Celtic 2 St. Mirren 0

By: Matt | September 26th, 2009

The legend of Paddy McCourt continued to grow today, as Celtic continued St. Mirren’s winless streak at their new Love Street ground. McCourt’s glorious run in the 28th minute resulted in Celtic’s first goal and left numerous St. Mirren defenders nursing their broken ego. It was McCourt’s second goal after a long run in as many games, and it was enough to give Celtic the three points. St. Mirren were held without much effort in the first half by a defense that featured Stephen McManus and Glenn Loovens, with Gary Caldwell noticeably missing from the starting XI. The second half saw St. Mirren create more chances, including one that saw St. Mirren’s Mehmet alone on goal and then beating Artur Boruc, but Glenn Loovens was on the goal line and cleared the ball from danger. The Buddies would rue missing this chance, because minutes later in the 78th minute Shaun Maloney gave Celtic their second goal of the day when he curled a shot into the net to secure the victory. With Aberdeen going to Ibrox and getting a draw, the win for Celtic gave a four point lead in the SPL before traveling to Ibrox next weekend. Join me after the jump for some thoughts and highlights of the game.

-Gary Caldwell was on the bench. Celtic gets their first clean sheet of the season. Is this a coincidence? I am not sure, but I am thinking no. Sure, in their previous two games St. Mirren had not scored at Love Street and had not won ever at their new ground. However, St. Mirren didn’t have any chances the first half. The second half was not as good for the defense, but the Buddies were still held scoreless.

-Paddy McCourt. What can else can be said. Another game, another brilliant run resulting in a goal. St. Mirren’s defense seemed to not want any part of McCourt on the run as he dodged past every defender that came his way. With these two wonder-goals, has Paddy McCourt earned himself a start against Rangers at Ibrox?

-It was good to see Shaun Maloney score a goal. He has been struggling most of the season so far, and to be fair, did not do much today except for the goal. However, a goal is often times what players like Maloney need. Something to get their confidence up and hopefully that goal was just that.

Video of Goals:
McCourt

Maloney

Category: Match Reports

Tags: Artur Boruc, Celtic, Gary Caldwell, Glenn Loovens, Match Reports, Paddy McCourt, Shaun Maloney, St Mirren, Stephen McManus

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• Wildrover |  September 26th, 2009 at 4:17 pm

  
  
  

  McCourt might be a player if he learns to pass, get into positions, tackle..ad infinitum..nice goal though. If McGeady’s fit, aye gie him a start for the trip to Mordor..the Huns are strugglin

  Posted from United States

  

• Wildrover |  September 26th, 2009 at 4:18 pm

  
  
  

  Meant “if McGeady’s NOT fit”

  Posted from United States

  

• Matt |  September 26th, 2009 at 11:24 pm

  
  
  

  The guy can get forward and attack, there’s no doubt about that. Even if McGeady is healthy, I’d like to see a 4-5-1 with McCourt playing the role that Brown has been ineffective so far in.

  Posted from United States

  

• Paul Dinneen |  September 26th, 2009 at 11:39 pm

  
  
  

  Play a 4-3-3 at Mordor. Midfield: Crosas–McCourt-N’Guemo Forwards: Maloney-Samaras-McGeady. Let Paddy make the deep runs with Maloney and McGeady attacking them from the flanks. 7th heaven a week today.

  Hail Hail!

  Posted from United Kingdom

  

• Matt |  September 27th, 2009 at 9:10 am

  
  
  

  Paul-I like it and I am usually a big fan of the 4-3-3, but I am a little concerned about Paddy’s ability to track back in that formation, especially with the state of our defense. I sadly don’t think Crosas is in ToMo’s plans either, but I would like to see him or Robson in that role.

  Posted from United States

  

• Rex |  September 27th, 2009 at 9:11 am

  
  
  

  As far as Paddy McCourt is concerned, it great to see him play with such excitement and intent on his two big opportunities of late – Falkirk in the League Cup, St. Mirren in the League. Often you see a signing come in, not get many starts and resent the “scraps” he does get on the infrequent sub-in or start. McCourt still has many places to improve off the ball, as Wildrover rightly states above, but his moments of on-the-ball genius (again, remember back to the match v Spurs at Wembly) are encouraging to see.

  Aye, best of luck to him in hopefully a long and successful Celtic career.

  Hail Hail!

  Posted from United States

  

• Ryan M Liddell |  September 27th, 2009 at 10:09 am

  
  
  

  I’m not sure which McCourt Wildrover was watching…

  McCourt’s ability to pass is in doubt?
  How many passes went astray?
  How many passes were met the “sublime” first touch of Skippy and Killer?

  He sent Maloney through only to have him mugged off the ball in the box. He routinely hit Skippy and Killen in the center of the park, at their feet and they chopped it up. In the first half, his second effort on goal was actually a side-footer across the face of goal to a waiting Scott McDonald. It was well cut-out by the buddies’ keeper.

  A couple of outside-of-the-boot through balls to Maloney and Skippy did’nae come off, but the fact that he traversed the park and picked them out is the issue.

  We all knew what we got from the Derry City / Rochdale bloggers whom watched him…
  “Undeniable talent; can drift in and out of matches; can win them for you; will create many moments of absolute magic; cannae defend”

  He is what he is, and he IS exactly what we need against certain competition. I would NOT play him against Rangers. The speed and physicality of that match will probably render him ineffective.

  However, over our many matches throughout many competitions there are plenty of opportunities for him to start. Against much of SPL level, he will do well.
  The squad is a “SQUAD” for a reason.

  Hail! Hail!
  YNWA
  Ryan M. Liddell

  Posted from United States

  

• Wildrover |  September 27th, 2009 at 3:58 pm

  
  
  

  Ryan M Liddell (phew !) – was watchin the same game as Rex apparently.

  Potential is undeniable, however I’m not ready to throw my knickers at him yet over a couple of goals scored against very limited opposition.

  Agree he should be used and hope to see more of him.

  Posted from United States

  

• Matt |  September 27th, 2009 at 5:41 pm

  
  
  

  I kind of come in between all of your comments. I think McCourt can start next week, but I am concerned about his ability to track back (or lack there of), but he obviously can produce magic on the ball, which is why I wouldn’t mind seeing the 4-5-1 with guys like Robson out there to knock the shite out of the Huns while McCourt can go forward and help either Skippy or Sammy.

  Posted from United States

  

• Marco |  September 28th, 2009 at 7:04 am

  
  
  

  I think mccourt should be allowed the freedom to roam behind the front two and out wide etc. He may cause a little confusion in the rangers defense and find himself with some space to turn and run. If he gets a chance to run at a defense he will cause any defense trouble. His confidence is up now and I hope he works harder on his fitness. He shouldn’t be expected to track back, play to his strenghts i say.

  Posted from Ireland

  

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