Celtic’s Familiar Winning Tricks Once Again Backed by Match Officials, Robinson Claims After Heartbreaking 95th-Minute Defeat for St Mirren in Paisley.

St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson expressed his frustration after his side suffered a dramatic 1-0 defeat to Celtic in Paisley, claiming the officials effectively backed the champions’ “familiar winning tricks” once again. The result, sealed by a stoppage-time strike from Celtic captain Callum McGregor, left the home side stunned and Robinson visibly furious on the touchline.

The decisive moment came deep into four minutes of added time when McGregor collected a partially cleared ball on the edge of the box and fired a precise low shot into the corner. The strike sparked wild celebrations among Celtic supporters while leaving St Mirren players and fans in disbelief.

Robinson Furious Over Officials and Disallowed Goal

Robinson’s anger was not limited to the stoppage-time winner. He also cited a first-half disallowed goal as a pivotal moment, accusing the officials of consistently making decisions that favoured Celtic.

Midway through the opening period, Liam Scales inadvertently sliced a clearance into his own net, only for the assistant referee to flag Conor McMenamin for offside. VAR confirmed the decision within moments, ruling that McMenamin’s movement towards the ball interfered with Scales’ attempt to play it  a correct application of the offside law.

Robinson, however, remained unconvinced:

> “It’s four goals in four matches that have been disallowed. Conor doesn’t touch anyone, he’s not blocking the goalkeeper, and yet the officials back Celtic again. They’ll come up with a phrase to justify it, but we’ve been on the wrong side of key decisions too often this season.”

Pundits Defend Officials

In the Sky Sports studio, analysts swiftly defended the officiating.

Kris Boyd explained:

“As soon as Scales sees McMenamin moving into his eyeline, he reacts. If McMenamin isn’t there, he would simply shield the ball. That’s interference the assistant got it right.”

Chris Sutton added:

“Stephen Robinson is wrong here. McMenamin clearly goes for the ball from an offside position. The laws were applied correctly.”

The situation highlighted the current interpretation of offside: any offside player moving toward the ball or challenging an opponent is considered to interfere with play. VAR’s role was simply to confirm the on-field decision, not overturn it.

A Match Defined by Tension and Late Drama

For much of the match, St Mirren defended with discipline, limiting Celtic to long-range efforts and sporadic attacks. Celtic tested St Mirren goalkeeper Zach Hemming, while the hosts threatened on the break, particularly through Toyosi Olusanya and Conor McMenamin.

As stoppage time approached, Celtic intensified their pressure. St Mirren dropped deeper, but McGregor’s strike in the fifth minute of added time ultimately broke their resistance, snatching victory from a team that had defended bravely.

McGregor: “We Had to Dig Deep”

After the match, McGregor reflected on Celtic’s perseverance:

> “We had to dig ourselves out today. It wasn’t our best performance, but good teams find a way. We stayed patient, kept believing, and it paid off.”

Fan Reaction Mirrors the Controversy

Social media quickly erupted in response to the dramatic ending and Robinson’s comments.

St Mirren fans

> “Four minutes added, goal in the 95th. You couldn’t make it up. We’re fighting the officials as much as the opposition every week.”

> “How do you compete when decisions like that keep happening? Four disallowed goals in four games something isn’t right.”

Celtic fans:

> “We weren’t at our best, but McGregor delivers again. Champions find a way.”

> “Added time is a minimum. Play until the whistle blows. Simple as that.”

Neutral fans

> “McMenamin clearly goes for the ball. It’s offside. Textbook application of the rules.”

A Familiar Pattern for St Mirren

For Robinson, the result was another reminder of the challenges St Mirren face against the Scottish champions. He believes Celtic continue to rely on late-game strategies, often reinforced by key decisions from officials, to secure victories and this match was no exception.

For Celtic, it was another hard-fought win, with McGregor delivering once again when it mattered most. But for St Mirren, it was a night of frustration, controversy, and a painful lesson in the fine margins of top-flight football.