Celtic vs St Mirren. Scottish Premiership.
Celtic ParkAttendance58,493.
Match report as Celtic cruise to a 4-0 victory thanks to Kyogo Furuhashi's double; Liel Abada opens the scoring and David Turnbull ends it with a stunning 30-yard piledriver; Celtic remain nine points clear of Rangers at the top of the Scottish Premiership
Thursday 19 January 2023 06:32, UK
Kyogo Furuhashi netted twice along with goals from Liel Abada and David Turnbull as Celtic eased to a 4-0 victory over St Mirren.
Abada opened the scoring in the 15th minute by volleying home ruthlessly from a corner before Furuhashi brilliantly lobbed goalkeeper Trevor Carson.
The striker then bagged his second shortly after half-time with a close-range tap-in to dispel any hopes of a St Mirren comeback.
The visitors, who are the only team to beat Celtic this season, did hit the crossbar through Declan Gallagher, but Turnbull added the gloss for Ange Postecoglou's side late on with a piledriver from 30 yards that found the bottom corner.
Celtic were sent an early warning when Curtis Main poked the ball past Joe Hart, but saw his effort narrowly ruled out for offside.
Just minutes later the hosts took the lead following chaos in the St Mirren area. Carl Starfelt saw his shot at a corner kept out by Trevor Carson with the rebound falling to Yuki Kobayashi, whose follow-up hit the left post before Abada volleyed the third attempt into the top corner.
Celtic controlled the half from there, seeing Furuhashi add a second, perfectly lobbing Carson from close range after latching on to Reo Hatate's defence-splitting pass.
Kyogo made sure any hopes of a St Mirren comeback were dashed within eight minutes of the second half. Jota delivered a pinpoint, low cross which the striker met first time with the VAR awarding the goal after offside was initially given.
The visitors nearly pulled one back when Declan Gallagher's firm header from Ryan Strain's right-wing cross hit the top of the crossbar.
Celtic, though, were denied a fourth when this time the offside flag correctly ruled out James Forrest's tap in from Furuhashi's square pass with the striker offside as he raced in behind to latch on to Jota's pass.
However, there was no denying Turnbull's late stunner as he found the bottom corner from 30 yards with a powerful drive.
Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou had no complaints as Celtic eased to victory to make it 15 games unbeaten in the Scottish Premiership.
"It was a really strong performance. We started the game well, at a good tempo. We had a a grip of the game for the most part and scored some really nice goals.
"When we needed to, we were strong in our box but I thought our football at times was really good.
"I'm pleased with our goals, it's stuff we work on. Kyogo's two goals were outstanding both from a team and individual perspective.
"Some of our football was excellent."
St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson admitted his players were not at the level to cause an upset at Celtic Park.
"For 45 minutes we lacked belief. We didn't really press the way we usually press, with intensity. As a collective, we didn't have enough players at the top of their game. We didn't have that against a very good Celtic side and we got punished.
"The disappointing bit for me is it's two set plays, it's the first set plays we've conceded from all season and you don't associate Celtic with them.
"Overall, there were too many of us who didn't play to the best of their ability against a side that you need to."
The attention now turns to the fourth round of the Scottish Cup this weekend.
Celtic host Scottish Championship side Morton on Saturday at 12.15pm.
St Mirren take on Dundee, will a 3pm kick-off.
