Celtic remain top of the Scottish Premier League after weathering a storm to beat St Mirren 2-0 at a very windy St Mirren Park on Saturday.
James Forrest netted 20 minutes from time before Scott Brown wrapped up the win close to the end. However, Bhoys boss Neil Lennon was also indebted to his goalkeeper Fraser Forster, who made several fine saves to prevent St Mirren from having earlier gone in front.
Indeed Forster was the first cutodian tested when he had to keep out a half-volley from Buddies defender Marc McAusland, after he met ex-Celtic man Graham Carey’s corner.
Up the other end, Celtic’s in-demand forward Gary Hooper collected the ball from Georgios Samaras and had a go from 35 yards. The wiind aided its movement, leaving Craig Samson having to scramble across his line to keep the danger out.
Steven Thompson then diverted the ball towards hs own goal and Samson had to save again, before the same player went close for his own team as he headed a cross from debutant Dougie Imrie at goal but Forster saved.
Celtic were by no means dominant, and Carey went close for Danny Lennon’s men shortly before the break when his angled volley from just inside the area flew narrowly wide. A Forrest cross took a deflection and hit off the bar at the other end before half-time, at which it remaind 0-0.
The powerful winds continued to be more dominant than either side as the second half progressed, though St Mirren got something of a grip and Forster was called on to deny both Imrie and Paul McGowan, the latter forcing a fine stop from the on-loan Newcastle United goalkeeper from 10 yards.
Imrie went close again as the game headed for its final quarter, but Forster maintained his clean sheet and, in the 71st minute, his side grabbed the lead.
It was very harsh on St Mirren, who by now had every right to say they did not deserve to be behind. They were, however, when a punched clearance from Samson landed at the feet of Celtic skipper Brown. He was then free to roll the ball to Forrest, whose low shot finally broke the deadlock.
The hosts kept on going to their credit. Kenny McLean’s shot was far too high but, once again, Forster was needed to brilliantly deny a downward header from Lee Mair at the back post.
Hooper and McGowan exchanged chances before Brown finished things off when a corner fell to him just outside the St Mirren area, and he curled a beauty into Samson’s top corner.