“That’s the difference in levels, we got punished at their first real opportunity,” Stephen Robinson

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The Celtic Star

·6 Januari 2025

“That’s the difference in levels, we got punished at their first real opportunity,” Stephen Robinson

Stephen Robinson vented his frustration at individual errors as Celtic dispatched St Mirren 3-0 yesterday afternoon…

Stephen Robinson, Head Coach of St. Mirren, reacts during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and St. Mirren at Celtic Park on January 05, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

It was always going to prove to be a difficult test for the visitors at Celtic Park who have now lost three Scottish Premiership matches on the trot since their 2-1 victory over theRangers on Boxing Day.

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Nicolas Kuhn celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s third goal during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and St. Mirren at Celtic Park on January 05, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Courtesy of Nicolas Kuhn’s double and Auston Trusty’s first-half header, Celtic extended their lead at the top of the table to 13 points following theRangers dropping yet more points on the road, this time to Hibs at Easter Road in a thrilling 3-3 draw.

Lapses of concentration

Lapses of concentration, in particularly from returning arrival Zach Hemming, who made a second debut for the Buddies – signing from Middlesbrough on loan after the departure of Ellery Balcombe back to Brentford – in the St Mirren goal made it a sore afternoon for Stephen Robinson’s men who dropped to sixth in the table.

It is now seven wins in a row against St Mirren for Celtic, the first time the three-in-a-row Scottish champions have achieved this fate since 2017.

Thrown in at the deep end

Auston Trusty scores the second goal during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and St. Mirren at Celtic Park on January 05, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Speaking post-match, the Stephen Robinson said: “We had to throw Zach [Hemming] in at the deep end today with Brentford calling Ellery back. He’s not played for months and we’re very confident in his signing. We know he’ll get better and better with games.

“It was my decision. I had to throw him in and make that decision. We didn’t lose the game because of Zach. It was a mix-up in the box for the last one, which happens. It’s never one person’s fault. I’m confident in Zach as a signing and as a boy. I think we’ll get our rewards from that as the season progresses.

“The boys to an extent did what we asked them to do. Our shape was very good, and we pressed well. When we landed on the ball we tried to get in behind them and we did on a few occasions.

‘We got punished’

Auston Trusty celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the William Hill Premiership match between Celtic FC and St. Mirren FC at Celtic Park on January 05, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“We got punished. That’s the difference in levels, we got punished at their first real opportunity. It was a great finish. The second is the really disappointing one. We were right in the game at the end of the first half and lost one when it’s very controllable.”

“Then it’s an individual error and a mix-up in the box for the third. We got punished by a very good side.

“I’ve been here many times and been destroyed and it’s been chance after chance and the keeper’s making 20 saves in each half. It wasn’t the case today. Our structure and work ethic was very good. We had half chances at the end, the boys kept fighting hard.

A very up and down period. 3 wins and 3 losses

Stephen Robinson, Head Coach of St. Mirren, reacts prior to the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and St. Mirren at Celtic Park on January 05, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“We now have to reset, and it’s been a very up and down period. 3 wins and 3 losses. With the league the way it is, we need the points to stay in this division. Football is up and down. We’re never going to win every game. Individual errors have cost us, and we need to take that out of our game.”

Conor Spence

General view as the power goes out during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and St. Mirren at Celtic Park on January 05, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)