Champions sink Saints as Santa joins in Trophy Day celebrations | OneFootball

Scottish PremiershipSaturday, May 18, 2024Celtic Park, St Mirren

CELTIC...3(O'Riley 21, Kyogo 37, Palma 86)ST MIRREN...2(O'Hara 7 & 24)

It was a Trophy Day to remember at Paradise as Celtic signed off another title-winning campaign with a 3-2 victory over St Mirren.

There were emotional scenes as supporters paid tribute to Joe Hart on his last appearance at Celtic Park, Santa Claus made a special appearance on the pitch to bring on the trophy, and Brendan Rodgers' side lifted the silverware on a day when the sun shone on the Celts.

In terms of the 90 minutes, Celtic started the game well and Stephen Welsh went close early on with a header from a corner.

But it was the visitors who took the lead in the seventh minute. A long throw into the box from Keanu Baccus ricocheted around the penalty area before falling to Mark O’Hara, who found the back of the net with a decent strike.

Just over 10 minutes later, Celtic were level. Matt O’Riley found Kyogo in the box, and although the Japanese forward was unable to bring the ball under control, it broke to O'Riley who thrashed it into the net.

A few moments later, the scoreline swung in favour of the visitors once more, with O’Hara getting his name on the scoresheet again, this time from the penalty spot after Welsh was penalised for fouling Toyosi Olusanya in the box.

With 34 minutes on the clock, the Hoops struck back with an excellent goal to equalise for the second time.

Reo Hatate and Kyogo linked up well on the right, with Hatate breaking free down the wing before whipping a ball across the front post where Kyogo was waiting to knock it home.

The Celts had a chance to take the lead almost immediately, but this time a cross from Kyogo was headed just wide by Luis Palma.

The 60,000 Celtic fans packed in to Paradise sang Joe Hart’s name as he left the pitch at half-time and as he re-emerged for the second half, he was greeted by a banner displaying his likeness and the words ‘SUPER JOE HART’, a tribute which clearly moved the Englishman.

There were fewer opportunities in the second-half, although Maik Nawrocki came up with a great last-ditch challenge to deny Olusanya a goalscoring opportunity to keep the game level.

With just under five minutes to go, the Celts took the lead for the first time in the game.

A cute back-heel from Matt O’Riley gave Anthony Ralston the chance to get a cross in to the box, and his ball to the back post was slotted home by Luis Palma.

Joe Hart came off with moments of the match to go, which was an invitation for Paradise to pay tribute to the Celtic No. 1 for the last time.

The incredible standing ovation that he received was a testament to the impact that Hart has made in his three years at the club.

When the full-time whistle went, anticipation grew in the stadium as supporters awaited the arrival of the league trophy, and the silverware was brought out by Santa Claus himself. This time, he received the reception at Paradise that he deserves… if you know, you know.

And with that, the 2023/24 Scottish Premiership season is over and it ends in the way that it so often does.

For the 12th time in 13 years, for the 54th time in Celtic’s history and for the third consecutive season – Celtic are Champions, again.