SPL - Celtic return to top spot

Eurosport - Sat, 28 Nov 17:00:00 2009

Celtic returned to the top of the Scottish Premier League after a 3-1 win against a determined St Mirren side at Parkhead.

FOOTBALL Celtic's Scott McDonald celebrates his goal with Aiden McGeady - Wednesday February 27 Soccer - Clydesdale Bank Scottish Premier League - Celtic v Inverness Caledonian Thistle - Celtic Park EMPICS - 0

It was Celtic's eighth win of the season and saw them move to the summit with 27 points, two points more than Glasgow rivals Rangers who have a game in hand.

The match exploded into life seven minutes before half-time: Georgios Samaras dinked a ball through for Scott McDonald and the Australian's shot deflected past Paul Gallacher in the St Mirren goal.

It was harsh on the away side, with Gus MacPherson's men convinced they should have had a free-kick before Celtic broke to score.

Things became worse for St Mirren four minutes later, Samaras coolly slotting home after excellent work from Aiden McGeady in the Celtic midfield.

The visitors struck back in first-half injury time, Michael Higdon capitalising on some calamitous defending from Marc Crosas to slam the ball past Lukasz Zaluska and make it 2-1.

Celtic continued to toil after the break but the home side never looked in real trouble. They extended their lead on 61 minutes, McDonald firing home at the near post from a McGeady cross.

McDonald had the chance to add to his tally in the 90th minute after Chris Innes inexplicably handled a Barry Robson corner. Innes was then incorrectly sent off by referee Steve Conroy, who believed he had already booked the St Mirren man.

In somewhat comical scenes, Innes returned to the field after Conroy realised his error.

McDonald's spot-kick was then well saved by Gallacher - but the win was secure and allowed Celtic to overhaul Gers, who had earlier lost 1-0 at Aberdeen.

Tim Burnett / Eurosport

Comment 204 - 223 of 223

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  1. oh th bantir..

    From zzgus f, on Tue 1 Dec 1:04AM

  2. #222 deesydave....must be the same as you then

    From the azzurri, on Mon 30 Nov 2:43PM

  3. look out for JACK TORRANCE AND JAKE....ON THESE­ SITES...THEY ARE A COUPLE OF UPHILL GARDENERS IF YOU­ KNOW WHAT I MEAN!!!!!!

    From deesydave, on Mon 30 Nov 10:10AM

  4. celtic are sewer rats

    From deesydave, on Mon 30 Nov 10:07AM

  5. May I respectfully suggest MGA that perhaps you stop­ drinking?

    From Gods Little Acre, on Sun 29 Nov 11:36PM

  6. There is nothing like the smell of fresh­ POWERRRRRRRRRRRR in the morning

    From kim.date, on Sun 29 Nov 11:11PM

  7. PT219 Just shows you how much you know ya ignorant­ clown

    From Duncan, on Sun 29 Nov 10:42PM

  8. and to think they are all good tims paul..rules out a­ move to ibrox for any of them,you are th people..

    From zzgus f, on Sun 29 Nov 10:18PM

  9. Just watched Barcelona real madrid game. The entire­ world cannot compete with the spanish league, its­ class.

    From Paul G CHAMPIONS, on Sun 29 Nov 8:06PM

  10. remember mattybhoy:

    spectacles, testicles, wallet and­ watch!!!
    Amen

    From green2thebone, on Sun 29 Nov 6:12PM

  11. last of all - matthew what have you done beside­ wakening up and breathing pal??? haha - see all your­ thumbs down - must be setting a trend!!!!!

    take no­ cr*ap fae super mall, come internet polis!!!!

    From green2thebone, on Sun 29 Nov 6:08PM

  12. anyhoo - timalloy, matthew the converted CATHOLIC -­ bless you my son and anybody else who had the decency­ of not being a DCIK!!!!....catch yous later on - away­ to see a man about buying a car!!! - AM SO GONNA GET­ RIPPED OFF!!!! lol -
    take care bhoys n ghirls and
    and­ the gruesome bluesom!!!! haha

    laters

    From green2thebone, on Sun 29 Nov 6:06PM

  13. GREEN2
    I AM AWAY WAS JUST ON FOR A WEE LOOK
    BUT I HAVE­ I NIGHT OUT TONIGHT
    GOING TO WATCH TOMMY (commrad)­ SHERIDAN
    GETTING HIS HAWMAWS BOOTED AFF GEORGE BOWIE
    IN­ THE HILTON SO WILL SPEAK TOMORROW
    HAVE A GOOD EVENING­ GIVING THAT SKINT MOB PELTERS

    HAIL HAIL

    From TIMALLOY, on Sun 29 Nov 6:05PM

  14. good rangers dont deserve to be top too many draws and­ bad performances and that idiot of a manager is doing­ nothing cmon celtic.

    From wendycrossan123, on Sun 29 Nov 6:01PM

  15. well thats what he gets for treating us all like­ kids!!! - who does he think he is. - Both sides are­ sick of him!!!
    he kinda feked off mighty quickly after­ it!!!!

    From green2thebone, on Sun 29 Nov 5:59PM

  16. ."". ."",
    | | / /
    ­ | | / /
    | | / /
    | |/ ;-._
    } `­ _/ / ;
    | /` ) / /
    | / /_/\_/\
    ­ |/ / |
    ( ' \ '- |
    \­ `. /
    | |
    | ­ |
    .............................fek with it!!!

    From green2thebone, on Sun 29 Nov 5:57PM

  17. oi alloy - great sound to it.
    it started of as a quiet­ peacefull sunday morning with banter with someone from­ the otherdise of town. And then, suddenly, a big bad­ man came out of the sewer and i thought to­ myself.........................

    From green2thebone, on Sun 29 Nov 5:57PM

  18. timalloy - read back from #100
    what a hoot!!!!

    hows­ you the day mate?

    From green2thebone, on Sun 29 Nov 5:47PM

  19. green2thbone
    i see you have ben causing trouble AGAIN­
    better watch lysysickdhick disnae GRASS YE

    From TIMALLOY, on Sun 29 Nov 5:46PM

  20. MATTIE BHOY
    HOWS YER @#$%? DID THE BEST MAN PULL YER­
    BRIDESMAID DRESS OVER YER HEID TO BANG YE?
    OR DID HIM­ & THE PREIST LET YOU GET STRIPPED FIRST?

    From TIMALLOY, on Sun 29 Nov 5:44PM
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