hibernian, with Kuhn and Callum McGregor finding the back of the net.
Celtic continued their winning streak in the Scottish League Cup, securing a 3-1 victory over Hibernian. Daizen Maeda opened the scoring with a brace before Kuhn extended their lead before the hour mark.
With a perfect start already under their belt, Celtic will be looking to extend their winning run at Paisley and maintain their early dominance in the title race.
Team News
St Mirren continue to be hampered by injury concerns ahead of the clash. Midfielders Caolan Boyd-Munce and Dennis Adeniran missed last weekend's match against Dundee United, joining Greg Kiltie, Connor McMenamin, and Mark O'Hara on the sidelines.
If their absences persist, Fraser Taylor could once again partner Roland Idowu and Oisin Smyth in midfield. Alex Iacovitti, Alex Gogic, and Marcus Fraser are expected to start in an unchanged back three.
Toyosi Olusanya, who has scored three goals already this season, should retain his place in attack. Jonah Ayunga and Mikael Mandron, the club's top scorer last season with 11 goals, will be vying for a starting berth alongside him if manager Stephen Robinson opts for a 3-5-2 formation.
Celtic are expected to travel to Paisley with a fully fit squad. Brendan Rodgers may opt to field the same starting XI that secured a 3-1 victory over Hibernian in the Scottish League Cup, with Daizen Maeda leading the line in the absence of Kyogo Furuhashi, having scored a brace in that game.
Despite competition from Adam Idah and Luis Palma, Maeda is likely to be joined in a front three by James Forrest and Nicolas Kuhn, who has found the back of the net in each of their three matches so far this season, matching his tally from last season.
Matt O'Riley, the club's top scorer last season with 18 goals, is expected to continue his starring role in midfield, despite reported interest from other clubs. Callum McGregor and Reo Hatate are also likely to retain their places in the engine room.
Possible Starting Lineups
St Mirren: Balcombe; Fraser, Gogic, Iacovitti; Rooney, Smyth, Taylor, Idowu, Tanser; Mandron, Olusanya.
Celtic: Schmeichel; Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Taylor; O'Riley, Hatate, McGregor; Kuhn, Maeda, Forrest.
Prediction:
With St Mirren struggling for form and Celtic having hit the ground running in their title defence, we anticipate a comfortable victory for the Hoops.
Sports Mole's prediction: St Mirren 0-2 Celtic.
