THE MAIN PROBLEM
Hoops stumble as Curtis double proves champions don’t have plenty in reserve
The champagne might be on ice but this was another afternoon when Celtic were off the boil.
There’s no knocking Ange Postecoglou’s side off top spot with the Premiership title already wrapped up.
But the Parkhead boss isn’t happy his side have dipped below their usual high standards for a second week running
Postecoglou had accused his team of giving up on a result while losing last week’s derby dead rubber at Ibrox.
They didn’t do that this time as Callum McGregor’s goal nine minutes from time rescued a point and spared the Hoops from su f fe r ing ba ck- to - back Premiership defeats for the first time in a decade. But while the result matters not a lot to the champions in the wider sense, it might have Scottish Cup Final consequences for some players.
Postecoglou won’t be afraid to react if he feels some of his stars don’t deserve their place for next month’s date with Treble destiny at Hampden.
Kyogo Furuhashi made it 31 goals for the season but the PFA Scotland Player of the Year was upstaged by the striker at the other end of the park as Curtis Main grabbed a double.
And the St Mirren star was the thickness of a post away from becoming the first opposition player to net a Celtic Park hat-trick since Aberdeen’s Eric Black in February 1983.
In the end, McGregor’s strike was a cruel blow for Stephen Robinson’s side after a brave performance.
The Buddies will need to show equal amounts of courage in their final two games, against Aberdeen and Rangers, if they’re to overtake Hibs’ two-point lead to snatch fifth place and the final European berth.
Meanwhile, McGregor admits his side will have to show much more when they face Inverness in the Scottish Cup Final.
After a display that lacked oomph but had plenty off huffing and puffing, he said: “We’ve set a good standard this season with a high level of performance.
“We were almost perfect in the league to the point we were crowned champions.
“We’ve set high standards and now everybody expects it every time we go on the pitch.
“We have to live up to that every time. And we do need to keep pushing.
“We’ve three games left and it’s a big effort between now and the end of the season to nail down our principles and commit to the game we want to see.
“In football you can’t just turn it on and off. It doesn’t work like that.
“You can’t have a good game, turn a light off then turn it back on three weeks later.”
Postecoglou’s line-up had a more recognisable look to it as Kyogo, Daizen Maeda and Greg Taylor all returned after being benched against Gers.
But the Aussie wasn’t done with his experimenting as he tested out midfielder Tomoki Iwata at centre-half, with the Japanese ace replacing Yuki Kobayashi after his less-thanconvincing outing against Michael Beale’s men.
But the Yokohama F. Marinos loanee didn’t look any more comma nd i n g t ha n h i s countryman had been in Govan.
A mix-up with Tony Ralston
gifted St Mirren their fourthminute opener.
Both Celtic players only had eyes for the ball as they chased a Trevor Carson punt – but when they collided it left Main free to streak in behind.
The big frontman was Saints’ only f it senior striker but he proved more than handful, cutting back inside the chasing Ralston before drilling past Joe Hart to send the travelling Paisley faithful into raptures.
The home punters were on their feet not long after though as Celts levelled in 15 minutes.
It was a goal made in Japan as Iwata fed Reo Hatate on the edge of the box.
The midfielder had only a second to pick a pass but timed it to perfection as Kyogo beat the offside trap before unleashing a rocket that fizzed into the roof of Trevor Carson’s net.
That should have been the cue for the hosts to turn the heat up further.
But while they could pass the ball around the St Mirren defence for fun, cutting through it was another matter.
The Buddies eventually broke free of their box and should have scored again when the impressive Ryan Strain somehow blew a five-yard sitter.
But Celtic continued to show generosity to Saints as Carl Starfelt’s unforced error put the ball of out play.
From Joe Shaughnessey’s huge throw, Taylor could only clear to the edge of the box where Mark O’Hara was waiting to knock the ball back in for Main to nod home. Two goals at Celtic Park for one man is a rare achievement these days but the striker wi l l be kicking himself that he did not go one better after the break.
He had two big headers as Strain twice f loated in perfect crosses from the right but could take neither as Celtic were twice let off the hook.
He was closer after pouncing on Iwata’s slip but watched with frustration as his strike crashed off the post.
St Mirren thought they had survived a major scare where Carson tipped Oh Hyeon-gyu’s shot on to the woodwork.
But victory was snatched away late on as McGregor curled home a sweet low finish as Celtic again prove they never stop.