Robinson left frustrated as injuries take their toll
Saints boss encouraged by performance at Celtic
ST MIRREN manager Stephen Robinson reckons he was dealt a bad hand by Lady Luck against Celtic at the weekend as injuries forced him to shuffle his pack.
The Buddies lost wing-back Elvis Bwomono to a head knock just 23 minutes into the match at Parkhead, with Ryan Strain replacing him from the bench.
There was further disruption at halftime as Saints’ other wing-back, Scott Tanser, was forced off, giving Jaden Brown the chance to step in.
Another blow followed just moments into the second period as Greg Kiltie had to be replaced by Lewis Jamieson.
And there was another forced substitution late in the game as defender Richard Taylor had to make way for Charles Dunne.
The visitors had created the better openings in a first half that ended 0-0, with Kiltie spurning a great opportunity as he failed to make the required contact with an enticing pass played to him by Toyosi Olusanya.
Aussie ace Strain had an effort blocked and Olusanya fired over from a tight angle as Robinson’s troops made life uncomfortable for the league leaders.
However, as the St Mirren injury list grew ever larger, Celtic upped their intensity, with Reo Hatate producing a classy finish with the outside of his boot in the 52nd minute.
Kyogo Furuhashi made it 2-0 on the hour mark as he headed home.
And there was further punishment for the Buddies after 86 minutes as Hoops substitute Adam Idah also netted a header to complete a 3-0 victory and leave Robinson to bemoan a missed opportunity.
He said: “Scott Tanser and Elvis going off seemed to stop our rhythm and then Greg Kiltie and Richard Taylor have to come off too.
“We maybe had five enforced changes that we didn’t want to have to make. Sometimes Lady Luck isn’t shining on you.
“Credit to Celtic for the quality they showed when they needed to. That’s the difference in levels.”
Robinson was impressed by what he witnessed from his players in the opening half but admits Celtic’s firepower was eventually too much to handle.
“We were excellent for 45 minutes and then we can get undone by two excellent goals,” he added.
“Kyogo’s movement for the second goal was fantastic and the delivery as well – and the first goal was a super finish.
“That’s the difference in levels. The first one wasn’t a clear opportunity but they made the best of it.
“The two injuries before and at halftime stopped a bit of our momentum. It takes players time to get into the rhythm and the shape.”
St Mirren’s injured players will at least have some time to visit the treatment table over the next 10 days, with no match to be played this weekend as the Scottish Cup semi-finals take centre stage.
Robinson’s men are still waiting to find out their fixture list for the five post-split cinch Premiership matches but he reckons they showed enough against Celtic to suggest they will be a handful for any of the other top-six clubs.
“You saw the quality and composure we showed on the ball,” Robinson said.
“We’ve evolved as a football side. We were brilliant defensively in the first half with the organisation and shape but the injuries throw you a little bit.
“You have to be at the top end of your game to beat Celtic and in the second half we just died off a little bit.”