Luke McCowan’s late winner got champions out of jail but bizarre transfer situation only highlighted by opening game slog
18:39, 03 Aug 2025Updated 18:45, 03 Aug 2025
Celtic’s Luke McCowan celebrates scoring to make it 1-0
The Maestro unfurled the Premiership flag but it took a late switch of Luke McCowan’s wand of a left peg to make sure Celtic didn’t hit a bum note on day one.
Club legend Paul McStay started the party before kick-off but St Mirren threatened to silence Celtic Park until the sub struck with just a couple of minutes to go.
Stephen Robinson’s men were at their stubborn best and almost managed a repeat of their draw on Trophy Day back in May.
But – like that day – another late, late show from Celts left the Paisley side gutted.
It was more relief for Celts, who started brightly but quickly went flat after missing some big chances in the opening period.
Adam Idah was guilty of a couple while Benjamin Nygren and Reo Hatate also hit the woodwork either side of half-time – with Saints keeper Shamal George putting up the shutters in between.
Callum McGregor thought he’d found the breakthrough with 20 minutes to go, only for VAR to scrub it after clocking a nick of his arm in the build up.
And there were times when boss Brendan Rodgers’ warnings over a lack of blockbuster signings this summer looked like being on the money.
The Hoops squad looked stretched by the end with Kierany Tierney limping off and Rodgers lacking attacking options on the bench.
But super sub McCowan made a huge impact – keeping his cool to twist and turn before drilling his deflected drive into the bottom corner to ensure a winning start.
Here’s five talking points from Flag Day.
Sign of the times
Rodgers has ben practically begging for new faces – and this only underlined it in bold.
It’s not even up for debate, the Hoops are weaker than they were at the end of last season – and they were weaker then than they weren’t in January.
It’s a bizarre state of affairs to be kicking off the season having not replaced match winners like Kyogo, Nicholas Kuhn and Jota.
Adah Idah is still struggling and Yang just isn’t up to the task as a starter.
The starting line up was strong enough but the lack of action in the window left Rodgers with few options to mix it up when things got a but flat.
They got the job done eventually but no wonder fans are climbing the wall along with their manager – it’s a bizarre state to be in for a club with piles of cash in the bank.
KT right at home
Celtic fans gave their returning hero a heck of a welcome. They saw the quality – and the concerns that come with the defender.
Tierney was outstanding for an hour, rampaging up the left flank and firing over countless crosses that really should have been stuck away.
He was his usual all-action self, steaming into tackles and driving his team up the pitch.
Celtic’s Kieran Tierney was subbed after an hour at Celtic Park
But there are worries about hit durability these days and those fears weren’t helped when Tierney limped off with 25 minutes to go.
Rodgers will be hoping it’s nothing too serious but with big games coming thick and fast, getting the full back fully fit – and keeping him fit – will be absolutely vital, along with signing quality back up.
JSP incoming
Celtic fans are screaming out for signings – as is Brendan Rodgers – but at least one is imminent with Jahmai Simpson-Pusey spotted in the crowd wearing a Celtic tracksuit.
The Man City defender’s season long loan deal has been sorted and he’ll be confirmed in the coming days.
Celtic signing target Jahmai Simpson-Pusey (centre right) watches on
It will be interesting to see the plan for the 19-year-old though. Simpson-Pusey won’t be in town to sit on the bench but will he be back up for Cameron Carter-Vickers or partner him?
It was harsh on Auston Trusty being among the subs after impressing in pre-season, but Scales has rarely let the side down.
Celts look light in other areas but at least they are strong at the centre of defence.
Fitting tributes
There was sad news over the summer for Celtic fans with the loss of two club legends who were part of the greatest day in the club’s history.
Supporters got their chance to pay tribute to Lisbon Lion John Clark and John Fallon, who was the sole sub that famous day in Portugal.
Hoops fans unfurled a huge tifo featuring Clark in his heyday in an emotional moment before kick-off. There was another one for Fallon before the second period and, regardless of what else is going on, there are few clubs in the game who honour their greats like Celtic.
Saints alive
Stephen Robinson pulls more rabbits out of hats than Paul Daniels in his prime and the Saints boss is looking for more magic again this term.
The Northern Irishman has lost key men such as Richard Taylor, Caolon Boyd-Munce, Greg Kiltie and Owen Oseni, yet he constantly manages to plug the holes with similar profiles, with keeper Shamal George a shrew capture.
New boys Jayden Richardson and Richard King slotted in against Celts and while they had hard shifts, they looked like typical Buddies.
It looked every inch a Robbo team again – organised, well drilled, working their socks off to keep Celts at bay while posing the odd problem.
It can’t be easy for Robinson to keep producing season after season and of course there will be some bumpy moments, but you wouldn’t bet against the Paisley men being defying the odds to be in the top six mix again.