Celts cruise to victory as great Dane Gravesen fires hat-trick

CELTIC chief executive Peter Lawwell revealed he will be having private discussions with St Mirren after the Saints’ PA announcer claimed the visiting fans had been singing sectarian songs in the first half of the Hoops’ 3-1 Bank of Scotland Premier League victory at Love Street.

A Thomas Gravesen hat-trick gave the Hoops all three points with the Paisley side having only a John Sutton header to show for their efforts.

However, at the interval, with the visitors 2-0 ahead and cruising, the announcer, alluding to the songs and chants from the away support, urged home fans to “keep the good name of St Mirren intact by not responding to sectarian songs being sung”.

Afterwards St Mirren chairman Stewart Gilmour distanced the Paisley club from the announcement but supported the message: “He (PA announcer) did it off his own back but I have no problem with it.

“I’m just glad to say that it is not a problem with St Mirren fans.”

Lawwell responded by issuing a statement: “This is the first time that this has happened and it was unauthorised by St Mirren or Strathclyde Police.

“Celtic will be taking the matter up privately with St Mirren.”

On another controversial issue, Gilmour also explained the decision not to have a minute’s silence for Remembrance Day before the game: “Yesterday was the (November) 11th and we were given no instruction from the SPL.”

The game itself was more straightforward with Celtic deserving their win, although St Mirren boss Gus MacPherson claimed the corner that led to Celtic’s third goal via a Gravesen header should have been a goal kick.

He said: “By all accounts Gravesen’s header was over the line from the corner but it wasn’t a corner, it was a goal kick.”

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan retorted: “I had no idea if it was a corner, I just let the referee make decisions.

“Kenny Miller got rugby-tackled in the box we just get on with it. We have had many decisions against us this season but we don’t come out and cry about it.”

ST MIRREN: Bullock, van Zanten, McGowne (Reid 30), Millen, Broadfoot, Brittain, Murray, Brady (Burke 73), Lappin, Sutton, Mehmet (Kean 75).

CELTIC: Boruc, Telfer, Caldwell, McManus, Naylor, Nakamura, Lennon, Gravesen, Maloney (Sno 66), Miller (Zurawski 61), Vennegoor of Hesselink (Jarosik 86).

Referee: S Dougal (Scotland).