THE Celtic fans flocked to Parkhead in their tens of thousands today in the hope of seeing their heroes record another William Hill Premiership victory before being presented with the league trophy for the fourth consecutive year.
Their rivals St Mirren, though, had clearly not read the script.
The Paisley side, who still had an outside chance of leapfrogging Dundee United into fifth spot and qualifying for Europe, gatecrashed the Scottish title party and silenced the Glasgow ground.
A second half Jonah Ayunga goal gave Stephen Robinson’s side the lead and temporarily put them in front of United in the table.
James Forrest came to the rescue for Celtic at the very death – the veteran wide man came off the bench and levelled in the fourth minute of injury-time to salvage a draw for the champions.
St Mirren were denied their first triumph in the East End since the January of 2021 by the late blow and, with United coming from behind to prevail against Aberdeen at Tannadice, also missed out on a place in the Conference League qualifying rounds next season.
But they gave their hosts much to ponder before the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup final against Aberdeen at Hampden next Saturday.
Here are five talking points from a Celtic flag day which did not go entirely according to plan.
Braindead Brigade
The Green Brigade bemoaned the fact that senior club officials had refused to meet with them since the November of 2023 in a statement which NorthcCurve Celtic posted on X earlier this month.
Nobody in the Parkhead directors box will be throwing the doors of the boardroom to them any time soon after the ultras group’s latest act of gross stupidity.
The occupants of the safe-standing section staged a mass coordinated pyrotechnic display before the match got underway. Dozens of strobes were ignited and green, white and orange smoke bombs were set off.
A giant flag showing the face of chief executive Michael Nicholson behind a no entry sign was held up next to banners which read “Fan engagement up in smoke”.
Sadly for the Green Brigade, their chances of getting into the next Premier Sports Cup semi-final their team are involved in at Hampden have probably been incinerated by their actions.
Celtic were found to have breached SPFL Rule H34 in both the semi-final and final of this season’s competition back in March and were hit with a suspended sanction of reduction of 800 tickets for the next last four game they are involved in. That is now sure to be triggered as a result of their thoughtlessness.
There was a nice tifo honouring Forrest – who overtook Lisbon Lion Bobby Lennox as the most decorated Celtic player of all-time when he claimed his 26th major honour last month – in the second half. They should try to focus on the football.
Classy Buddies
St Mirren still had the chance to finish fifth in the Premiership going into this match. They needed to draw or win and hope that Dundee United, who were a point ahead of them, failed to beat Aberdeen over at Tannadice. It was a long shot, but they travelled through to their final fixture from Paisley with hope in their hearts.
Robinson’s charges were, as they have been all season, excellent. They contained Callum McGregor and his team mates effectively from kick-off. Their goalkeeper Zach Hemming hardly had a meaningful save of note to make until late on. Crucially, they took their chance when it came six minute into the second half.
The ball fell to Ayunga after Liam Scales had failed to clear a Declan John free-kick and the forward kept his composure and calmly slotted beyond Kasper Schmeichel. Ultimately, their heroic efforts proved, with United coming from behind to prevail on Tayside, to no avail.
Still, Mark O’Hara and his team mates deserved the warm ovation which they received from their supporters after the final whistle. They could hold their heads up high. The guard of honour they formed for their opponents before kick-off was a touch of class too.
Cup final chances squandered
Opportunities knocked for Paulo Bernardo, who took over from the injured Reo Hatate in central midfield, and Adam Idah, who once again started up front. Could they prove to their manager Brendan Rodgers that they deserved the nod for the Scottish Cup final?
Celtic were far from their brilliant best as a collective unit. But neither Bernardo nor Idah did their cause much good with their personal displays either. They were substituted along with Nicolas Kuhn after the hosts fell behind.
Rodgers may be tempted to go with Luke McCowan in the middle and Daizen Maeda at striker next week.
Substitute Johnn Kenny forced a brilliant double save from Hemming at the end and Yang Hyun-jun also tested the keeper in the closing stages. They might have forced their way into contention with their bright showings.
Maeda miss, Forrest fire
The winger may be 33 now and might not have many more seasons at his boyhood heroes ahead of him. Still, he showed that he is still a quality player who is capable of wreaking havoc in the final third when he replaced Kuhn. He was fast and direct whenever he got on the ball.
The Scotland internationalist teed up Japanese forward Maeda directly in front of goal only for the man who was yesterday named SFWA Player of the Year to head over the crossbar from all of a yard out. It was that kind of day for Celtic.
But the living legend levelled in the fourth minute of injury-time to secure a draw for the champions. It was his first goal of the season and meant that he has now scored for the Glasgow giants in 16 consecutive seasons.
No history for Bhoys
Forrest’s late, late effort took Celtic’s goal tally in the Premiership this season to 112 – one more than the Lisbon Lions managed in the league in their historic 1966/67 campaign.
However, they had the opportunity to surpass the record 114 mark which Ange Postecoglou’s side managed two seasons ago and they failed to take advantage of it.
