It wasn't pretty, but it was perfect. Celtic Football Club scraped past St Mirren Football Club 1-0 on a damp Saturday night in Paisley, thanks to a last-gasp strike from Calum McGregor that sent the visiting fans into delirium — and left the home crowd stunned into silence. The goal came in the 93rd minute at St Mirren Park, sealing a vital three points in the 2025-26 Scottish Premiership season — a win that kept Celtic’s title hopes alive, even if barely.
One Goal, One Moment, One Night
The match had all the hallmarks of a grind: muddy pitches, tight marking, and a referee who seemed determined to keep the whistle in his pocket. St Mirren, fighting to climb out of the relegation zone, started with grit. In the 8th minute, a scrambled cross from the left found its way into the net — but the goal was immediately waved off. Video review confirmed what the linesman had flagged: Conor McMenamin, offside by a fraction, had distracted Celtic’s goalkeeper during the build-up. The decision split opinion. St Mirren’s manager called it "harsh," while Celtic’s coach simply said, "We’ll take it." From there, Celtic took control. Possession? 72.7% to 27.3%. Pass accuracy? 88% versus St Mirren’s 67%. But dominance didn’t equal goals. Celtic Football Club had 16 shots — five on target — but St Mirren’s keeper, Callum Fordyce, stood tall. His save on a curling effort from Kyogo Furuhashi in the 67th minute was the best of the night.McGregor’s Moment
Then, in stoppage time, everything changed. A long ball from the back found Calum McGregor drifting wide right. He cut inside, two defenders closed in — and he didn’t flinch. A first-time, left-footed curler, low and hard, kissed the post before nestling into the net. The stadium held its breath. The referee blew. Goal. Celtic players poured onto the pitch. The away end erupted. It was McGregor’s third goal of the season — and by far the most important."I’ve scored plenty in training," McGregor said afterward, still breathing hard. "But this one? This one feels like it keeps us in the race. We knew we had to win. No excuses." The goal wasn’t just a result — it was a statement. With Heart of Midlothian Football Club sitting atop the table with 30 points, Celtic now sit seven behind, but crucially, they’ve played one fewer game. And with Rangers and Hibernian tied on 21 points, the gap between second and fifth is just four points. This wasn’t just three points — it was oxygen.
Who’s Really in the Race?
The Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL), headquartered in Glasgow, oversees 42 clubs across four divisions. But the real drama? It’s in the top tier. Twelve teams. One trophy. And this season, it’s a three-horse race — with Heart of Midlothian leading, Celtic chasing, and Rangers and Hibernian just behind, all breathing down each other’s necks.St Mirren? They’re adrift. Ninth place. Two wins. Five losses. Their only real hope now is survival — and even that feels like a stretch. They’ve conceded 20 goals in 11 games. Their defense has been leaky. Their attack, sporadic. And without a win in their last five matches, the pressure is mounting on manager Jim Goodwin.
Meanwhile, Celtic’s midfield — once criticized for being too slow — has found rhythm. McGregor, 24, has become the quiet engine of the team. He doesn’t flashy. Doesn’t celebrate wildly. But he’s the one who keeps the ball moving, who tracks back, who steps up when it matters. He’s not a star name like Kyogo or Jota — but right now, he’s the difference-maker.
What Happens Next?
Celtic’s next fixture? A home game against Dundee United Football Club on December 1. A win there, and they’ll be within four points of the top. A draw? The pressure intensifies. A loss? The title race could slip away before Christmas.For St Mirren, it’s all about survival. Their next match? A trip to Aberdeen Football Club — a place where they haven’t won since 2018. They need points. Now. And they need belief.
Behind the Scenes
The SPFL published match highlights on Sunday, November 23, 2025, at 00:05:09 UTC. Sky Sports released theirs just hours after the final whistle — at 22:39 UK time on Saturday. But the most telling footage? Celtic’s official YouTube channel dropped exclusive angles — close-ups of McGregor’s strike, the keeper’s reaction, the crowd’s collapse — at 00:00:57 UTC on Sunday. It’s clear who’s thinking ahead. Who’s building the narrative. Who’s treating this like a title run.And make no mistake — Celtic are. They’ve lost only twice all season. They’ve won seven of their last eight. And with McGregor stepping up, they’ve found a new kind of grit. It’s not the glamour of past eras. It’s something quieter. More stubborn. More real.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Calum McGregor’s goal impact Celtic’s title chances?
McGregor’s injury-time winner kept Celtic in second place with 23 points from 11 games — just seven points behind leaders Heart of Midlothian, who’ve played 12 matches. With a game in hand, Celtic can close the gap quickly. A win in their next match against Dundee United could cut the deficit to four points, making the title race far more competitive before the winter break.
Why was St Mirren’s early goal disallowed?
The goal was ruled out after VAR confirmed that Conor McMenamin was in an offside position and had interfered with the goalkeeper’s ability to make a save. Even though the ball went in off a Celtic defender, the offside infringement by McMenamin nullified the goal under Law 11 of the IFAB rules — a decision that sparked debate but was ultimately correct.
What’s the current state of the Scottish Premiership table?
Heart of Midlothian lead with 30 points from 12 games, followed by Celtic (23 from 11), then Hibernian and Rangers tied on 21 points each. Falkirk sit fifth with 19, and Motherwell sixth with 18. St Mirren and Kilmarnock are tied for ninth with 10 points, while Livingston sit last with just 8. Only four points separate second from fifth — meaning the title race remains wide open.
How does Celtic’s possession stats compare to their goal output?
Celtic dominated possession at 72.7% and had a higher pass accuracy (88%) than St Mirren (67%), yet they only managed 16 shots to St Mirren’s 13. This highlights a recurring issue: creating chances isn’t the problem — finishing them is. They’ve scored just 21 goals in 11 games — a lower rate than last season — suggesting their attack needs sharper execution, not more control.
Who is responsible for broadcasting the Scottish Premiership highlights?
The SPFL releases official highlights on its YouTube channel, while Sky Sports holds exclusive UK broadcast rights and releases its own packages within hours of matches. Celtic FC also publishes exclusive footage — including player interviews and behind-the-scenes content — on its own channel, directing fans to Celtic TV for full-match replays and premium content.
What does this result mean for St Mirren’s survival hopes?
St Mirren now sit just one point above Dundee United in 11th place, with a goal difference of -7. They’ve won only two of their last 11 matches and have conceded 20 goals. With tough fixtures against Aberdeen and Motherwell coming up, their survival chances now depend on winning at least three of their final six games — a tall order without defensive improvements.
