Celtic come alive to sink St Mirren as Oh strikes but Yang thrills with dazzling cameo – 3 talking points
Conor McMenamin netted the opener but it was a late show from the champions as they landed a vital three points.
Celtic showed their mettle to sink St Mirren as Oh climbed off the bench to grab a late winner and secure a vital 2-1 come from behind win.
Conor McMenamin netted the opener to spark a blame game inside the champions' box, David Turnbull levelled eight minutes later and for long spells it seemed it might not be the champions night until a late winner. But the lethargy which blighted the stalemate against Hibs on Saturday was gone and South Korean striker Oh's goal came amid mounting pressure in the final 10 minutes.
A dangerous cocktail of absent ultras and missing talent hinted towards a challenging night for Celtic. And that inkling became a reality after seven minutes when McMenamin ghosted between Liam Scales and Greg Taylor. Recriminations followed but the Buddies weren't bothered as the Irishman celebrated in style. The complaint during the stalemate against St Johnstone was a lack of verve but that was never on evidence from the champions even before the opener. And their probing paid off when Turnbull curled home a cracker in the 15th minute after a period of sustained pressure.
Game on and it appeared they were primed to race clear when Turnbull's appeal for a handball on Alex Gogic amid a blocked shot proved sage as referee John Beaton was whisked to the monitor by VAR moments later. Turnbull aimed for a second brace of the season but watched his effort crack the post before Luis Palma forced Zach Hemming into an acrobatic save.
The mood music heading into the second half was pinging good vibes but Celtic's dominance to close out the first 45 but St Mirren – emboldened by an unbeaten Premiership away record of two wins and two draws – met the champions up the pitch and created a clutch of half chances with the offside flag their biggest enemy.
James Forrest and Luis Palma were miles off it and the former missed a big chance before they were replaced by Yang and Daizen Maeda. And what a show the South Korean had for the home fans as he appeared every inch the future star with his quick feet breathing new life into the game.
But it was his compatriot who won it as Oh finished off tidy work from Kyogo and Odin Holm as he fired high into the roof of the net. St Mirren were straight back on it at the other end and several Saints were left with their head on their hands as Nat Phillips got his feet in a muddle and his tepid clearance was almost gobbled up by Caolan Boyd-Munce. The game should have been out of sight but Hemming produced a stunning save from Kyogo as his chip was palmed away by the impressive Saints keeper. A tough night but a win for Celtic. Here's 3 talking points from Celtic Park
No Forrest fire
Rodgers dropped a factoid about how Forrest is still turning heads in training and his raw speed is right up there with Maeda. But the success stories behind Lennoxtown closed doors have the feel of sparring stories about former boxing champions hell-bent on reliving former glories. But the man who breathed new life into his career the first time the Irishman was in situ appears unable find his best this time around. His only chance was the stabbed effort he prodded straight at Hemming.
Rob the real deal
The St Mirren boss had a spell as Morecambe boss sandwiched between his impressive work at Motherwell and St Mirren. And you get the feeling if, and Buddies diehards will be hoping not when, he moves on it will be with a side on a different level from the The Shrimps. Ange Postecoglou didn't give much away but he could never hide how impressed he was with Robinson's ability to meet his side high up the pitch and disturb their flow. And that same game attitude was plastered all over their second half showing. You need a mix of ability coupled with bravery even if it didn't pay off in the end.
Yang ignites
His dazzling feet were on display against Aberdeen in August when he weaved through traffic to tee up O'Riley. But his skills were more pronounced during his action-packed efforts after he replaced Palma. The Honduran looked leggy while Yang was sprightly and was unlucky his two curling efforts didn't find the net. In a post-Jota world the wingers to replace him appear to be struggling to fill the gap but this was a cameo of substance.