Celtic thump St Mirren as title party looms with fans living in Yang star's paradise – 3 talking points
The Korean winger bagged a brace as Brendan Rodgers' men saw off St Mirren threat to go 16 clear
Emphatic Celtic downed St Mirren 5-2 in a Scottish Premiership classic as they moved 16 points clear and three wins from a 13th title triumph in the past 14 seasons.
News of Rangers' latest hiccup at home to Motherwell provided pre-match entertainment for the travelling fans but there wasn't much time for giggles before super sub Yang's header to make it 3-2 in a pulsating encounter at the SMISA stadium. Jeffrey Schlupp fired Celtic ahead but Declan John's inch-perfect free-kick had the hosts level. It appeared they were heading into half-time level before Ryan Alebiosu needlessly careered into Daizen Maeda. Arne Engels finished with aplomb.
Killian Phillips' ingenious finish had the hosts level, and deservedly so, but Rodgers had depth on the bench which turned the game in his favour. Maeda got in on the act in the final minutes to add gloss on a contest which was anything but easy before Yang bagged a brace.
Toyosi Olusanyi was a constant threat, breaking offside traps and forcing Celtic defender Auston Trusty to keep eyes on him at all times. But the champions were never shy to bare their teeth as 25-goal Daizen Maeda and Arne Engels both misfired from a pair of inch-perfect Schlupp pick outs.
But the Saints were unbowed and the electric Olusanyi had Trusty chasing shadows but the striker's effort was expertly saved by Kasper Schmeichel. The warning wasn't heeded as Alebiosu had the freedom of Paisley to wreak havoc with Schmeichel on hand to scoop up Mark O'Hara's tame effort amid panic in the visitors' backline.
At the other end, Schlupp was then able to broker a half yard and fire in a finish from the tightest of angles. The Crystal Palace loanee is a popular figure among the dressing room and that was evident as he was mobbed by buzzing team-mates after his first strike in Hoops. But the joy for the champions elect was short lived as John's sumptuous lob wedge of a free kick brought the hosts level.
Trusty was off by this point due to a head knock but Olusanya was only getting started as he caused substitute Liam Scales fits with his pace. But it was the champions who led at the break after Alebiosu's ill-timed tackle on Maeda resulted in a spot kick which was expertly converted by Engels - his eighth penalty goal of the season.
St Mirren were anything but downbeat at the start of the second half Alebiosu showing the best of his game with a wicked delivery which forced the Celtic error before Phillips hit into the ground to loop his strike over Schmeichel. Saints were emboldened by that leveller as Mandron forced the Celtic keeper into a save before he hobbled off.
The unlikeliest of sights followed as captain Callum McGregor departed alongside Nicolas Kuhn and Adam Idah as Rodgers turned the game on its head. Newcomers Luke McCowan and Jota brought the thrills while Yang changed the game with his powerful header to turn Reo Hatate's cross home. Yang then scored again but the offside denied him. Maeda, as does now with unnerving accuracy, scored minutes after McCowan had cracked the post with a touch of magic.
And the party continued for the visiting fans as Yang and his newly acquired knack of getting his noggin onto crosses resulted in a second, only a tight offside call denied a hat-trick off the bench. Celtic are racing away from the pack as April 6 away to St Johnstone looms into view as a potential title-clinching day. Here's 3 talking points from Paisley.
Brendan the bold
The Celtic boss isn't known for specialising in own goals but few of his substitutions from memory have had the impact like the Treble impact of messrs Yang, Jota and McCowan. Rodgers isn't one to call upon mitigating circumstances, however, there has been an acceptance from the boss that a unyielding schedule of three games in a week over a sustained period has taken its toll on his players. But even Rodgers must have been surprised by the magic shown by his subs - with the trio jumping out the cannon to take the game away from the Saints. A word for Yang, of course, as his substitute cameos are becoming a weekly occurrence.
Saints' star man is no sinner
The Buddies at their menacing best are no pals to the opposition and their up and at 'em style was on show from the first whistle. Robinson teeters on the edge of his technical area as match day past time as he matched the energy shown by his players.
And star man Olusanyi's brilliance had his manager enthused with his domination of, firstly, Trusty before Scales got the treatment. The 27-year-old is a prized free agent in the summer and in a week where former Motherwell loan standout Mika Biereth made it 10 goals in nine games for Monaco. A good rule of thumb is players who catch the eye in the hustle of the Scottish Premiership may well be a sage investment.
Schlupp and away
On a night when Celtic's all-conquering stars were uncharacteristically jittery, there was no such nerves on display from silky Schlupp. The last-gasp loan arrival on Deadline Day has made a seamless transition to life in Glasgow. The Premier League winner quipped he'd known Rodgers for years after their first meeting and the ex-Ghana international already feels an established star. There is only one problem, of course, Schlupp is a free agent in the summer and Kieran Tierney is coming home. But it would be a remiss of a side who specialise in wise transfer planning not to keep Schlupp around for a while yet.