McDonald pairs up with Hesselink up front for Celtic

Celtic had a familiar look about them for the Clydesdale Bank Premier League opener against St Mirren at Parkhead.

Scott McDonald partnered Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink in attack with skipper Stephen McManus back in the heart of the defence alongside Gary Caldwell after recovering from a groin injury.

With regular midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura out, also with a groin injury, the champions’ engine room consisted of Scott Brown, Barry Robson, Paul Hartley and Aiden McGeady.

St Mirren boss Gus MacPherson handed debuts to Jack Ross and Tom Brighton as Billy Mehmet was asked to perform a lone striker’s role.