After breaking for cup fixtures at the weekend, the Scottish Premier League title race has resumed with both Celtic and Rangers in action tonight. The most interesting Scottish title race in recent memory has the Old Firm rivals separated only by goal difference at the top of the table heading into tonight's games, with Steven Gerrard's Rangers away at Kilmarnock while Brendan Rodgers' Celts host St.Mirren.
Having just bolstered their attacking options during the transfer window with three new signings, Celtic are already reaping the rewards with on-loan striker Timothy Weah getting off the mark in the cup against Airdrie over the weekend. The good starts continued tonight as winger Oliver Burke opened his account with a header after just 11 minutes of his league debut for the club.
Celtic extended their lead in the first half through a Scott Sinclair penalty. Early in the second half, Burke doubled his tally to make it 3-0, pouncing on a loose ball in the box after Forrest and McGregor had seen their efforts parried by the St. Mirren keeper.
Burke had come in for criticism from some Celtic fans for his debut performance in the cup against Airdrie, something which former Celtic striker Chris Sutton felt had been caused by the manager opting to play him up front, instead of his more natural position on the wing. Speaking on BT Sport's Facebook Live Sutton was quick to defend the young Scot.
I actually thought Brendan hung Oliver Burke out to dry a bit at the weekend, playing him centrally. You go back a few seasons, he was supposed to be the next big thing. He hasn't played there (as a striker) regularly.......There was criticism from Celtic fans about his performance, I think that's very unfair. He's not in his preferred position.
21-year-old Burke will hope that the move to Celtic can get his career back on track, having so far failed to deliver on the potential that has led to him breaking the transfer fee record for a Scottish player twice as a teenager, with a £13 million move to RB Leipzig being followed by a £15 million move to West Brom.
Neither move worked out for the youngster but Celtic fans will be hopeful that he can come of age under Brendan Rodgers and a couple of goals on his league debut could be the best way to get his critics back on side.
TFW you open your #CelticFC account! 😵
👏 @OliverBurke55 pic.twitter.com/J82GMBZ4vh— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) January 23, 2019
