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.