Magic McCourt sends Celtic clear

Paddy McCourt’s superb solo effort and a late Shaun Maloney strike gave Celtic a routine victory over a spirited St. Mirren outfit on Saturday afternoon.

McCourt has struggled with injury and selection since his arrival from Derry 15 months ago, but he made his mark at the new St. Mirren Park with his second goalscoring performance in the space of four days.

                      

                                              McCourt & McDonald celebrate Celtic’s first goal                

Celtic controlled the game straight from the start, with Chris Killen and McCourt both firing over from distance in the opening 13 minutes.

To be honest, though, there appeared to be a certain flatness about the match until McCourt opened the scoring midway through the half.

The Northern Ireland international, who had shown glimpses of his skill beforehand, picked the ball up after Hoops midfielder Scott Brown had robbed Stephen McGinn in the middle of the park.

He skipped past five St Mirren challenges on his way into the box before rifling an unstoppable angled-shot past Paul Gallacher from 18 yards.

                       

                                              Shaun Maloney scored his third goal of the seaon

Celtic almost extended their lead in the 35th minute when Andreas Hinkel’s left-footed drive from distance forced Gallacher to make a decent save down at his left-hand post.

St. Mirren tried to up the tempo after this, as Billy Mehmet’s shot from the edge of the area took a deflection and flew out for a corner to the relief of Artur Boruc.

The Buddies started the second half in a more positive mode but still Boruc remained a spectator and the game soon returned to the slackness which was all to evident for most of the first period.

                               

                                                               St. Mirren: No cutting edge

In the 66th minute Boruc had to react quickly for almost the first time in the game, clutching safely as Mehmet’s cross-cum-shot made its way through a ruck of players.

Niall McGinn replaced the fatigued McCourt and 15 minutes from the end St. Mirren breached the Celtic defence for the first time when Mehmet played in Dorman at the edge of the box.

The Buddies’ substitute hit the byline before cutting the ball back to Craig Dargo, whose goalbound shot from 10 yards was blocked by Glen Loovens with the Parkhead men scurrying to clear their lines.

                                            

                                                              Tony Mowbray: Not best pleased

Celtic kept up the pressure though and eventually killed of the hosts challenge when Brown’s looping cross from the right found its way to the back post, and Maloney delightfully curled his shot back across goal and past Gallacher to clinch victory.

It had been a subdued performance from Celtic though, and afterwards Tony Mowbray concluded, “There was some poor decision making and poor performances from some players, if we’re honest. They’ve been told they’ve got to do a lot better than that if we’re going to find consistency throughout the season.”

Celtic have now established an early four point lead at the top table, and with the first Old Firm match of the season only a couple of days away there is already added pressure on Rangers to peg back their rivals.