A season that was supposed to deliver Neil Lennon's side to historical new heights has gone from bad to worse, as Celtic succumbed to a 1-2 home defeat to St Mirren.
Celtic began the day some 23 points adrift of rivals Rangers in the Scottish Premiership, albeit with three games in hand. However, that gap hasn't been closed as Celtic fell to their third league defeat of the season.
#CELSTM full-time. pic.twitter.com/H2IAgfKNt5
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) January 30, 2021
It isn't St Mirren's first Old Firm scalp this season, with the Paisley side defeating Rangers 3-2 in the League Cup. That day, former League of Ireland stars Jamie McGrath and Conor McCarthy were the difference for the Saints and today, their opener was created by another League of Ireland alum.
Former Bray Wanderers and Dundalk winger Dylan Connolly setup St Mirren's first goal, with Kris Dennis applying the finish.
Celtic managed to find an equaliser through talisman Odsonne Edouard, but it wasn't long before St Mirren took the lead again.
Shane Duffy was unable to read the danger and Ilkay Durmus stole a march on the Republic of Ireland defender to steer the ball past Scott Bain in the Celtic goal.
It was yet another incident in a catalogue of errors for Duffy since his arrival at Parkhead.
In the second half, Celtic were unable to break down the Saints rearguard. St Mirren's Irish manager Jim Goodwin, once of Celtic himself, had five Irish players on the field at one point in the second half: Jamie McGrath, Conor McCarthy, Dylan Connolly, Jake Doyle-Hayes and captain Joe Shaughnessy.
For St Mirren, the win is the club's first at Parkhead since 1990. For Celtic, it marks a new low in a season of lows.
Neil Lennon's side are sinking without a trace, nowhere near challenging for a historic ten-in-a-row. Lennon has been under pressure all season, with rumours of Rafa Benitez and Eddie Howe taking over at the Hoops ramp up.
After the match, Lennon said that his players didn't show the same desire as their opponents.
"I don't know if there's anxiety or a lack of confidence but there shouldn't be.
We played well on Wednesday but today was baffling in the first half, we had to make changes."
Lennon also said that his side lack intensity and were too passive in defence, concluding that the performance simply "wasn't good enough".
🎙️ On the match reaction from Neil Lennon. #CELSTM pic.twitter.com/nbmD1tigVp
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) January 30, 2021
Either way, it's a season that hasn't gone to plan for Celtic, with today being a new low.
