Celtic 1-St. Mirren 0: Muchachas Sucia, Sucia

By: Matt | August 10th, 2008

Those familiar the Rob and Big television show are aware of the term “Dirty Girl”. Celtic started off the 2008/2009 season right with a 1-0 win of St. Mirren today at Celtic Park, but it was a bit “dirty”. Not in the cheap physical play sense. But rather in the ugly, barely watchable sense. Today’s game was that straggly girl that seems to be at every bar ever. The affair was kick started by the emotional event of the late Tommy Burns widow Rosemary Burns unfurling the SPL Champions Flag. Celtic put forth a similar lineup as much of last year, the only exceptions being Shunsuke Nakamura still nursing a groin injury. Barry Robson played on the wing for Naka, but as I expected, Robson was not the dynamo and leader on the wing as he was playing midfield last year. From early on, Celtic controlled the play, but the Buddies were able to hold a strong back line and put a shot on goal first that Artur Boruc was able to handle easily. Celtic’s best scoring chance of the half came from an Andy Hinkel cross that Scott McDonald was able to get a head on, but sent the ball just over the bar. Neither side were able to put the ball in the net in the first forty five minutes and the familiar sense of unease seemed to fill Celtic Park.

It was not until the 61st minute that saw Celtic got onto the score sheet. Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink pounced on a Gary Caldwell long free kick that St. Mirren were not able to clear and was held in the box to earn a penalty kick. While the spot kick was probably deserved, the St. Mirren player was sent off, which was probably an overreaction by the ref. The usual solid at penalties,Barry Robson stepped up to take the kick, and the ball seemed to be saved by the St. Mirren keeper’s legs, but the ball spun over the line before it could be cleared and Celtic got the only goal of the day. St. Mirren almost immediately equalized, sending a shot just inches wide of the net. Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink had a chance to add a second goal on a header ten yards out, but he sent it wide. Yet, it did not matter, even though it was not pretty, Celtic earned a workman like 3 points for the day. Despite not seeing a lot of creativity on the offensive side, the oft criticized back line played solid. Despite getting pelters abound, Gary Caldwellwas a rock in the defense and his decent long free kick led to the penalty for Celtic. Suprisingly, Captain Stephen McManus was the most shaky of the two centerbacks. Not the best day ever, but the three points were earned. Just like being with a “Dirty Girl”. You don’t feel great about yourself afterwords, but the goal was met I suppose.

Along with the festivities of the Champions Flag and opening day, Celtic unveiled the worst kept secret of Marc Crosas today. Crosas was paraded in front of the Parkhead faithful and it is expected he could be in the lineup as soon as next weekend at Dundee United.