Celtic hammer St. Mirren, move 16 points clear

 
Glasgow Celtic bounced back from their struggles at Livingston fast, hitting five goals to sink St. Mirren at Celtic Park on Saturday afternoon. The overwhelming victory came in an aftermath of only decent result at Livingston, where the home side was close to grab full points but Celtic equalized in the added time. Saturday’s opponent St. Mirren have struggled all season, only managing six wins and 26 points so far, falling to second to last in the Scottish Premiership, already 11 points behind the top half. Celtic’s run has been constant all season, as the reigning champions have only lost two and drew two this season, while scoring almost three goals per game. Visiting St. Mirren felt that offensive prowess, being mauled by five goals by their hosts in a lopsided fixture.

Celtic boss Neil Lennon decided to go with two strikers, Odsonne Edouard and Leigh Griffiths and the duo caused havoc all game long in the St. Mirren defense. Griffiths opened the scoring on 18^th minute after a brilliant lobbed pass by Edouard. St. Mirren’s keeper Vaclac Hladky had to save Edouard’s effort from 16 –yard-line as well as close range header and curling shot from the edge of the box by James Forrest. Tom Rogic had his shot parried as well and Hladky took his team on his shoulders, holding the fort. The visitors’ chances were limited to long-range tries, but Fraser Forster showed safe hand in what little he had to do. Celtic got their insurance goal finally on 44^th minute, with Leigh Griffiths the culprit after an excellent one-two play with Tom Rogic. Griffiths double led Celtic to the half 2-0 up, but St. Mirren’s goalkeeper Hladky had most of the work done, saving seven shots in the half.

The second half started as the first finished, with Hladky making a brilliant save on Griffiths. Odsonne Edouard then made some space inside the box and tapped in a real goal-scorers effort from the middle of St. Mirren defense. Griffiths sealed his hat-trick on 74^th minute, scorching in a powerful effort from 20-yards out. The visitors barely got a chance to get in the game and the 5-0 was then finished off by Callum McGregor from a penalty spot.

Celtic took a 16-point lead on top of the Scottish Premiership, but the chasing Rangers have two games in hand. Next weekend is a massive fixture regarding the contest for the title as the Old Firm returns to Ibrox Stadium on Sunday 15^th March. Don’t forget Dafabet’s Celtic FC Prediction Challenge in order to win free weekly bets.

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Rangers vs Celtic (1×2): 2.71 – 3.15 – 2.54