Celtic commenced their quest for a record 56th league title on Flag Day at Parkhead with a dramatic and hard-fought victory over a resilient St Mirren side. The champions were pushed to their limit in the opening fixture of the Scottish Premiership season, ultimately securing all three points through a decisive late intervention that ignited wild celebrations among the home support.

The hero of the day emerged in supersub Luke McCowan, whose deflected effort in the dying minutes of the game broke St Mirren hearts and delivered the crucial opening day win. Introduced as part of a triple change, McCowan immediately impacted the match, his strike proving enough to get Celtic’s title defence underway with a vital home triumph.

Earlier in the match, Celtic thought they had broken the deadlock when skipper Callum McGregor found the net, sending Parkhead into raptures. However, a subsequent VAR check meticulously reviewed the build-up, ultimately ruling that McGregor had handled the ball, leading to the goal being controversially disallowed and prolonging the tension.

St Mirren, under Stephen Robinson, displayed a stubborn and disciplined performance, nearly replicating their draw on Trophy Day from May. They created several genuine opportunities, including one instance where a strike smashed against the post from close range. Their goalkeeper, Shamal George, also produced a stunning save just before half-time, denying a new Celtic recruit by pushing his effort onto the woodwork.

The match highlighted the physical demands on the Celtic squad, with Kieran Tierney limping off, suggesting a potential injury concern. Post-match, the manager provided an update on Tierney’s condition and commented on Jahmai Simpson-Pusey’s involvement, emphasizing the ongoing work behind the scenes and the remaining weeks in the transfer window to bolster the squad.

Despite the late frustration for St Mirren, who acknowledged their disappointment but also the high levels shown, the sentiment from the Celtic camp was one of satisfaction. Luke McCowan eloquently summarized his impact, stating the necessity for substitutes to bring energy, assists, or goals, expressing his delight at scoring the winning goal.

The unfurling of the Premiership flag by club legend Paul McStay had set a celebratory tone before kick-off, but St Mirren threatened to silence Celtic Park. It took the late brilliance of McCowan to ensure that the champions did not hit a bum note on day one, avoiding spilling points on Flag Day for the first time since the 2007/08 season.

As the final whistle blew, the crowd erupted once more, affirming Celtic’s successful start to their quest for five-in-a-row with an all-important three points. This hard-fought Celtic victory not only gets their Scottish Premiership title defence up and running but also sets the tone for an exciting season ahead, with the team looking forward to their European fate being decided soon.