BREEZY DOES IT
| Published date | 15 April 2024 |
| Publication title | Daily Star (England) |
The Hoops boss had already chucked on five of them and it had supporters scared stiff he was about to commit a boo boo that could end up costing their side points from a game they were coasting.
There was no need to get their knickers in a twist though. Rodgers hadn't lost count. St Mirren lost Elvis Bwomono to a head knock earlier in the encounter and both teams get an extra replacement if there's a concussion sub.
But that split second of terror is where we are at in this title race. This is high stakes and high tension.
At least Rodgers seems to be keeping his cool - along with his squad.
The fact he had six strong options to go on to the pitch was telling as well. Over this season, Rodgers has suffered so many injury woes he'd have needed to draft in half-time windfall winners to make up half a dozen able replacements.
Even at the weekend, Daizen Maeda's absence was a blow. Yet there is no doubt Celtic are looking stronger just when they need all hands on deck.
There were also calm heads on the pitch, even if nerves were jangling off it.
Sherlock Holmes told his wee pal 'patience, my dear Watson', and Celtic and their gaffer needed his deceptive skills to figure out St Mirren on Saturday too.
In fairness, the Hoops support stuck with their side despite concerns at half-time it was going to turn into one of those days where a low block proves too much of a puzzle.
St Mirren set up shop superbly. They had a rigid formation, with bodies behind the ball, and one man up top to race away on the break.
They had the superb Alex Gogic in the thick of it, keeping the hosts at bay and seemingly enjoying himself in the process.
There was some head scratching for 45 minutes when Celts didn't muster a single decent attempt on goal.
But Stephen Robinson's men were undone by the wind-assisted change of ends at the break and the loss of key men to injury, with Scott Tanser and Greg Kiltie joining Bwomono in the treatment room.
Unlike Celtic, St Mirren don't have the luxury of retaining their strength when making up to six changes. The Hoops had the breeze at their backs in the second period but there are also signs the wind is with them in this title race now.
Having toiled against deep defences at times this term, they seem to have now worked out a way to combat it. Patience helps, but so does quality.
Reo Hatate's...
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