Celtic remain top with victory over St Mirren

Celtic cemented their position atop the Scottish Premier League with a 2-0 victory over St Mirren on Saturday.

Tony Mowbray’s side kicked off at St Mirren Park two points ahead of reigning champions Rangers and goals from Paddy McCourt and Shaun Maloney ensured they will finish the weekend above their Glasgow title rivals.

McCourt struck before half-time and Maloney’s late goal killed off St Mirren’s stubborn resistance to give Celtic the perfect warm-up ahead of next weekend’s Old Firm derby against Rangers.

St Mirren were still looking for their first League win at their new ground since moving in at the start of the year, although they had defeated Celtic lost here in the Scottish Cup in March.

After a slow start, Celtic sprang to life and took the lead in the 27th minute through a superb effort from McCourt.

McCourt had scored in Celtic’s 4-0 League Cup win at the Falkirk and his confidence was clearly sky-high as he embarked on a solo run.

The Northern Ireland international took possession in midfield, jinked his way past four St Mirren challenges on his way in to the box before rifling an unstoppable angled-shot past Paul Gallacher from 18 yards.

Mowbray’s team were well on top now and Gallacher had to make a decent save from Andreas Hinkel’s drive.

St Mirren finally responded as Billy Mehmet’s shot from the edge of the penalty area took a deflection and flashed narrowly wide.

In the 54th minute, Mowbray sent on Georgios Samaras in place of Chris Killen after the Celtic striker was involved in a touchline row with Saints skipper John Potter.

St Mirren almost snatched an equaliser when Mehmet’s cross-shot through a ruck of players forced Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc to make a scrambling save.

But Maloney put the result beyond doubt in the 78th minute. Scott Brown’s looping cross reached Maloney at the far post and he curled his shot back across goal and past Gallacher with what looked like the aid of a deflection off Scott McDonald, who was in what looked an offside position.