Celtic beat St Mirren, stay clear on top

Second-half goals from Cameron Carter-Vickers and Callum McGregor have earned Celtic another crucial three Scottish Premiership points against St Mirren to keep them clear on top.

Carter-Vickers lashed home from close range to ease the tension at Parkhead 10 minutes after the break after Celtic had struggled to cut through a well-drilled visiting team on Wednesday night.

The opener did not open the floodgates by any means but Celtic's lead was never threatened before McGregor doubled it in the 81st minute when he drilled home from inside the box.

The 2-0 victory kept the leaders three points clear of Rangers with nine games remaining.

Manager Ange Postecoglou had warned the leaders would face a battle in every game of the run-in with every team in the league playing for something, and St Mirren provided just that.

Ahead of the game, only Celtic had collected more Premiership points than St Mirren in 2022, despite the Buddies playing one less game than most of the division.

St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson lined up with five defenders with the added protection of Alan Power and Alex Gogic in central midfield.

Celtic's best first-half chance came from a set-piece. Daizen Maeda peeled off the goalkeeper to meet Matt O'Riley's inswinging free-kick but headed well wide.

There were clear signs of restlessness in the home support and clear-cut chances proved elusive in the final stages of the half.