Scotland: Celtic labour past St Mirren to maintain lead over Rangers

Second-half goals from Cameron Carter-Vickers and Callum McGregor earned Celtic another crucial three cinch Premiership points against St Mirren.

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.

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.

Celtic were again without Giorgos Giakoumakis, who was absent for the goalless draw with Hibernian on Sunday through illness, and they missed his penalty-box presence at times.

Glen Kamara's early goal helped Rangers beat St Johnstone 1-0 and keep the pressure on Celtic.

The Finland international’s effort secured the Light Blues’ first win in five away games, keeping them three points behind the Hoops.

Dogged Saints, locked in a relegation battle with Tayside rivals Dundee, refused to buckle after that disastrous start to ensure a nervous run-in for Rangers manager Giovanni Van Bronckhorst, who opted to keep all his substitutes on the bench.