Celtic emerged victorious with a commanding 5-2 win against St Mirren, fortifying their position at the summit of the Scottish Premiership. The match, held at St Mirren's ground, saw Celtic extend their lead to a formidable 16 points. Hyun-Jun Yang, coming off the bench, played a pivotal role by scoring twice and providing an assist, propelling Celtic closer to their fourth consecutive title.
The game was intensely contested on a challenging pitch, but it was Celtic who seized the advantage. Jeffrey Schlupp opened the scoring for Celtic in the 28th minute, only for Declan John to equalize with a stunning free-kick shortly after. As the first half drew to a close, Arne Engels restored Celtic's lead from the penalty spot in stoppage time.
St Mirren fought back valiantly, with Killian Phillips leveling the game just three minutes into the second half. The encounter remained tightly contested until Hyun-Jun Yang's introduction altered the dynamics. Yang's impact was immediate and decisive, as he scored in the 68th minute to reestablish Celtic's lead and sealed the victory with another goal in the 90+3 minute.
"Because we are coming to a team you can see are difficult to play against, the surface is very difficult and it's on the back of a third game of the week." – Brendan Rodgers
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers praised Yang's influential performance, noting his adaptation to the league's demands. Yang's recent form, including five goals in nine matches, marks a stark contrast to his initial 48 appearances for Celtic. Rodgers expressed satisfaction with his squad's depth and adaptability, especially under challenging circumstances.
"We needed the freshness, the energy of the players coming into the game. They made the football smile for us." – Brendan Rodgers
Daizen Maeda added another layer of assurance to Celtic's dominance with a composed finish in the 88th minute. This late flourish emphasized Celtic's attacking prowess and resilience, which has been instrumental in their current campaign.
For St Mirren, this defeat was a setback in their aspirations for a top-six finish. Stephen Robinson's side now finds itself in ninth place, three points adrift of sixth-placed Motherwell. Robinson acknowledged the penalty decision that allowed Celtic to regain their lead but refrained from blaming referee Matthew MacDermid for his call.
"It's not a good claim, it's a penalty. I don't blame the ref (Matthew MacDermid) as it happens quickly." – Stephen Robinson
Celtic's commanding performance highlighted their determination to secure yet another league title. With just three more victories needed, their sights are firmly set on continuing their dominance in Scottish football. Rodgers' comments about Yang's personal life also provided a light-hearted moment amidst the competitive intensity.
"His girlfriend is here at the moment," the Northern Irishman said. "I said to the guys, let's see if we can keep her here and get that visa sorted. Everyone knows he's in a really good mood and has been for a while." – Brendan Rodgers
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