YANG HYUN-JUN SCORED the winner as Celtic came from behind to beat an impressive St Mirren side on Saturday night.
St Mirren were heading for the top of the Premiership when Nikolas Agrafiotis netted from the spot midway through the first half.
Liam Scales conceded the penalty with a handball but made amends when he headed home six minutes after the break.
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And Yang finished off a counter-attack midway through the second half after good pressing from Camilo Duran.
The victory in Paisley made it five wins from five league games for the champions and inflicted St Mirren’s first Premiership defeat.
Martin O’Neill’s side were made to work all the way by a Saints side who played with tempo, invention and managed 19 shots at goal.
The breakthrough came when Chris Mochrie let fly for St Mirren with a first-time volley.
Scales initially had his arms behind his back but instinctively threw one up as the shot headed straight for him and the ball struck it. Ryan Lee pointed to the spot and a VAR check confirmed the defender had been in the box. Agrafiotis converted.
The game continued to swing from end to end. Duran forced a good save from Jacob Chapman on the counter-attack and Calvin Ramsay had a shot deflected wide after a lightning quick break from Saints winger Ismael Kabia.
Disallowed
Duran had a goal disallowed for offside after bundling Yang’s deflected effort over the line while Haissem Hassan was causing problems with his pace down Celtic’s right wing.
Chapman kept Saints ahead at the break with a superb flying save to tip Callum McGregor’s bouncing volley over the crossbar.
The visitors penned St Mirren back in the opening stages of the second half. The equaliser came when Scales ran to meet Benjamin Nygren’s near-post corner and steered the ball into the far corner.
Yang Hyun jun of Celtic celebrates. Alamy Stock Photo
The home team were caught out on the break, as Celtic took advantage of a four-against-two situation. Duran won the ball off Ryan Carr just inside Celtic’s half and broke forward before playing in Yang to finish.
Saints responded again. Substitute Luke Thomas scooped a great chance over the bar after a strong run from Young.
Celtic sub Sebastian Tounekti missed a stoppage-time sitter and Shim Mheuka rounded Chapman to net but was flagged offside after a VAR review.
Ryan Naderi celebrates scoring. (Steve Welsh / PA)
*****
Rangers 1
Motherwell 0
RANGERS STRIKER RYAN Naderi accepted a gift to notch the only goal against Motherwell at Ibrox.
The early substitute dispossessed Alex Paulsen as the Motherwell goalkeeper attempted to dribble the ball past him outside his box.
The German had the simple task of rolling the ball into the net to score what proved to be a 12th-minute winner.
Motherwell dominated possession and created several chances, but Rangers were more effective in the final third and should have added to their lead. Kim Min-su missed a first-half penalty and debutant striker Kevin Kelsy was among those to pass up good opportunities after he came off the bench.
Rangers ultimately saw out the game without any late scares as they recorded a third consecutive Premiership victory.
Celtic travel to play St Mirren at 8pm on Saturday night.
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Liam Scales scores as Celtic hit back to beat St Mirren
LAST UPDATE | 5 Sep
St Mirren 1
Celtic 2
YANG HYUN-JUN SCORED the winner as Celtic came from behind to beat an impressive St Mirren side on Saturday night.
St Mirren were heading for the top of the Premiership when Nikolas Agrafiotis netted from the spot midway through the first half.
Liam Scales conceded the penalty with a handball but made amends when he headed home six minutes after the break.
And Yang finished off a counter-attack midway through the second half after good pressing from Camilo Duran.
The victory in Paisley made it five wins from five league games for the champions and inflicted St Mirren’s first Premiership defeat.
Martin O’Neill’s side were made to work all the way by a Saints side who played with tempo, invention and managed 19 shots at goal.
The breakthrough came when Chris Mochrie let fly for St Mirren with a first-time volley.
Scales initially had his arms behind his back but instinctively threw one up as the shot headed straight for him and the ball struck it. Ryan Lee pointed to the spot and a VAR check confirmed the defender had been in the box. Agrafiotis converted.
The game continued to swing from end to end. Duran forced a good save from Jacob Chapman on the counter-attack and Calvin Ramsay had a shot deflected wide after a lightning quick break from Saints winger Ismael Kabia.
Disallowed
Duran had a goal disallowed for offside after bundling Yang’s deflected effort over the line while Haissem Hassan was causing problems with his pace down Celtic’s right wing.
Chapman kept Saints ahead at the break with a superb flying save to tip Callum McGregor’s bouncing volley over the crossbar.
The visitors penned St Mirren back in the opening stages of the second half. The equaliser came when Scales ran to meet Benjamin Nygren’s near-post corner and steered the ball into the far corner.
The home team were caught out on the break, as Celtic took advantage of a four-against-two situation. Duran won the ball off Ryan Carr just inside Celtic’s half and broke forward before playing in Yang to finish.
Saints responded again. Substitute Luke Thomas scooped a great chance over the bar after a strong run from Young.
Celtic sub Sebastian Tounekti missed a stoppage-time sitter and Shim Mheuka rounded Chapman to net but was flagged offside after a VAR review.
*****
Rangers 1
Motherwell 0
RANGERS STRIKER RYAN Naderi accepted a gift to notch the only goal against Motherwell at Ibrox.
The early substitute dispossessed Alex Paulsen as the Motherwell goalkeeper attempted to dribble the ball past him outside his box.
The German had the simple task of rolling the ball into the net to score what proved to be a 12th-minute winner.
Motherwell dominated possession and created several chances, but Rangers were more effective in the final third and should have added to their lead. Kim Min-su missed a first-half penalty and debutant striker Kevin Kelsy was among those to pass up good opportunities after he came off the bench.
Rangers ultimately saw out the game without any late scares as they recorded a third consecutive Premiership victory.
Celtic travel to play St Mirren at 8pm on Saturday night.
Rangers Scottish Premiership Soccer