Soccer: Unchanged team for Celtic

Celtic v St Mirren

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill was able to field an unchanged team as his team sought the three points that would see the Scottish Premier League title clinched convincingly early in his first season in charge.

The side that forced its way past Dundee in midweek was the one sent out with instructions to finish the job at the expense of bottom club St Mirren.

With Chris Sutton still suspended, Tommy Johnson continued his partnership up front with Henrik Larsson.

The Swede began the match a goal short of equalling Charlie Nicholas’ post-war club record of 48 goals in all competitions.

And two today would see him equal Brian McClair’s best ever Scottish Premier League haul of 35.

Saints arrived at a Parkhead full house still searching for their first away win of the season.

Indeed, they had only avoided defeat once on their travels, drawing at fellow strugglers Dundee United.

Manager Tom Hendrie selected an attacking line-up in a bid to pull off the shock result only the most die-hard Buddies fans were thinking was possible.

Steven McPhee, the on-loan striker from Coventry, was given a start, as was Jose Quitongo. Graham Fenton, largely ignored by O’Neill when both were at Leicester, was another attacking option for the visitors.

Top scorer Ricky Gillies was another starter, disproving suggestions that he would be rested to avoid a yellow card that would have seen him suspended for a future relegation clash once the league splits in two next week.