2025 05 17 - Celtic vs St Mirren - 1st half - video Dailymotion

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00:00:00The European Cup for Celtic.

00:00:23Celtic have won the double.

00:00:26That is sensational.

00:00:30It's a title for Celtic.

00:00:32Celtic, unbelievable.

00:00:34Celtic have done it.

00:00:36They've always seemed to do it.

00:00:38It's so special, you can see it before your eyes.

00:00:41Celtic, we gloriously, we make history.

00:00:55Celtic, we gloriously, we make history.

00:01:25The European Cup for Celtic.

00:01:55Celtic, we gloriously, we make history.

00:01:58The European Cup for Celtic.

00:02:01Celtic, we gloriously, we make history.

00:02:04The European Cup for Celtic.

00:02:07Celtic, we gloriously, we make history.

00:02:10The European Cup for Celtic.

00:02:13Celtic, we gloriously, we make history.

00:02:16The European Cup for Celtic.

00:02:19This is what it's all about.

00:02:22And it's been a sight familiar to Celtic fans in recent times.

00:02:25In fact, in the last 14 seasons, 13 of them have ended

00:02:29with the Premiership Trophy at Celtic Park.

00:02:32Glasgow is indeed green and white,

00:02:34and in the glorious sunshine today,

00:02:36the fans will pay tribute to the manager and the players

00:02:39who have brought so much joy this season,

00:02:41and perhaps still more to come.

00:02:43It is Trophy Day in Paradise.

00:02:48It took a late winner against St Mirren on Trophy Day

00:02:51last year for Celtic to take a 3-2 victory

00:02:54on the final day of that season.

00:02:56Steven Robinson's side are here again.

00:02:58Three wins against the buddies already this season,

00:03:00but the fact they've managed yet another top-six finish

00:03:03shows that they will be a tough opponent to beat.

00:03:09And it is a very warm, literally a very warm welcome to Celtic Park.

00:03:14We're getting used to this kind of weather on Trophy Day,

00:03:17but the sun is shining, it is very warm,

00:03:19smiles are all around, and we're looking forward

00:03:21to a great afternoon's football.

00:03:23Kick-off is just under half an hour away,

00:03:25I'm here with former Celtic striker Simon Donnelly,

00:03:28who has experience winning titles at Celtic,

00:03:30it never gets old, it never gets boring.

00:03:33How much are you looking forward to this day and this occasion?

00:03:36Yes, I'm really looking forward to it,

00:03:38it's a fantastic backdrop here at Celtic Park,

00:03:40in the glorious sunshine, we've just crept into the shade slightly,

00:03:43but I'm really looking forward to the game.

00:03:45The level since the boys clinched the title has been phenomenal,

00:03:49Brendan changed the team around a little bit,

00:03:52and they still run away with a five-goal victory.

00:03:55So I'm looking forward to it today,

00:03:57it's a strong-looking team as you'll see in a minute,

00:03:59and then obviously we've got the cup final round the corner.

00:04:04I'm sure the cup final was in the manager's thoughts

00:04:08when he named the starting XI this afternoon,

00:04:10because it is a very strong starting XI for Celtic,

00:04:14Kasper Schmeichel in goal, Alistair Johnson,

00:04:16Cameron Carter-Vickers back in the side,

00:04:18saw two Liam Scales and Greg Taylor,

00:04:20Captain Callum McGregor anchoring that midfield alongside Paolo Bernardo,

00:04:24and Arnie Engels who's backing the side,

00:04:26Nicholas Kuhn dies in Maida,

00:04:28and Adam Eder through the middle,

00:04:31so a very strong-looking Celtic side.

00:04:33James Forrest on the bench, can he come on and get that all-important goal

00:04:37that would see him score in his 16th consecutive season?

00:04:41St Minnan will come here and give Celtic a real goal,

00:04:43we saw it last year, and we know that with Steven Robinson at the helm,

00:04:46they will not just sit back and let Celtic enjoy their afternoon

00:04:50lifting trophies in the sun, so expect a very competitive game.

00:04:57And it was a very competitive game, we got it,

00:04:59but Audrey Simon, you mentioned that,

00:05:01it was a bit of a dress rehearsal for the cup final,

00:05:04in some ways Celtic playing essentially a second-string side,

00:05:08and as you can see here, coming out really strong winners,

00:05:12and it shows the strength of depth in the squad,

00:05:14but also the determination for these players on the fringes

00:05:17to come and stake a claim and take the opportunity when it's given to them.

00:05:21Yeah, absolutely.

00:05:22We described it as second-string,

00:05:24and I said during the commentary the other night,

00:05:26I did mean that disrespectfully,

00:05:28because I thought the team were excellent the other night,

00:05:30they played some really good football,

00:05:32scored some top-quality goals on the night,

00:05:34and I think it comes from the manager and the coaching staff

00:05:37and the demands that they set,

00:05:38and the players, the levels that they set for themselves as well,

00:05:41they're playing, when you put that jersey on,

00:05:44you're always being judged, you're always being watched,

00:05:46they've got the cup final round the corner,

00:05:48and you look at, unfortunately,

00:05:49Rio Hurtado looks as if he's going to miss out,

00:05:51it's an opportunity for somebody else,

00:05:53and these guys, that's why they have to be ready.

00:05:57Johnny Kenny there scoring his first goal for Celtic,

00:05:59Mike Navrotsky in the first half we saw scoring his first goal,

00:06:02young Sean McArdle here, 17 years old,

00:06:04and he looks like he's been playing in pressure situations all his life.

00:06:08Really, really pleased with the young lad's contribution during the week,

00:06:12really caught the eye,

00:06:13he just looks as if he can go in there and handle it,

00:06:1517 years of age,

00:06:17and I think the fans look for these young ones coming through as well,

00:06:20coming through from the Celtic Boys' Club,

00:06:22he looked the part the other night,

00:06:24he's 17 years of age, he looked as if he could handle it quite easily.

00:06:28One thing we know we're going to get from St Mirren

00:06:31is a tough match,

00:06:33they've got Steven Robinson as a very, very experienced manager,

00:06:37we know he's good friends with Brendan Rodgers,

00:06:40but they're coming here, they're playing for pride,

00:06:42they've got a top-six finish,

00:06:44and they've had experience of coming here on trophy day,

00:06:47what kind of performance are you expecting from them?

00:06:50I think they want to come here and not give it to Celtic,

00:06:53the celebration's all one way,

00:06:55I think they've achieved that top-six for three seasons on the bounce,

00:06:58it's a fantastic achievement for Steven Robinson and his team,

00:07:01they want to come here like most teams,

00:07:03and try and frustrate and maybe catch something on the break,

00:07:06I just feel Celtic, in the form that they're in,

00:07:09St Mirren will just find it too small.

00:07:12They've already scored 11 goals against St Mirren this season,

00:07:16Celtic have been all about goals,

00:07:18in fact Brendan Rodgers mentioned a couple of weeks ago

00:07:21about a home goal-scoring record from the 2003-04 season of 62 goals,

00:07:27we're currently on 61 goals here at Celtic Park,

00:07:30so they could be looking to break that record this afternoon,

00:07:33and of course James Forrest as well,

00:07:35we know the team are just desperate for James to get a goal,

00:07:38just to clarify the situation,

00:07:40it can happen in the cup final as well,

00:07:42it doesn't have to be a league goal,

00:07:44but he would love nothing more than to get a goal,

00:07:47and it would mean joining the likes of Paul McStay and Jimmy Magrory

00:07:50to score in 16 consecutive seasons.

00:07:54So Celtic have been banging them in this season,

00:07:56and it's why we are so far clear at the top of the league,

00:07:59Celtic were crowned champions a couple of games ago,

00:08:02and you can see why,

00:08:04incredible points tally there of 91,

00:08:07so 17 points ahead of Rangers,

00:08:10who themselves are 17 points ahead of Hibernian,

00:08:14it really has been a dominant season from start to finish, Simon.

00:08:17It really has, a strong campaign again,

00:08:20to be that far ahead,

00:08:22and you look at the goals as well,

00:08:24plus 86, are the boys eyeing up plus 90 today? Possibly.

00:08:28But it's been a really successful campaign again,

00:08:31I think you touched on it, 13 titles in recent times,

00:08:34and it's important to acknowledge that achievement,

00:08:38don't get complacent with success in sport,

00:08:42the boys go out and treat every game like a cup final,

00:08:46and the standards have been set so high,

00:08:48to be that many points ahead,

00:08:50and be able to relax and enjoy today, it's incredible.

00:08:53This kind of atmosphere and this kind of occasion,

00:08:55do you think spurred the players on?

00:08:57I think it always does,

00:08:59wherever you go you're going to get supporters following you,

00:09:02in their numbers, we're in our home park here,

00:09:05and they want to impress again,

00:09:07they want to score some goals this afternoon,

00:09:09get the people off their seats,

00:09:11and show a real top-quality performance to finish the season off.

00:09:15Let's hear from the man who took over the captaincy from Scott Brown,

00:09:20and kept the standards really high in the dressing room,

00:09:23he's also won the title in all four of his seasons as Celtic captain,

00:09:27Calum McGregor, spoke to our reporter, Dylan Docherty.

00:09:50Calum, it's your fourth trophy day as Celtic captain,

00:09:53you're about to lift the Scottish Premiership trophy once again,

00:09:56how does it feel going into today,

00:09:58knowing that you'll have that honour yet again?

00:10:01Yeah, obviously amazing,

00:10:03you work the whole year,

00:10:05this is why you play football,

00:10:07you play football to win things,

00:10:09and when you get the build-up to these type of days,

00:10:12obviously first and foremost we have the game to try and win,

00:10:15we want to continue to perform and set markers all the time,

00:10:19so for the minute the focus is on the game,

00:10:22but like you said after the final whistle,

00:10:25everyone can celebrate,

00:10:27hopefully the supporters will come and enjoy the day,

00:10:30enjoy the game we'll put on our show hopefully,

00:10:32and then everyone together once the final whistle goes,

00:10:35we can have that moment where everyone's a champion again,

00:10:39and like you say we get to lift the trophy,

00:10:41which is always a huge honour anyway.

00:10:43I have to talk about your special team-mate of yours,

00:10:46you probably know who I'm referring to,

00:10:48James Forrest, most decorated Celt 26 major honours viewer,

00:10:53you're not far behind, you've got 24,

00:10:55how special is it to see a fellow academy graduate,

00:10:58Calum, reach that milestone,

00:11:00and I suppose does that drive you on to keep adding to your tally?

00:11:04Of course, even without that,

00:11:06but I think what's amazing is the fact that me and James

00:11:10are both coming through the academy,

00:11:12so I think for any of the young lads watching in the academy,

00:11:15they now see the platform that you can have,

00:11:18and what you can actually go on to achieve,

00:11:21because obviously that group before us was such a special group,

00:11:24we'd won the European Cup,

00:11:26and you almost felt like they were myths and legends

00:11:29that you could never get close to,

00:11:31and now me and James are in that type of bracket

00:11:34where we've been really, really successful Celtic players,

00:11:38and now you feel like it's normal,

00:11:41you feel like if we win another one,

00:11:43we win another one, we win another one,

00:11:45then the numbers just keep going,

00:11:48so it kind of helps normalise it for me and James,

00:11:51so hopefully now the next guys coming through will see that as well,

00:11:55where that is actually achievable as well,

00:11:58and again, just another word on James,

00:12:01he's been an unbelievable servant for the club,

00:12:04legend is the term that we can use for him

00:12:07because he's out there on his own,

00:12:09even again the other night,

00:12:11he's level of performance is so, so high,

00:12:14he helps the team so much,

00:12:16and it couldn't happen to a better guy,

00:12:18he's so humble the way he lives his life,

00:12:21the way he goes about his business at the training ground,

00:12:24he's just a perfect example for young guys to follow.

00:12:27And just finally, looking ahead Calum,

00:12:29next week it's the potential to end the season near perfect,

00:12:34as you said, you're already a treble winning captain,

00:12:37you've been a part of every single treble since 2017,

00:12:41how much would it mean to close out the season near perfect

00:12:44with a 6th in your locker and the club's in that time period?

00:12:48Yeah, I mean that's incredible,

00:12:51even just when you hear it out loud,

00:12:54but this is the standard we want to set,

00:12:57we want to set that we try and win everything that we're in,

00:13:00and of course cup final days bring a whole range of potential

00:13:06what could happen moments,

00:13:08and we need to try and minimise that as much as we can,

00:13:11we've shown that if we turn up and we play well

00:13:14and we do all the right things,

00:13:16then we know we have the ability to win,

00:13:18and that's all we have to focus on,

00:13:20we try and take away all the other elements of what might happen,

00:13:23and all these things we focus on the performance,

00:13:26we focus on doing our job, doing your own job,

00:13:29doing the job for the team,

00:13:31and hopefully we can have another special day,

00:13:33which would then mean, like you said,

00:13:356 trebles over that time,

00:13:37would be an incredible achievement,

00:13:39but my full focus is making sure we do everything we can

00:13:43to make sure we win the game.

00:13:53Nothing comes close to that feeling

00:13:55before the start of a new season,

00:13:57the anticipation of what the future might hold,

00:14:01the stories that are yet to be written,

00:14:06the memories that we'll make together.

00:14:13And there's only one place to watch the future unfold.

00:14:23Our home!

00:14:26CHEERING

00:14:34And together, we're back for the future.

00:14:41Renew your season ticket online now.

00:14:46No way is that Martin Compston's house, to be honest.

00:14:49Anyway, let's talk about Callum McGregor.

00:14:52A lot has been said, Simon, about Callum,

00:14:54but I think it's worth just realising what he took over from,

00:14:58or who he took over from at Celtic,

00:15:00because Scott Brown was an absolute legend at this club as a player,

00:15:04but more important as a captain

00:15:06and as an influence in the dressing room.

00:15:08We talk about standards, and credit to Scott Brown,

00:15:11because he's the one that taught Callum McGregor

00:15:13more than most about standards

00:15:15and about the role of being a Celtic captain,

00:15:17and for Callum to be able to take over that mantle

00:15:19and that responsibility

00:15:21and win the four titles that he has been given,

00:15:24the responsibility as captain, says so much about him.

00:15:27This season, I think it's fair to say,

00:15:29since he's retired from international duty,

00:15:31he's been able to concentrate a lot on his fitness and his freshness

00:15:34and that's shown, as we can see, in his goal tally this season.

00:15:37But overall, is there anything we can say

00:15:39that hasn't already been said about Callum McGregor's contribution?

00:15:42First of all, Gerry, in that interview,

00:15:44he tries to normalise the achievements,

00:15:46so it's not normal, it's exceptional,

00:15:49what he's achieved, having James Forrest at this club.

00:15:51And you're right, coming out of the shadows of Scott Brown,

00:15:54who's probably a different character to Callum,

00:15:56his leadership has been excellent.

00:15:58I think he's won ten golds this season.

00:16:01But what he's achieved at the club on a consistent level

00:16:04since he virtually came into the team, and James Forrest,

00:16:07we touched on young Sean McArdle earlier on,

00:16:09there's the role models that he looks up to,

00:16:11and anybody else that's coming through

00:16:13and has aspirations to be a success in Celtic's team,

00:16:15look at these two guys.

00:16:17And Callum talks about young Sean McArdle

00:16:20and how he's got all the tools to be a top player,

00:16:23and it's so important for a club like Celtic

00:16:25to have players like Callum McGregor and James Forrest,

00:16:28that the youngsters, the local youngsters can look to,

00:16:31because they literally can look at them and say,

00:16:33that could be me, they used to be me.

00:16:35That's exactly it, and that's why I think these two

00:16:38are so important in their role at the club.

00:16:41I just imagine they'd be so easy to manage as well,

00:16:45as I say, their leadership, he talks about James Forrest there,

00:16:48the humility, there's no airs or graces about James Forrest,

00:16:51but what he's achieved at this club is unbelievable,

00:16:54so it makes perfect sense for young lads like Sean McArdle,

00:16:57starting out on that long path to success,

00:17:00and I can't wait for Celtic to look to those two boys.

00:17:03And even players coming into the squad like Adam Ida,

00:17:05comes in, obviously a young Irish international,

00:17:07knows all about Celtic, but players like Callum and James

00:17:10he'll be able to look up to as well.

00:17:13Scotty's 20th goal of the season against Aberdeen the other night,

00:17:17incredible stats for a man who quite often doesn't start games,

00:17:21so great effect coming off the bench.

00:17:23Ironically, this is the first time since the 69-70 season

00:17:26where three players have scored 20 goals at least in a season,

00:17:30so the goals are coming from all over the place,

00:17:32Adam Ida, Nicolas Koonin and Dijon Maeda,

00:17:35of course he's a player that's really beginning to shine,

00:17:3824 years old, so you would expect him to become more of an influence.

00:17:41Yeah, I think so, and I think he'll look at that in a similar vein.

00:17:45I think coming into the team last year,

00:17:47he scored some really important goals,

00:17:49none more so than the cup final goal.

00:17:51This season, at times maybe in the shadow of Kiyoko

00:17:54to the turn of the year, then Maeda in the form he's been in,

00:17:57but 20 goals return in a season isn't too bad

00:18:00for your first full season at Celtic,

00:18:02and you'd like to think he could only get stronger,

00:18:05more confident, pops up with important goals against Rangers,

00:18:08so I think he can look at it as a successful season.

00:18:11The fact that there's three players on over 20 goals,

00:18:14and it's been that long since that happened,

00:18:16shows how exceptional the team have been this year,

00:18:18and there's goals from everywhere,

00:18:20I said that a few weeks ago, that's what sets Celtic apart,

00:18:23from midfield to front, the goal return and assists

00:18:26have been nothing short of phenomenal.

00:18:28Yeah, so Adam Ida on 28 goals,

00:18:30just one ahead of him is Nicolas Koonin,

00:18:34we'll hear from Nicolas Koonin in a second,

00:18:36but I always think of Nicolas Koonin as a bit of an enigma,

00:18:40he's very quiet, but very confident,

00:18:43almost you could say he's got a touch of arrogance about him,

00:18:46but he's come into the team, and certainly with his goal contributions,

00:18:49but his assists and all-round play have been excellent this season.

00:18:52He's been another one that's been first-class,

00:18:54and I really think at one point Puchin dies in Maeda for player of the year,

00:18:58he maybe took a little dip and then he got back to it,

00:19:00I mean, it's 21 goals again,

00:19:02so a player playing not as an out-and-out striker

00:19:05has returned that wide role, and his assists,

00:19:07he's popped up in the Champions League,

00:19:09and another guy who maybe found it a little bit difficult

00:19:11coming into the team last year,

00:19:13what a season he's had, I've watched him in pre-season

00:19:16against the likes of Man City,

00:19:18and he took that form straight into the real campaign

00:19:21at the start of the season.

00:19:23As I say, 21 goals and assists.

00:19:25I think one thing that the manager's really been working on

00:19:27with Nicolas Koonin this season,

00:19:29and we saw him do it with James Forrest many years ago

00:19:31and the manager's first in, is his defensive work as well,

00:19:34and Nicolas Koon is very much all about attacking and scoring goals,

00:19:37but at Celtic it's not all about that,

00:19:39and we know the manager, it's all about the defensive press,

00:19:41it's all about your defensive mindset,

00:19:43and that's something he's been working with Nicolas on.

00:19:45It's all about the team,

00:19:47and how he brings that effectiveness to the team,

00:19:50as you say, if you're not working your socks off,

00:19:52you're not in this team.

00:19:54So as much as we go forward, and we love to go forward,

00:19:56we have to do that, the white players have to do that at times,

00:19:59but such a fantastic season for them,

00:20:01really strong performances from the start,

00:20:03as I say, a slight little dip,

00:20:05but I think that was because his standards were so high,

00:20:07when he was talking,

00:20:09clubs looking at him from elsewhere,

00:20:11he was in such fine form, particularly in Europe,

00:20:13but he's recaptured that,

00:20:15with a cup final round the corner as well.

00:20:17OK, let's hear from Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers,

00:20:19he is speaking to John Legwood.

00:20:21Brendan, you're no stranger to Trophy days,

00:20:24it never gets old, does it?

00:20:26No, it always feels special when you arrive at the stadium,

00:20:29and especially on a day like today,

00:20:31the weather is amazing, and the colours of the club all come out.

00:20:35It's a great occasion,

00:20:38and it's obviously a symbol of the work that we've done

00:20:40over the course of a long season.

00:20:42You'll have been preparing the players during the week,

00:20:44and this morning, what's your message to them

00:20:46about how we finished this league campaign today?

00:20:49I think it's just a continuation of how we've been,

00:20:51the sacrifice we've made,

00:20:53the humility, the togetherness,

00:20:55how competitive we've been,

00:20:57these are all factors in us having a really good season.

00:21:00We don't want to stop on that now,

00:21:02we want to keep our focus,

00:21:05and winning this game always feels really good,

00:21:08and we felt it last year against St Mirren,

00:21:10winning towards the end of the game.

00:21:12We still have targets we want to achieve in the game today,

00:21:14so everything is there for us to focus on performing,

00:21:18and then we can enjoy it and celebrate with the families afterwards.

00:21:21You've been true to your word,

00:21:22you've mixed up the squad over the last couple of matches.

00:21:25There's a familiar look to the team today,

00:21:27does that suggest the significance of the occasion?

00:21:29And, of course, the week that lies ahead also?

00:21:32No, it just gives us the team,

00:21:35I think, with the energy the guys put in during the week.

00:21:38It was always my plan, obviously,

00:21:40before the Hibs game to make changes,

00:21:43and the guys in the week have done so, so well,

00:21:46and then again, it's another freshness into this game.

00:21:50So, yes, a team that's focused.

00:21:52Obviously, we get a couple of players back in Ali and Cam,

00:21:57but it's obviously a team and a structure that the players know well.

00:22:01Best of luck, Brendan.

00:22:03Cheers, Jon.

00:22:24There is a whopping £15,000 up for grabs today

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00:22:31First of all, it could be someone at home,

00:22:33it could be someone in the stadium,

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00:22:41It will cost you £2, but that will put you in with a chance

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00:22:48Please visit bgamblerware.org.

00:22:51All right, time shortly to go to your commentary team

00:22:54up in the gantry of Paul Curry and Peter Grant.

00:22:57Before that, let's hear from Celtic's German winger.

00:23:00Good afternoon, Niklas Kuhn is with Jon.

00:23:03Niklas, first of all, can I ask how you enjoyed the reception

00:23:07on the Celtic way as you arrived today?

00:23:09Yeah, really nice.

00:23:11I think it shows what we've done the whole season,

00:23:14so happy day for the supporters and for us.

00:23:18And you'll know that even though you've won the championship,

00:23:21these fans are expecting a big performance today.

00:23:23Are the squad ready to deliver that?

00:23:25Of course.

00:23:26I think here you always have to win,

00:23:29so we will give everything to perform well and have a great game.

00:23:33And what does it mean to these players and the squad,

00:23:36the manager, to lift this trophy once again?

00:23:39Yeah, special feeling.

00:23:41I think we had it last year already, me.

00:23:44I think the team had it the years before already,

00:23:47but it's just a special feeling,

00:23:49and that's why players come here, to win trophies.

00:23:52Well, that will come later, but first of all, best of luck in the match.

00:23:54Yes, thank you.

00:24:00CELTIC PARK

00:24:08Safe to say, everybody is ready for action inside Celtic Park.

00:24:14Hatate!

00:24:17What a strike for the captain!

00:24:25There's a chance for the eagle!

00:24:27Oh, what a goal!

00:24:31The captain scores!

00:24:33Look at his options, he can hunt his left back!

00:24:35He scores!

00:24:46Oh, what a finish!

00:24:47What a goal from Rio Hazardes!

00:24:51He's followed into the path of Maida,

00:24:53a chance for number four.

00:24:54Oh, what a goal!

00:24:58CELTIC PARK

00:25:07Fabricado for Vickles!

00:25:09Oh, what a goal!

00:25:11Ida, takes a touch, it's in the back of the net!

00:25:16Puts it into the box, looking for Adem Ida,

00:25:18Ida scores!

00:25:19CELTIC PARK

00:25:24Great ball across the face of the goal,

00:25:26and into the back of the net for Nicolas Koon,

00:25:28their 13th title in 14 seasons.

00:25:33And there's the confirmation, champions 2024-25.

00:25:39CELTIC PARK

00:25:46Paradise bathed in sunshine,

00:25:48you'll never walk alone,

00:25:50echoes round Celtic Park,

00:25:52with hope in our hearts,

00:25:54we have faith, we have hope,

00:25:56and the greatest of all is love,

00:25:58love for this wonderful football club,

00:26:00we are the champions again,

00:26:02and this afternoon we shall lift

00:26:04the Scottish Premiership trophy

00:26:07for the 55th time in our history.

00:26:10It started back in August

00:26:12with a Bournemouth victory,

00:26:14it ends today in our Premiership campaign

00:26:18with a game against St Mirren,

00:26:20after which Calum McGregor will lift the trophy.

00:26:24The atmosphere incredible,

00:26:26the sun shining, paradise packed,

00:26:29the pyrotechnics ready for the introduction

00:26:32of the champions.

00:26:36Calum McGregor, the captain, the inspiration,

00:26:39the players in the tunnel ready to come out.

00:26:42Greg Taylor, once again when we talk about love,

00:26:45we see that, he's there with his baby daughter.

00:26:48Kasper Schmeichel back in the side this afternoon,

00:26:52St Mirren the opposition for the second year in a row,

00:26:56Marco Jara, the captain,

00:26:58returns to the St Mirren side this afternoon,

00:27:01and St Mirren will form a guard of honour

00:27:04for the champions,

00:27:07in their unfamiliar sky blue strip,

00:27:09Celtic in the green and white hoops this afternoon.

00:27:13Steven Robinson's side having an impressive campaign,

00:27:17another top-six finish,

00:27:19they're unbeaten since the split,

00:27:21two draws and two wins,

00:27:23and still with a chance of European football,

00:27:25so a lot for St Mirren to play for this afternoon,

00:27:29last season it was a tight 3-2 game,

00:27:32Celtic won in the end this afternoon,

00:27:35Brendan Rodgers' side will be looking to sign off

00:27:38the league campaign with a victory

00:27:40before next weekend's game at Hampden,

00:27:44but here come the champions of Scotland.

00:28:00CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ANTHEM PLAYS

00:28:03Really is a grand old team to play for.

00:28:07Wonderful sight.

00:28:10Glasgow really is green and white,

00:28:12and paradise is packed and ready for this afternoon's trophy day.

00:28:20For everyone else it's the last day of the season,

00:28:22for Celtic it has become trophy day,

00:28:24so many titles won over recent years,

00:28:28four in a row,

00:28:30and a very strong team that Brendan Rodgers has put out this afternoon.

00:28:35Only one or two notable absentees,

00:28:37both of them out injured,

00:28:39Jota of course out for a few months,

00:28:41and Real Hatate sadly picked up that injury in Petodri,

00:28:44so he misses out, Paolo Bernardo comes in to midfield,

00:28:48Kacper Schmeichel returns and goals,

00:28:50the back four of Johnson, Carter-Bickers, Scales and Taylor,

00:28:53Carlyn McGregor alongside Bernardo,

00:28:55and then goals in the front three of Nicholas Kuhn,

00:28:57Adam Ida and Dijsha Maida.

00:28:59Plenty of goals in that front three.

00:29:03Submitting only one change to their team,

00:29:05as I mentioned they've had two draws against Rangers and Hibs,

00:29:082-2 draws, a 1-0 win over Aberdeen,

00:29:10a 2-0 victory over the D. United,

00:29:12Mark O'Hara returns to captain the side

00:29:14after missing out in that 2-2 game against Hibs,

00:29:16and if they better the D. United's result this afternoon,

00:29:20it could be European football returning to Paisley for next season,

00:29:23so it's not just a bounce game this afternoon,

00:29:27there's a game with plenty to play for.

00:29:29Celtic will want to sign off

00:29:31what has been an incredible league campaign

00:29:34with a victory this afternoon.

00:29:36David Dickinson, the referee.

00:29:41The board of captains just go through,

00:29:43exchange their pleasantries,

00:29:45there's Glenn Daly still singing the Celtic song.

00:29:49Celtic, of course, their season doesn't finish today,

00:29:52it finishes next Saturday afternoon at Hampden,

00:29:54with the Scottish Cup final against Aberdeen

00:29:56and the chance for the club to secure their nine domestic treble.

00:30:01Ahead of this afternoon's game,

00:30:03we shall also have a minute's applause,

00:30:05that is in memory of former chairman Jack McGinn,

00:30:08who sadly passed away during the week at the age of 92.

00:30:12He first joined the club back in 1965,

00:30:16he came to the club with the idea for the club to have its own newspaper,

00:30:20which became the Celtic View, which is still going strong,

00:30:23the longest-running club newspaper and magazine now in world football.

00:30:28Later became chairman, was chairman during the centenary season.

00:30:32So there'll be a minute's applause before the game,

00:30:34in memory of Jack McGinn.

00:30:37We will now have a moment's applause

00:30:40in respect of former Celtic chairman Jack McGinn,

00:30:44who passed away this week, aged 92.

00:30:47The thoughts and prayers of everyone at Celtic Football Club

00:30:51are with Jack's family at this sad time.

00:31:15CHEERING

00:31:35Celtic will shoot from left to right,

00:31:37St Mirren about to get the game under way.

00:31:41And we're looking forward to 90 minutes of football in the sunshine,

00:31:45in the west of Scotland, in fact all of Scotland

00:31:48have been blessed with some wonderful weather.

00:31:50And Paradise has been blessed throughout the season

00:31:53with some wonderful football.

00:31:55Celtic with 111 league goals,

00:31:58of which 61 of them have been scored here.

00:32:02And we're looking for a couple more to break the record

00:32:05as we get the game under way,

00:32:07Peter Grant alongside me in the commentary position this afternoon.

00:32:11I'm looking forward to a good game,

00:32:13because as I mentioned, Peter, St Mirren still have a lot to play for as well.

00:32:16Absolutely, Paul, and you can guarantee it's going to be competitive.

00:32:21And that's for sure.

00:32:23You know St Mirren have done very well at playing that way,

00:32:26particularly putting the ball in behind you,

00:32:29getting long throws, all this sort of thing,

00:32:31and it's very important for the way they play,

00:32:33so Celtic will know they're in a game,

00:32:35I still fancy us winning this game comfortably.

00:32:40Of course, it's a perfect warm-up for next weekend's Scottish Cup final,

00:32:45but the focus this afternoon will be on three points,

00:32:48followed by the post-match Trophy Day celebrations,

00:32:52and the strongest team possible, I think Brendan Rodgers could put out,

00:32:56that blow of course of Real Vitati,

00:32:58saw him pre-match, he's got the brace in his knee,

00:33:00he was in crutches just shaking hands with the players as they're going up the tunnel,

00:33:03and he played in every single game up until Wednesday night.

00:33:07Yeah, I thought he's been outstanding,

00:33:09the last few months I think he's been brilliant,

00:33:11and he's a massive player, there's no doubt of that,

00:33:14he's got his quality on the ball,

00:33:16he sees pictures that others don't see,

00:33:18and I just think he's full of quality,

00:33:20and he's got the goals, he's all-round performances,

00:33:23he's just grown and grown this season and getting better and better,

00:33:26so a massive blow for us,

00:33:28but the quality we have is that strongest part in the middle of the field,

00:33:32so it's interesting to see how he does today,

00:33:34hopefully he gets a 90 minutes which he's not had for a little while.

00:33:39Celtic enjoying the bulk of possession in these early exchanges,

00:33:44there's space on the right-hand side for Nicholas Kuhn,

00:33:47edge of the ball, it's Johnson on the overlap,

00:33:49looks for the ball, instead Kuhn just knocks it,

00:33:51but Johnson has checked his run and it goes behind...

00:33:54for a goal kick.

00:33:56That's a combination we've seen particularly since Johnson's return,

00:34:00the two of them very good at doing that,

00:34:02Johnson and Kuhn just playing the ball to him.

00:34:04Yeah, and I like that, I think Tony Rolston is filling in for Alistair Johnson as well,

00:34:08he does that very well, he goes on the overlap more often than not,

00:34:11and he gets a lot of crosses in the box,

00:34:13and this is a way you'll beat St Mirren today,

00:34:15because they like to condense the middle area so you can't get through there,

00:34:19so that overlap coming for Alistair Johnson there,

00:34:21just the timing of it and the space behind wasn't there,

00:34:24but that is an area you feel you can hurt St Mirren.

00:34:31Skeles challenges for that one, it's flicked back over the halfway line,

00:34:34Rogic knocks out one forward, only finds the head of Calum McGregor.

00:34:39Ryder challenges with Fraser.

00:34:42First free kick goes the way of the champions,

00:34:45McGregor takes no time at all and switches it over to the right-hand side.

00:34:49Nicholas Kuhn rolls it down the line to Engels,

00:34:52just picked off the Belgian's feet,

00:34:55and out for a throw-in.

00:34:58I guess the Steven Robinsons side will want to weather the early energy

00:35:03that Brendan Rodgers' side will bring to this game,

00:35:06because it is Trophy Day and just try and play their way into the game.

00:35:08Well, as you say, I'm sure they went 1-0 up in the game last season,

00:35:12so you know they're more than capable of that,

00:35:15and what I like about Steven Robinson, he doesn't mess about,

00:35:18he knows he's never thrown the ball out once at the back,

00:35:20he's not played it out that way, he knows his strengths,

00:35:22getting the ball forward into his front men,

00:35:24playing in that area of the field,

00:35:26you have to match that football-wise Celtic will outplay them,

00:35:30but you've got to put a lot more in to win games against St Mirren.

00:35:35Celtic on the attack again, suddenly they're on the edge of the box,

00:35:37once more it's played out to the right-hand side,

00:35:39Kuhn this time goes on his left foot,

00:35:41plays it back into the middle to the Celtic captain,

00:35:43Taylor, edge of the box, cuts it into the area,

00:35:45it's headed clear, there's plenty of blue shirts,

00:35:48they're in an unchanged blue strip,

00:35:50trying to deny Celtic space,

00:35:53eventually scooped out wide over on the far side,

00:35:58Alabi also.

00:36:00You can see Celtic are putting pressure on the ball,

00:36:02so it takes away the threat of the front guys playing into that area of the pitch,

00:36:06so the boys are playing on the front foot,

00:36:08making it difficult for them to lift ahead and get it forward,

00:36:10and that's what you have to do when you're playing against a team like St Mirren.

00:36:16Celtic knocking the ball about well, confident,

00:36:19come into this game at the back of that 5-1 victory,

00:36:22Petrodou against Aberdeen, Nicholas Kuhn,

00:36:24again as the ball gives it to Engels.

00:36:27Carl McGregor surges forward, edge of the box,

00:36:29he's only to get ten goals, the Celtic captain gives it to Engels,

00:36:32he's also got ten goals, side foot to Lowe,

00:36:34well, Gogic takes it off his own keeper,

00:36:37Heming was just about to gather it,

00:36:39here comes Celtic again, Johnson plays it low!

00:36:42Again Heming can't hold on to the ball,

00:36:44eventually St Mirren scramble it clear,

00:36:46the St Mirren goalkeeper's down in the box.

00:36:50Well, the first time it was his own player that took it off out of his hands,

00:36:54the second time he died bravely.

00:36:58It's very rare you see Dyson Weeder looking down to see if anybody's hurt there,

00:37:02but obviously a lack of communication that first time,

00:37:04Petr, between Hemings and Gogic.

00:37:06Yeah, I'm not really sure, I thought it was his hand he kicked,

00:37:08but I think his knee just clipped him in the side of the head,

00:37:10I think that's exactly what's happened,

00:37:12because I thought he was holding his hands there,

00:37:14and you just see his hip hits him in the side of the head,

00:37:17and when there's any head injuries now,

00:37:19you cannot take the chance.

00:37:21And I think particularly when the goalkeeper goes down,

00:37:23I can understand.

00:37:25Well, it was at the command of the goalkeeper,

00:37:27it was taken off earlier in the season,

00:37:29early in the first kickings of the game as well,

00:37:31with a knock on the head.

00:37:33Let's hope that's got the serious news,

00:37:35but it doesn't look like a good way to be perfectly honest with you.

00:37:40Zach Heming is on loan from Middlesbrough,

00:37:43some of these players just taking the opportunity

00:37:45to have a quick water break.

00:37:48Kasper Schmeichel in conversation with Liam Scales

00:37:50and Cameron Carter-Vickers,

00:37:52who's returned to the starting XI this afternoon.

00:37:55Kasper Schmeichel, of course, now a league winner

00:37:58in England and Scotland,

00:38:00there's not many players who can say that.

00:38:04It's always special winning it here,

00:38:06but that's the difference,

00:38:08Leicester was a fairy tale,

00:38:10Celtic Park's seen this for what it is today,

00:38:13and always playing under that expectation of winning.

00:38:16It's so important.

00:38:27I'm not sure who was in possession of the ball there.

00:38:35We've gone just over six minutes of the game.

00:38:44The ball back with the goalkeeper.

00:38:48It's launched high, deep into Celtic's energy,

00:38:51Scales watches it, nudges it down to Taylor,

00:38:53and immediately hooks it forward.

00:38:56Zimmermann have the ball back with Fraser,

00:38:58he has the option of his own goalkeeper,

00:39:00he knocks it inside,

00:39:02Zimmermann trying to pass away forward,

00:39:04Callum McGregor almost nicked it off his opponent.

00:39:09Celtic pressing the ball quickly,

00:39:11it's switched to Taylor,

00:39:12he plays it through the channel to his captain,

00:39:14O'Hara knocks it out wide to Declan John.

00:39:21Gogic almost plays it off,

00:39:23Deismider who's been wounded,

00:39:26slowly gets back to his feet.

00:39:33Zimmermann in possession.

00:39:39Now the atmosphere electric inside Celtic Park this afternoon.

00:39:46Another trophy day to celebrate,

00:39:48stand up for the champions as the chant echoes round Paradise.

00:39:54Kasper Schmeichel has to play that ball out wide

00:39:57to the right-hand side.

00:40:04In touch with Peter,

00:40:05the team comes through the game unscathed,

00:40:07you wouldn't be surprised if this was the same start

00:40:09at Hamden next weekend.

00:40:11Yes, it's interesting because Luke McCown was excellent

00:40:14the other evening there,

00:40:15and I really like Bernardo,

00:40:17so I think maybe that's an area where Brendan's looking at

00:40:20who's going to be in that midfield area.

00:40:22But I think you're right,

00:40:23I think this looks like the team that will definitely start

00:40:26the cup final.

00:40:29Steven Robinson animated on the touchline,

00:40:33Nicholas Coon trying to find Alistair Johnson.

00:40:36I suppose when you look at,

00:40:37you've got the options of the likes of James Forrest

00:40:40and Luke McCown amongst others on the bench

00:40:43that gives the managers options,

00:40:45and you saw in midweek at making all those changes,

00:40:48the team was still so impressive.

00:40:50Well, as I say many times, Paul,

00:40:51and I say it to anybody who wants to listen,

00:40:53that Celtic have got the best two teams in Scotland.

00:40:55That's a fact, when everybody's fit,

00:40:57there's no getting away from that.

00:40:59I've always said it's the most competitive place

00:41:01should be the training ground,

00:41:02and this group's shown that,

00:41:03and especially their performance the other evening,

00:41:05I thought they were outstanding.

00:41:07Not necessarily just with the ball,

00:41:10which they obviously were,

00:41:12but I think the biggest thing was the work ethic

00:41:16that they showed to get the ball back

00:41:18and win the game so comfortably,

00:41:20but a real quality performance.

00:41:22Celtic with their first corner of the game,

00:41:24that shot from Cal McGregor, blocked.

00:41:26Arne Ingles goes over to take this one,

00:41:28it's going to be an in-swinger,

00:41:30everybody's submitting players back inside this area.

00:41:33Alistair Johnson, about 40 yards from goal,

00:41:36he's about the furthest back of the Celtic players.

00:41:39Everyone else is kind of packed into that area,

00:41:41almost, as are the Ingles.

00:41:44The ball was played short.

00:41:47The corner.

00:41:53Well, Celtic knocked that.

00:41:57Is that a referee who's not really aware of what's going on?

00:41:59It's ridiculous.

00:42:01They're saying that's ungentlemanly conduct,

00:42:03it's not ungentlemanly conduct.

00:42:05If he knocks the ball outside it and walks away from it

00:42:07as if he's not taking it,

00:42:09that's a thing they've worked on.

00:42:11It's ridiculous that he's called it back.

00:42:13Arne Ingles gets the chance to take this corner kick.

00:42:16The second attempt, it is going to be swung in,

00:42:19fires it to the back post, it's missed by everyone,

00:42:21goes behind for a goal kick.

00:42:30I mean, surely in that situation,

00:42:33and we just see Greg Taylor doing that,

00:42:35that we let the play unfold,

00:42:37then if anything happens then the referee can let VAR decide.

00:42:40But he doesn't know, surely,

00:42:42I mean, that's a poor call from the referee.

00:42:44100 per cent it is.

00:42:46Because, see, even the St Mirren boy,

00:42:49he's saying that they've knocked outside,

00:42:51well, he can go and take the ball and run up the pitch with it,

00:42:54and it means Celtic have taken the corner.

00:42:56And Celtic couldn't complain.

00:42:58That is a ridiculous decision,

00:43:00because everybody knows, as soon as a player's played out,

00:43:02they decide the deet.

00:43:03As long as the ball's been in the deet to start with,

00:43:05as Greg Taylor did,

00:43:06and then he knocks it out,

00:43:08you've got to play on it.

00:43:09It's a poor decision.

00:43:12Well, I wouldn't imagine Celtic will get away with trying to do that again,

00:43:15St Mirren will now be aware of that.

00:43:22Cameron Carter-Vickers penalised

00:43:25for the foul on the halfway line.

00:43:27St Mirren have the ball, have the free kick.

00:43:30Brendan Rodgers stands with his arms folded,

00:43:33Steven Robinson shouting plenty of instructions to his forwards.

00:43:37Junger was the man fouled,

00:43:39and he was getting instructions from his manager,

00:43:42but Zach Kemen makes his way up to the halfway line,

00:43:45so St Mirren pushing a couple of the big guys,

00:43:49Taylor included, forward.

00:43:53Perhaps thinking that might be the best way to test the Celtic back line.

00:43:56Absolutely.

00:43:57I thought he was going to play it short there.

00:43:59Steven Robinson would have had a heart attack.

00:44:03Emink floats that one into the area,

00:44:05headed away over the far side by Liam Scales.

00:44:13I've seen this before,

00:44:14St Mirren like to get into the areas of the pitch so they can get the long throws,

00:44:17and a big side like to get the touch on the ball,

00:44:19so Brendan and the boys will be very much aware of that.

00:44:24Fraser with his left foot, clips that one into the area,

00:44:27comes off the head of Cameron Carter-Vickers.

00:44:30Michael challenged by Junger.

00:44:33Strong hands from the Celtic goalkeeper.

00:44:40That's what I like about St Mirren,

00:44:42they're not embarrassed with their strengths.

00:44:45The ball played over the top, looking for the pace of Maida,

00:44:48and Fraser forced the player out for a former kick.

00:45:01Bernardo will leave this set-piece for Engels,

00:45:04and once again, Scales and Carter-Vickers make their way into the area.

00:45:07Maida's just lurking inside the six-yard box.

00:45:12Engels with a chance to deliver this ball into the area,

00:45:16can Celtic get the opening goal?

00:45:1813 minutes on the clock, it's fired low, it's flicked on.

00:45:21Good block in the end there, spins back.

00:45:24Mandren was at the near post.

00:45:27Did his job.

00:45:31He's never got enough on it at the end of there,

00:45:33because I'd have needed three at the back post

00:45:35if he'd got enough on it to flick it on.

00:45:42Ball knocked off Maida, out for a goal kick.

00:45:46So we still await the first goal of the afternoon, Celtic.

00:45:50Three wins in their three previous meetings against St Mirren this season,

00:45:533-0 back in August in Paisley,

00:45:563-0 here at the start of January,

00:45:58and then 5-2 in Paisley on the first day of March.

00:46:03March was an interesting game, because St Mirren were well in the game,

00:46:07and if you remember Yang and McCown were excellent in that period,

00:46:11and it just shows you how much the group has affected each game,

00:46:14and that's been very important.

00:46:28St Mirren with the throw-in in the sunshine of Celtic Park,

00:46:32just inside their own half.

00:46:37Switch back across from Gogic to Taylor,

00:46:40Eder trying to press St Mirren,

00:46:43defender, well...

00:46:45To say that was a tough ball for Declan John to control would be an understatement.

00:46:49That was one of my passes there.

00:46:54Johnson shrugs off the attentions of Ahara,

00:46:57scales his space in the middle of the park,

00:46:59suddenly Celtic are down the left-hand side with Maida,

00:47:02Taylor again goes in the overlap, Maida goes to the touchline,

00:47:05plays it low, it comes off the heel,

00:47:07St Mirren defender and Celtic have another corner.

00:47:12It's interesting, St Mirren place all their biggest men in the area to pitch,

00:47:16it just shows you the height difference they've got,

00:47:18and that's why Celtic have tried to work the first corner,

00:47:21that the referee should have played on with.

00:47:25It's interesting how hard Maida's positioning it.

00:47:28Arnaud Engels once again to deliver this one,

00:47:31into the six-yard box.

00:47:34Fires it to the back post,

00:47:36it's punched away by Heming, over to this near side.

00:47:41Couldn't be happy to let that one go out for a throw-in.

00:47:56Alistair Johnson on that right touchline,

00:47:58St Mirren can't get the ball clear and Celtic have won it back very quickly.

00:48:03Again, scales of space in the centre circle,

00:48:06here comes Celtic once more now with their captain.

00:48:09Switches it out wide to Taylor,

00:48:11Taylor curls it to the far post looking for Ida,

00:48:13it's clutched out there by Heming.

00:48:18It's going to be a difficult ball,

00:48:20it's nearly going to have to be perfect for Greg Taylor,

00:48:23because Adam was the only one in the box.

00:48:34Launched high over the halfway line.

00:48:38Taylor does well, timed his run perfectly.

00:48:43O'Hara knocks that one on, St Mirren battling for the ball,

00:48:46but once more Celtic have won it back.

00:48:53Once more Celtic start to build from the back,

00:48:55and it's certainly been Brendan Rodgers' side

00:48:57that have enjoyed the bulk of possession.

00:48:59There's no doubt of that.

00:49:01Ball played long for Engles,

00:49:03fires it off a St Mirren player,

00:49:05it's cleared away but the offside flag goes up.

00:49:10It was offside, we can see that quite clearly from Rui Ruiz.

00:49:19St Mirren have the ball.

00:49:23This time it's Marco O'Hara who goes over to the touchline

00:49:26to get some instructions from his manager.

00:49:32And it's in.

00:49:36Arnie Engles, very impressive first season for Arnie,

00:49:39I have to say.

00:49:41Yeah, absolutely, I agree with you.

00:49:43I think, never mind his age,

00:49:45because I think whether you're 17, 18, 19, 20,

00:49:48you've still got to be able to play,

00:49:50and I think he's taken that pressure exceptionally well,

00:49:52simple things like set plays, penalty kicks...

00:50:01As I say, I think he's been really impressive.

00:50:04He does a lot of running off the ball,

00:50:06which you don't see at times.

00:50:08I think that's the problem,

00:50:10he gives us something different in the middle of the field.

00:50:14St Mirren back in possession.

00:50:17The ball deep in their own territory,

00:50:19Gogic under pressure from Eder.

00:50:21Plays it long, St Mirren will watch that one come down.

00:50:25Knocks it back to Schmeichel but it goes behind.

00:50:29Off a St Mirren player, Taylor still stays down,

00:50:32Celtic have taken no time at all to start this game again.

00:50:35Surgeon forward with Johnson over the halfway line,

00:50:38down the right flank.

00:50:40Bernardo comes inside but it's back to his captain.

00:50:49Bernardo got space, switches it to the left,

00:50:52to Taylor once more, Celtic edge of the box,

00:50:55left-footed cross into the box, it's a dangerous ball.

00:50:58That was a good delivery from Dijsselmuider.

00:51:01Yeah, it was an excellent delivery,

00:51:03and I don't think Adam Eder was expecting it.

00:51:08I think Adam should have made that run to the front,

00:51:10I know he's trying to get between both centre-backs,

00:51:12but on that occasion I felt he should have gambled and went to the front area.

00:51:20Almost 20 minutes on the clock,

00:51:22Schmeichel goalless at the home of the Champions,

00:51:25and that's a run of an opportunity through Killian Phillips.

00:51:30He'll be hoping this game finishes in plenty of time

00:51:32so he can watch his parent club Crystal Palace in action

00:51:35at Wembley against Manchester City in the FA Cup final,

00:51:38at the moment he's got a game against the Scottish Champions.

00:51:41That long throw-in wasn't great,

00:51:43as the ball's hooked up towards the halfway line.

00:51:46Gogic watches that one,

00:51:48notches it out wide to Fraser.

00:51:53Inside, Lloyd-Muntz,

00:51:56Fraser again, former Celtic player,

00:51:59fouled kick on the touchline,

00:52:02I would suspect this one's gonna get floated in towards the box now.

00:52:05Yeah, you can see Stevie right away,

00:52:07don't even attempt to play short.

00:52:09I agree with him, because if you play in front of Celtic,

00:52:11Celtic will go and steal the ball off you.

00:52:13Aberdeen done it the other evening,

00:52:15I agree with what Stevie Robertson's doing here,

00:52:17he's playing to his team's strengths,

00:52:19and I think that's the most important thing,

00:52:21that's why he's done such a good job.

00:52:23Hopefully the Celtic boys will be able to see this one out.

00:52:28It's Phillips again, this time with his feet,

00:52:31to deliver this one into the area,

00:52:33Celtic holding a line about 19, 20 yards from goal,

00:52:37Kasper Schmeichel crouches on the edge of the six-yard box,

00:52:39as Phillips scoops that one to the far post,

00:52:41there's plenty of bodies there, comes off, scales his head,

00:52:43don't know if he knew too much about it,

00:52:45but it breaks to Fraser, he's on the edge of the box,

00:52:48knocks it back to Declan John,

00:52:50plays it low into the area,

00:52:52and it's hooked away by Cameron Carter.

00:52:55That's good defending,

00:52:57because it's strong boys playing against us as well.

00:53:02Cross-field pass there,

00:53:04back in possession again.

00:53:14It's remarkable the way the team's continually churned out good performances,

00:53:18because there's always a lull sometimes,

00:53:20you hit at times and you don't play particularly well,

00:53:22but I think this season, if it had not been a particularly good game,

00:53:26the next one would have been excellent.

00:53:28It's great credit to the full group that's pushing each other,

00:53:31and I think that's the biggest thing the boys can enjoy,

00:53:35that everybody's played their part,

00:53:37whether they've started games, whether they've been on the bench,

00:53:39they've all played their part, a massive part on the success.

00:53:43In comes Engels, puts that one over the top,

00:53:45looking for the overlap in front of Alistair Johnson,

00:53:47it just spins off the top,

00:53:49that was the right idea,

00:53:50because you saw Alistair Johnson taking off down that right flank,

00:53:53but just slightly over-hit,

00:53:55and Nott goes behind for a goal kick.

00:53:58Believe it or not, Paul, it's on the other side,

00:54:00I'm sure it stays in,

00:54:01but because there's a little bit of shade there,

00:54:03the grass is still a little bit damp after getting watered prior to it,

00:54:07and the first one, as you quite rightly said,

00:54:09the ball skipped off the ground there,

00:54:11but it was an excellent pass.

00:54:13Just in case anybody's joining us,

00:54:14you've not tuned in to the episode of Beechgrove Garden with Peter Grant there.

00:54:19Hey, I've got to give the players an excuse all the time, come on.

00:54:28Scales battling for that one,

00:54:30the ball spins to Johnson, who gets a touch on it.

00:54:33Skips past O'Hara,

00:54:34he's over the halfway line now, the Canadian,

00:54:36Engels walks his way through the middle,

00:54:38but Johnson walks way inside,

00:54:40gives it to Bernardo.

00:54:42Finds Kuhn, wide on the right touchline.

00:54:50Kuhn manages to shrug off the attentions of Richard Taylor.

00:54:57Bernardo, good play from the Portuguese.

00:55:00Finds Scales in space down that left-hand side.

00:55:03Once more, sitting there with plenty of bodies behind the ball.

00:55:08Taylor, slams it inside,

00:55:11to Bernardo, gives it to Engels,

00:55:13he tries to knock it through towards Eder.

00:55:16Callum McGregor latches onto the ball,

00:55:18but Bernardo penalised for the foul.

00:55:25I really like Bernardo, he's got really good feet,

00:55:27he picks up good areas when the team's got position.

00:55:30But what he does very well,

00:55:31he puts himself in good areas to win the ball back.

00:55:34He doesn't look the quickest of that,

00:55:36but he's very sharp at picking up areas to intercept the ball.

00:55:40A bit of space for St Mirren, strides forward.

00:55:59Visitors on the ball down that right flank,

00:56:01going for the 1-2, almost at the corner flag,

00:56:03it's Callum McGregor who tries to track the ball,

00:56:05it's clipped back towards the edge of the area.

00:56:07O'Hara wins that header, breaks back to the edge of the area,

00:56:10the captain again cuts it over towards Mandron,

00:56:13he takes the volley, it's on target from a tight angle,

00:56:15saved by Kasper Schmeichel-Mandron.

00:56:21I don't know if he was staking a claim for a Scotland place,

00:56:24I think he was asking for a place in Stevie Clarke's squad,

00:56:27because he is eligible,

00:56:28I think one of his grandparents is from Aberdeen,

00:56:30so he is eligible to qualify to play,

00:56:34although he was born in France.

00:56:36Why not, because at the end of the day he's had a very good season,

00:56:40that's one thing, you wouldn't say Scotland have an abundance of strikers,

00:56:44and he's had a very good season with St Mirren,

00:56:46so fair play to him.

00:56:48Listen, Scotland need all the help they can get,

00:56:50and I don't mean that disrespectfully,

00:56:51especially in that area of the field,

00:56:53because it's a place where we've not got a hell of a lot of players.

00:57:01Down the left flank again, Raida strides forward,

00:57:04and Alabi Ossie...

00:57:08...tries to narrow the angle.

00:57:10Raida's left-footed cross went wide of the target,

00:57:14and St Mirren, grateful,

00:57:16with just about 20 minutes of the first half to go.

00:57:20The ball goes behind, still goalless,

00:57:22and Steven Robinson will be happy with the way the game has gone so far,

00:57:25he has done a remarkable job,

00:57:27that's the third year in a row they've finished in the top six,

00:57:29they did European football last season,

00:57:32another really good season,

00:57:34and I think not only have they got to the top six,

00:57:36as I mentioned just before the game,

00:57:38they're unbeaten since the split.

00:57:40Yeah, absolutely, and he's done a terrific job,

00:57:42because, let's be perfectly honest with you,

00:57:44each season, if anybody does well for St Mirren,

00:57:46they lose them,

00:57:48and you think to yourself,

00:57:50that is a problem, because it's a rebuild every season for him,

00:57:53to manage that, so it obviously shows you,

00:57:55one, he understands the game,

00:57:57but also the fact is, he plays to the strengths,

00:57:59and bring players in,

00:58:01there's not going to be much change in the way they play,

00:58:03and he's comfortable with that,

00:58:05and he knows what his team are,

00:58:07but to be fair, every one of his players buy into it,

00:58:09and there's a sense of success he's had,

00:58:11there's no doubt of that,

00:58:13when you talk about budgets,

00:58:15or anybody wants to talk about budgets,

00:58:17you've got to say it's remarkable what he's done.

00:58:19Johnson trying to find that run through,

00:58:21Taylor does well, lively play there,

00:58:23takes the ball off the toes of Mandren,

00:58:25and again Celtic have it,

00:58:27switched over to the left-hand side,

00:58:31Scales inside to Taylor,

00:58:33thought he'd be trying to play over the top for Maida,

00:58:35his run was tracked there by Alabi-Ossie,

00:58:39challenging Scales,

00:58:41the referee takes the advantage,

00:58:43looks like a foul,

00:58:47it's clipped out of play,

00:58:51Celtic keeping up the pressure,

00:58:53Scales has it,

00:58:55back to Taylor, McGregor's inside,

00:58:59he cushions it to the captain,

00:59:01he threads it through, but it's intercepted,

00:59:03St Mirren plenty of bodies behind the ball,

00:59:05in and around the penalty area,

00:59:07this time it's Scales who's penalised for the foul,

00:59:11Mandren just getting a talking to there,

00:59:13for that challenge before,

00:59:15and Scales with the free kick goes this time to St Mirren.

00:59:17I think the referee was right,

00:59:19Celtic had good possession,

00:59:21not to give the free kick,

00:59:23but it's also right to give a warning also,

00:59:27because we see what happened the other evening with Guy,

00:59:29going about kicking everyone,

00:59:31he was already booked and probably should have been off

00:59:33before the incident happened,

00:59:35but he went at it unfortunately.

00:59:39Taylor takes the ball over the halfway line,

00:59:41Maida goes to close down the defender,

00:59:43he skips past Coon as well,

00:59:45silky play from the central defender.

00:59:49St Mirren,

00:59:51with Fraser,

00:59:53back inside to Boyd Munce,

00:59:55which is across to O'Hara,

00:59:59every Celtic player behind the ball at the moment,

01:00:01it's clipped over to the left-hand side,

01:00:03it comes off the head of Coon,

01:00:05takes it away from Declan John,

01:00:07but St Mirren have a throw-in,

01:00:09taken quickly this time.

01:00:15Dogic rolls it across to Fraser,

01:00:17he'll roll it all the way back to his goalkeeper,

01:00:19Celtic pressing St Mirren,

01:00:21back into their own half,

01:00:23Heming plays that one long over to the right-hand side.

01:00:29Bielsu tries to go beyond Taylor,

01:00:31gets to the touchline, plays it low,

01:00:33good block from Liam Scales,

01:00:35spins out to the right-hand side again.

01:00:43Bielsu just got a bit too fancy there,

01:00:45and it's taken off his toes.

01:00:50Celtic pass their way across their own six-yard box,

01:00:53and drive forward now with Alistair Johnson,

01:00:55he's been tracked back by Mandren.

01:00:59He had to be careful there,

01:01:01I think he may have fouled Johnson,

01:01:03David Dickinson's book.

01:01:07It's a great defensive block by Liam Scales,

01:01:11he got away from Greg Taylor in the full-back area,

01:01:13and put a brilliant ball in.

01:01:15To be fair to Liam Scales,

01:01:17he's in line with the ball and a very good defender.

01:01:23Almost half an hour gone,

01:01:25not really been too many chances

01:01:27it has to be said so far,

01:01:29but Celtic come again with their captain,

01:01:31slides it forward.

01:01:35Nicholas Kuhn

01:01:37up against Declan John,

01:01:39rolls it back inside to McGregor again.

01:01:43First goal this season against St Mirren,

01:01:45and that 3-0 victory at St Mirren Park.

01:01:49Ten goals for the Celtic captain,

01:01:51most of them absolute belters.

01:01:53Here comes Arne Engels,

01:01:55he tried to reverse-pass it into the path of

01:01:57Gijs Mijder.

01:01:59Chance for Bernardo,

01:02:01crisis late into the path

01:02:03of Adam Eder.

01:02:05David Dickinson almost getting in the way of Celtic there,

01:02:07but still it's the champions,

01:02:09and it's Calum McGregor,

01:02:11the ball goes high and wide.

01:02:15I've noticed,

01:02:17and I don't know whether referees have just changed their position

01:02:19in terms of trying to keep up with play,

01:02:21but quite often they're almost on top of the play.

01:02:23I think it's the way the opposition

01:02:25play actually, it makes everything narrow,

01:02:27and it brings the referee narrow,

01:02:29we're always talking about the line of play,

01:02:31but it's very difficult,

01:02:33I think with the way, the speed of the ball,

01:02:35Celtic move as well, they're always changing,

01:02:37and the midfield's always rotating,

01:02:39so they're going into areas where the referee's trying to dance

01:02:41as well, and unfortunately he's not as good

01:02:43as their Celtic midfield.

01:02:45Although I

01:02:47spoke in a Glasgow Cup final commentary

01:02:49with Wally McNab, who kind of heads

01:02:51our junior academy, and he said

01:02:53quite often they're telling players that the referee's often

01:02:55in the best position in the park

01:02:57for the attacking team, but from where he stands,

01:02:59if you stand beside the referee generally you're in the best position.

01:03:01You're probably right,

01:03:03you're probably right, because that's obviously

01:03:05where they have to be.

01:03:09Here comes Celtic again, Arnaud Engels on the ball,

01:03:11he's got Johnson inside him.

01:03:21Racing down the right flank,

01:03:23and again, the ball

01:03:25spins off that wet

01:03:27surface you were talking about.

01:03:29I'm saying nothing, you gave me a bit of criticism,

01:03:31no Beechgrove Garden now.

01:03:37But it is a hard ball that, the whole straight ball,

01:03:39a difficult one, you know.

01:03:41And I think to be fair, Declan John

01:03:43had matched the run anyway, so it's going to be a tough

01:03:45one for Nicholas Koon.

01:03:47It's like playing a safety shot

01:03:49in snooker, you know, to lean it,

01:03:51the cushion,

01:03:53nearly enough to be perfect, actually, when you hit the ball

01:03:55like that. But listen,

01:03:57these boys are capable of it, they're working it every day

01:03:59because they'll have to mix up passing up.

01:04:03Declan John

01:04:05on the ball, down this left-hand

01:04:07side, he's got his captain out wide,

01:04:09gives it to O'Hara.

01:04:11He scored a couple of goals

01:04:13in Trophy Day last season,

01:04:15in that 3-2 victory for

01:04:17Celtic.

01:04:23If I'm not

01:04:25wrong, I think he's scored

01:04:27the most goals against Celtic and Rangers

01:04:29since the Premiership began.

01:04:33Here comes Arne Engels down this

01:04:35right flank, looking for a good delivery, plays it low,

01:04:37it's a dangerous ball, that's a

01:04:39really good ball to the near post,

01:04:41and is Eming grateful that nobody

01:04:43ran to the near post? Because if they got a touch,

01:04:45it was in the back of the net.

01:04:46It's a terrific ball for Arne Engels,

01:04:48I don't know if Adam Ida stays central

01:04:50thinking that

01:04:52Bernardo, I think it was Paulo Bernardo,

01:04:54is making a run, which he usually doesn't, gets that wee touch

01:04:56on it, but it was a fantastic ball in.

01:05:02Eming launches that one long,

01:05:04you can see the goalkeepers now, they're taking eternity

01:05:06to clear the ball, I'm just

01:05:08really interested to see how this

01:05:108-second rule for next season, how

01:05:12it's going to be applied for

01:05:14goalkeepers, I think there'll be

01:05:16flexi time I think

01:05:18in some games. Could you tell me why it's not

01:05:20deep, because if you remember a few years ago

01:05:22it was 6. I think it's 8 and then

01:05:24if they don't release it, it's a corner.

01:05:26Something like that, that'll be interesting.

01:05:30Magic here at Celtic.

01:05:32Oh, dearie dear.

01:05:36If he does it in our favour, we'll praise him.

01:05:38Here comes Celtic again,

01:05:40Alistair Johnson working it on to Nicholas Koon.

01:05:44Again goes on the overlap, Koon cuts inside,

01:05:46switches it across to Taylor,

01:05:48inside left channel,

01:05:50threads that one through,

01:05:52looking for Dyson Ryder, Taylor challenges

01:05:54with Phillips, it breaks.

01:05:58It wasn't a foul that time,

01:06:00not a happy, Celtic

01:06:02captain not a happy,

01:06:04fans not a happy.

01:06:08I thought it was a fair tackle, he's

01:06:10tried the pass from Jader, it's been cut out,

01:06:12his first reaction as he always is

01:06:14is to win the ball back as quick as he can.

01:06:16I think Phillips ran more into him

01:06:18than actually giving the free kick away.

01:06:24Half the free kick with just over 10 minutes

01:06:26of the first half to play,

01:06:28their goalkeeper particularly tested,

01:06:30Celtic certainly been on the front foot

01:06:32for most of the game.

01:06:34Scales wins that header again,

01:06:36Calum McGregor, and then goes on the left foot,

01:06:38clearance over the halfway line,

01:06:40Taylor's got time to bring that one down.

01:06:44Moves forward again,

01:06:46the Englishman.

01:06:48Celtic have the ball.

01:06:58Calum McGregor,

01:07:00trying to knock it across to Johnson,

01:07:02but Cameron Carter-Vickers is alert.

01:07:06Nicholas Koon

01:07:08slides it forward towards Johnson,

01:07:10he's been tracked back by Ohana,

01:07:12still Celtic edge of the box

01:07:14now with Calum McGregor.

01:07:16Once more,

01:07:18Nicholas Koon opens up the play

01:07:20for Taylor.

01:07:22Johnson's got a bit of space,

01:07:24Koon ahead of him,

01:07:26slides it forward to the German,

01:07:28tries to skip past Taylor,

01:07:30comes to Johnson.

01:07:34Celtic keeping the ball on the edge of the box,

01:07:36back again to Johnson,

01:07:38Johnson thought about the delivery

01:07:40instead gives it to his captain.

01:07:44I think you're right there,

01:07:46I thought he should have delivered it.

01:07:48Pressure still on,

01:07:50pressure still on,

01:07:52it's over the left flank now.

01:08:04Submarine battling for that.

01:08:08Again,

01:08:10David Dickinson,

01:08:12very quick every time

01:08:14a blue shot falls to the ground

01:08:16to blow his whistle.

01:08:20I always preferred them in Bargain Hunt,

01:08:22to be honest.

01:08:24I was trying to remember the name of that programme

01:08:26but you've already mentioned the Beechgrove Garden,

01:08:28I think the viewers will be getting bored now.

01:08:32I'm going to thank Mr Google for that one

01:08:34because I checked it before I may have checked it.

01:08:38Celtic come again,

01:08:40Engels once more,

01:08:42nudges it out wide to the right-hand side.

01:08:44Niklas Kuhn,

01:08:46cuts on to the edge of the box,

01:08:48cuts it to the far post,

01:08:50Eders peeled off,

01:08:52tried to turn,

01:08:54spin round,

01:08:56it takes a touch off,

01:08:58a suburban player and Celtic have

01:09:00another corner,

01:09:02another opportunity.

01:09:04I thought Niklas Kuhn was going to use Greg Taylor there

01:09:06because it was the first time Greg was free at the edge of the box

01:09:08for the slide-roll pass.

01:09:14And Engels will take this set-piece,

01:09:16another player who's got into double figures this season.

01:09:1834 league games,

01:09:2025 starts,

01:09:229 sub-preparances,

01:09:249 league goals, 10 overall.

01:09:26That's impressive for the 21-year-old

01:09:28Belgian internationalist,

01:09:30two medals already.

01:09:32Swings this ball into the six-yard box,

01:09:34that's a dangerous one,

01:09:36and Heming again just punches it clear.

01:09:38Kuhn slips,

01:09:40knocks it back to Bernardo,

01:09:42the edge of the box.

01:09:44Celtic still have the ball.

01:09:46Now with Callum McGregor,

01:09:48walked out wide to Engels,

01:09:50Engels can go on his right foot,

01:09:52gives it to the captain, back to Engels,

01:09:54plays it low, takes a block,

01:09:56another corner, Celtic keeping up the pressure.

01:10:00I thought he was in there,

01:10:02good one too with Callum.

01:10:08Celtic take a short corner,

01:10:10Engels clips it towards the penalty spot,

01:10:12comes off the back of Vickers' head.

01:10:16A volley, a left-footed volley,

01:10:18blocked there, good technique from Bernardo,

01:10:20but it was too many blue shirts in the way.

01:10:22Celtic open up the play with Engels down the right flank,

01:10:24edge of the box,

01:10:26tries to skip onto his right foot,

01:10:28chance to shoot, plays it low and it's blocked.

01:10:30Now John, another corner kick,

01:10:32there's relentless pressure from Celtic at the moment.

01:10:36It has been,

01:10:38just if we could get the first touch on it,

01:10:40but as I say, because they're such a big side,

01:10:42if you're going to deliver into the box,

01:10:44you have to get first touch.

01:10:48Sixth corner of the first half for Celtic,

01:10:50the right foot of Arne Engels,

01:10:52plays it low, comes off scales,

01:10:54Fraser keeps it in play,

01:10:56plays it out over on the far side for a throw-in,

01:10:58but avoided another corner,

01:11:00in fact it's Callum McGregor

01:11:02who'll take this throw-in,

01:11:04just quickly back to Kasper Schmeichel.

01:11:08Looking for the breakthrough

01:11:10before the interval.

01:11:16Taylor,

01:11:18good work it on, slides it forward,

01:11:20looking for Adam Ida, Ida gets in there

01:11:22ahead of Gogic,

01:11:24trying to close out

01:11:26the Celtic striker,

01:11:28and eventually Gogic launches

01:11:30that one forward, good first touch

01:11:32from Mandren, plays it out wide

01:11:34to the right-hand side and Phillips

01:11:36can slice that one forward,

01:11:38that's poor technique there because

01:11:40Jonah Iunga

01:11:42had raced forward and

01:11:44given an opportunity to that on the break,

01:11:46instead Celtic come again.

01:11:50Niklas Kuhn plays it

01:11:52to Johnson, Kuhn again

01:11:54cuts it forward towards Bernardo,

01:11:56and again

01:11:58it was out of play.

01:12:00Yeah, missed a couple of

01:12:02simple passes but they've done the right thing,

01:12:04Kasper Schmeichel released the ball very quickly,

01:12:06and you spoke about it through

01:12:08in the commentary is the fact that St Mirren

01:12:10won't be in their shape, and when they play

01:12:12slowly they seem to get in their shape very quickly,

01:12:14so Kasper Schmeichel made the right

01:12:16choice to get

01:12:18the ball moving, I just felt

01:12:20Niklas Kuhn should have been more direct,

01:12:22he should have ran with it once Alistair Johnson fed him,

01:12:24and that's when it puts him on

01:12:26their back foot a little bit St Mirren.

01:12:30Well Celtic with 16 wins,

01:12:32and one defeat from the league games so far

01:12:34this season at Celtic Park,

01:12:36as Fraser thought about heading it back,

01:12:38but did well in the end, although it's taken off his toes

01:12:40by Adam Ida.

01:12:42McGregor searches forward, offers

01:12:44an option for Ida but he's into the box,

01:12:46dances past one challenge, plays it low, it's blocked,

01:12:48breaks as far as Carla McGregor,

01:12:50back to Taylor,

01:12:52Celtic really laying siege to the

01:12:54second goal at the moment, but still

01:12:56Hedman's goal has not been breached.

01:13:02Left to right, Kuhn

01:13:04plays it low and it's blocked and another

01:13:06corner kick, Celtic with

01:13:0861 home goals

01:13:10this season, two more and they

01:13:12break the record from the 2003-04

01:13:14season which was 62.

01:13:16The three previous

01:13:18games against St Mirren this season have all resulted

01:13:20in victories by a margin of

01:13:223, 2-3-0-1s and a 5-2,

01:13:24but at the moment still goalless and we have

01:13:26about three and a half minutes

01:13:28of the first half to go.

01:13:30Celtic with their seventh corner,

01:13:32can it be a McGregor seventh? It's going to be

01:13:34an out swinger this time from Arne Engels.

01:13:36Every St Mirren player

01:13:38once more back defending this,

01:13:40the Belgian puts it to the rear post,

01:13:42it's headed away to the far side,

01:13:44it's a volley and once more it's blocked,

01:13:46this time by Taylor, just gets his body

01:13:48in front of the ball and St Mirren again,

01:13:50now they're throwing their body on the line here,

01:13:52once more Bernardo, good technique

01:13:54again from the Portuguese midfielder.

01:13:56Yeah it was interesting watching him prior

01:13:58to the corner, he was on the edge

01:14:00of the box himself, but you know he's got that technique

01:14:02and quality, because I think against Aberdeen

01:14:04in midweek he missed a couple of chances

01:14:06when you expected him to hit the target.

01:14:1233 goals,

01:14:1416 league goals,

01:14:16could do with another couple just to become

01:14:18top league goalscorer this season,

01:14:20he's won every other personal

01:14:22accolade, every player of the year award

01:14:24going, he has won it.

01:14:28Here comes Greg Taylor,

01:14:30now to

01:14:32the Celtic and Scotland

01:14:34player of the year, Dyson Maida,

01:14:36let the ball into the box, it's clutched

01:14:38out there by Zach Heming.

01:14:42He's had an incredible season

01:14:44Dyson Maida.

01:14:46It's been unbelievable,

01:14:48I must admit it surprised me

01:14:50because the amount of goals

01:14:52he's scored and the types of goals he's scored

01:14:54have been magnificent and deserves all

01:14:56the awards he's got. His work ethic

01:14:58is phenomenal,

01:15:00his quality has been excellent this season.

01:15:06Ball, ball from the Southampton goalkeeper,

01:15:08normally finds Greg Taylor

01:15:10and he works all the way back to

01:15:12his goalkeeper.

01:15:14Not really much

01:15:16to do in this first half.

01:15:18Celtic still time,

01:15:20just about 90 seconds

01:15:22or so of the 45 to go

01:15:24to get the opening goal

01:15:26and it's Dyson Maida who takes off

01:15:28down this left flank, he's into the box,

01:15:30cuts it back, there's a chance for Koon

01:15:32but it's stabbed away by Declan John

01:15:34that was desperate defending.

01:15:38That was a clever flick from Bernardo

01:15:40but Armie Engels

01:15:42weren't on the same wavelength there,

01:15:44otherwise the play would have opened up

01:15:46but you just saw the speed there of Dyson Maida.

01:15:48That has to be the first yellow card

01:15:50of the afternoon and it goes

01:15:52to Killian Phillips,

01:15:54the Irishman on loan from Crystal Palace

01:15:56and he's given away a free kick.

01:16:00I think it was Marcus Fraser

01:16:02who ran away from there.

01:16:04Dyson Maida,

01:16:06good defending, you've got to give them credit,

01:16:08they get back in very quickly as well.

01:16:10Adam Maida had made a great run straight through

01:16:12the central area.

01:16:16This would be an ideal time to score,

01:16:18remember in midweek it was Yang

01:16:20who got a goal right on the stroke of half-time

01:16:22to restore Celtic's lead.

01:16:24Pettodrie 2-1 ahead,

01:16:26can a Celtic player get on the end

01:16:28of this Armie Engels free kick

01:16:30and give Celtic the half-time lead

01:16:32against St Mirren?

01:16:38Engels fires this one into the box

01:16:40and it's headed clear by Gogic.

01:16:42Back to the Belgian,

01:16:44takes a touch again,

01:16:46walks that one down the line to Nicholas Koon,

01:16:48he's into the box,

01:16:50cuts it back and it's gone behind.

01:16:54Referee claiming the last touch came off

01:16:56the German and it's gone behind

01:16:58for a goal kick and we're almost

01:17:00at the 45.

01:17:02The fourth official stands at the edge of

01:17:06the touchline,

01:17:08there will be one added minute at the end

01:17:10of this first half

01:17:12and we are now into that.

01:17:14I think...

01:17:20This was when I was talking about

01:17:22earlier on, the amount of time

01:17:24a goalkeeper has the ball,

01:17:26it's been at least two minutes

01:17:28and Zach Nevin's been messing about with the ball

01:17:30for free kicks and goal kicks etc.

01:17:32The referee's been checking him every single time.

01:17:34I think he's counting one elephant,

01:17:36two elephant, three elephant.

01:17:38Johnson

01:17:40slides that one forward,

01:17:42looking for Nicholas Koon.

01:17:44It's a chance for Koon,

01:17:46he's into the box,

01:17:48plays it back, well he just fires it too high.

01:17:50If only Adam Ido was

01:17:52seven foot eight.

01:17:54A good play from Taylor, he keeps it in play,

01:17:56can he deliver it into the box? He can,

01:17:58to the far post, but it's gone behind

01:18:00and out for a goal kick.

01:18:04Someone claiming there was a wee nudge in the back of

01:18:06Declan John.

01:18:08And there indeed is the

01:18:10halftime whistle.

01:18:12Halftime, first 45 minutes Peter

01:18:14that Celtic have dominated in terms of

01:18:16possession, they've been on the front foot but

01:18:18not too many clear-cut

01:18:20chances for the champions.

01:18:22No there is not, there's been a couple of balls in the

01:18:24box, I think they were slow to react.

01:18:26But apart from that as you say,

01:18:28it's Hemmings not made any saves,

01:18:30Kasper Schmeichel's predominantly had one

01:18:32shot I think it was, the rest of it

01:18:34was pass-backs and playing out from the back.

01:18:36So you're right Paul, there's not been a lot of

01:18:38action, goal-mouth action, Celtic

01:18:40have dominated as they usually do.

01:18:42And that's what you've got to watch, be careful against

01:18:44them that you don't give set plays away.

01:18:46Well we have 45

01:18:48minutes of the Scottish Premiership season

01:18:50still to go, but we're still

01:18:52awaiting the first goal at

01:18:54the home of the champions, but I'm sure that will come

01:18:56in the second 45 minutes.

01:18:58Well we've gone shortly

01:19:00down to Gerry and

01:19:02Simon Trachside, they're just putting on

01:19:04their factor 50 as we speak.

01:19:06But there's still so much more to come here on

01:19:08Trophy Day, and we'll hear the half-time

01:19:10analysis from the guys shortly, but first let's

01:19:12take a look back at a brilliant event

01:19:14in Paradise earlier this week, of which I must

01:19:16have said Simon Donnelly was part of

01:19:18and that was

01:19:20Fleet Alliance's play on the part day, former

01:19:22Celtic players and fans joined

01:19:24forces for a special day

01:19:26and it was all in support

01:19:28of Celtic FC Foundation.

01:19:32Today at

01:19:36Paradise, Celtic legends and fans

01:19:38hit the pitch for Fleet Alliance's

01:19:40play on the park, a charity match

01:19:42in support of the Celtic

01:19:44FC Foundation.

01:19:46The event brought together familiar

01:19:48faces from Celtic's past, alongside

01:19:50well-known supporters. First up

01:19:52we caught up with former Celtic

01:19:54captain, Tom Boyd.

01:19:56Different scenario, obviously managing, but I have

01:19:58done this a few times, and

01:20:00yeah, it's really enjoyable.

01:20:02A wee bit of banter, as always.

01:20:04But you just try and set

01:20:06standards as you want.

01:20:08Whether it be wearing the hooks or the waist strap, or

01:20:10whoever's playing today,

01:20:12you're representing Celtic.

01:20:14And you want to win every game.

01:20:16Yeah, I've done a few things myself for it, and

01:20:18listen, the Celtic Foundation

01:20:20are the fans at heart.

01:20:22That's why we started all those years ago

01:20:24and they do

01:20:26the stuff for us, and we raise the money.

01:20:28Gillian, it's always special to be back at

01:20:30Paradise. How much are you looking forward to getting back on

01:20:32the pitch today, again, with alongside

01:20:34some familiar faces? Every time I

01:20:36have the opportunity to put the boots

01:20:38on, especially in a Celtic park,

01:20:40put a smile on my face.

01:20:42I'm really looking forward to it. I've played

01:20:44last year as well, and

01:20:46it's really good. It's great to see

01:20:48so many people turning up

01:20:50and supporting the Foundation,

01:20:52being part of a special day.

01:20:54I'm really looking forward to it.

01:20:56You're usually behind the scenes with the Celtic

01:20:58FC Foundation, but today you'll be

01:21:00playing a part out on the pitch. How special

01:21:02is it to be part of such a

01:21:04great event, playing alongside some Celtic

01:21:06legends and supporters?

01:21:08Absolutely amazing. I really

01:21:10appreciate Fleet Alliance for giving me this opportunity.

01:21:12And like you say, it's good to be

01:21:14on this side for a wee change. It's been

01:21:16many years since I've kicked a ball,

01:21:18so we'll see how it goes.

01:21:20At the moment, we have one

01:21:22of our dementia care groups that's getting

01:21:24in one of the lounges just now, so that's

01:21:26just one example of

01:21:28where the help will be going.

01:21:36Alistair, you're no stranger

01:21:38to Paradise, but today you're out there

01:21:40on the pitch. How much are you looking forward to

01:21:42being part of this event, and of course supporting

01:21:44the Celtic FC Foundation?

01:21:46I'm really looking forward

01:21:48to it. It's going to be phenomenal.

01:21:50I'm always in the stands, probably right about

01:21:52there, but this time I've got to be on the pitch,

01:21:54and I'm really looking forward

01:21:56to it, and obviously supporting the Foundation.

01:21:58Your dad's a massive

01:22:00Celtic fan, but today

01:22:02it's you that's wearing the hoops,

01:22:04representing the family, of course.

01:22:06Has he given you any advice

01:22:08or encouragement here at Paradise today?

01:22:10Just score a goal. Just get

01:22:12a goal, you know.

01:22:14Pedrov behind me. If I can't

01:22:16be assisted by him, then I'll probably never score a goal,

01:22:18so that's the idea today.

01:22:22Simon, you're usually

01:22:26in the commentary box, but today you're back

01:22:28out in the Paradise pitch. How much

01:22:30are you looking forward to getting the boots on?

01:22:32I'm not sure what I prefer the most now.

01:22:34Maybe a wee bit easier in the commentary.

01:22:36No, I'm looking forward to getting back out on the

01:22:38hallowed turf again here at Celtic Park.

01:22:40The pitch is looking great.

01:22:42Fifty now, so I don't know how long

01:22:44it'll last, but yeah, I'm looking forward to it.

01:22:46There's a lot of good guys here.

01:22:48We needed some money for the Foundation.

01:22:50Martin's just hiding behind

01:22:52the camera there.

01:22:54It's a great occasion. I've been involved

01:22:56in a few of these. I've been lucky enough

01:22:58to go over to the other side of the world with

01:23:00Sahara Desert, the Foundation.

01:23:02More importantly, it's raising money for the

01:23:04less fortunate in our community.

01:23:06It's fantastic work that they do.

01:23:08Erin, you've been at the club a short time,

01:23:10working as a kit coordinator for the

01:23:12women's team, but you're already out here

01:23:14on the pitch for a fantastic cause.

01:23:16How does it feel to be involved

01:23:18in an event with so many familiar faces

01:23:20that you know?

01:23:22It's stuff of dreams. You come here every week

01:23:24watching your team, so to be able to get the

01:23:26opportunity to play on the pitch that they play

01:23:28on every week is brilliant. It's really good to be involved

01:23:30in it today.

01:23:38Martin, congratulations on the winning side.

01:23:40Another fantastic day

01:23:42here at Celtic Park for the Celtic FC

01:23:44Foundation. How proud are you

01:23:46to continue this partnership and see

01:23:48so many fans and legends come together

01:23:50for a great cause?

01:23:52It's brilliant. You can use the sponsorship for good,

01:23:54which we do. With a lot of the rights

01:23:56it makes sense. Not only a sponsor,

01:23:58but also a trustee in the Foundation.

01:24:00I see the good work the Foundation does.

01:24:02I always say to people, if you take away the Celtic

01:24:04badge and just look at this as a charity,

01:24:06it's a phenomenal charity. So to do it

01:24:08and have some old guys running around the pitch

01:24:10and I'm on the winning team again, I do pick the teams in fairness.

01:24:12You've been a long-standing

01:24:14supporter of the Celtic FC Foundation

01:24:16as you just said, Martin. What message would you

01:24:18like to give to everyone who

01:24:20has come out to play and support today?

01:24:22Just to thank them. We'll probably raise £7,000 or

01:24:24£8,000 today. We'll go on a few

01:24:26beers after it and make a good day of it.

01:24:28It's a win-win.

01:24:30Charity, you make some money and everybody has a bit of fun

01:24:32for a great cause.

01:24:34And that's a wrap on

01:24:36a brilliant day at Paradise, where the Celtic

01:24:38family once again came together

01:24:40for a great cause. Huge

01:24:42thanks to Martin Brown and the team

01:24:44at Fleet Alliance for their continued support

01:24:46and to all who came along today

01:24:48to make it a memorable day

01:24:50for the Celtic FC Foundation.

2025 05 17 - Celtic vs St Mirren - 1st half

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