St Mirren away is Martin O’Neill’s biggest domestic test so far

In partnership with

The Celtic Star

·21 November 2025

St Mirren away is Martin O’Neill’s biggest domestic test so far

Saturday night is the biggest test domestically for Martin O’Neill and it’s a concern that there’s so little focus on the game of football with three vital points up for grabs…

Martin O’Neill. Celtic v theRangers. Premier Sports Cup, semi final at Hampden. 2 November 2025. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

Tomorrow night sees the return of club football, with a trip to Paisley beckoning for Martin O’Neill and his Celtic players as they look to keep up their terrific domestic form in November.

OneFootball Videos

I would even go as far as to say that it’s the toughest test in a domestic capacity for the interim manager, with his two league games in charge being 4-0 wins over Falkirk, and Kilmarnock, sides you would expect us to beat at Celtic Park, regardless of our managerial situation.

Some will say that theRangers game was a tough test, as it was a cup semi final, as well as a Glasgow derby clash, but for me going to the tight and compact surroundings of St Mirren Park will prove to be much tougher task in my humble opinion.

Daizen Maeda celebrates. St Mirren v Celtic, Scottish Premiership, Saturday 1st March 2025. Photo: Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

A St Mirren side who are doing well this season, a side who are notoriously tough to beat, as they proved on the opening day of the season at Celtic Park. They are coming into this game on the back of a few results that have not gone their way and where weird VAR decisions have not gone their way. Indeed today at his own media conference St Mirren manager Steven Robinson expressed his own opinion that VAR as it currently operates in Scottish football is not proving to be value for money and he would like is crapped completely with the money spent on another couple of players.

The Buddies also happen to be our Premier Sports Cup Final opponents, so they will be even more determined to put down a marker with that in mind. Having sold 10,000 tickets for the final, St Mirren will take great confidence from their impressive semi-final performance a the National stadium against Motherwell.

St Mirren v Celtic, Scottish Premiership, Saturday 1st March 2025. Photo: Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Before we can think too much about that there are plenty of other matches to be negotiated successfully starting on Saturday night under the lights and it’s a game we can all look forward too. Let’s hope the players get the desired result and pile so pressure on Hearts who have a tough match on Sunday up at Pittodrie against Aberdeen.

Last orders for Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter

Celtic in the Eighties and Willie Fernie – Putting on the Style both by David Potter. Photo The Celtic Star

Last remaining copies of Celtic in the Eighties – get your copy now before it’s too late! Here’s what you get…

David Potter’s beautifully produced hardback book, the Celtic Historian final work before his passing. Your copy will also be personally signed by Celtic legend Danny McGrain!
You’ll also receive a complimentary copy of another brilliant David Potter book – Willie Fernie – Putting on the Style.

Order Celtic in the Eighties from Celtic Star Books and we’ll automatically add Putting on the Style. Please note postage will only be charged on one book so there is no cost to you at all for the Willie Fernie biography.

These two books combined will make a brilliant Christmas present!

Danny McGrain signing copies of Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Photo: Celtic Star Books

Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Out now on Celtic Star Books. Order at celticstarbooks.com

Willie Fernie – Putting on the Style. Available at celticstarbooks.com