St Mirren Boss Accuses Celtic Players of Disrespect and Reveals Why He Snubbed Three Handshakes After Extra-Time 6–2 Humiliation..Celtic Fans Call His Reasons ‘Silly’

A dramatic and emotionally charged night involving St Mirren FC and Celtic FC ended in controversy after a match that finished 2–2 in normal time before Celtic pulled away in extra time to secure a convincing 6–2 victory.

But despite the extra-time collapse from St Mirren, the biggest talking point after the final whistle was not the scoreline  it was the post-match reaction of the St Mirren manager, who accused Celtic players of “disrespect” and explained why he refused to shake hands with three of them, sparking a heated debate across Scottish football.

Dramatic Match Turns After 90-Minute Deadlock

The game itself was a story of two contrasting phases. After 90 minutes, both sides were locked at 2–2 in a fiercely competitive contest. St Mirren had managed to stay organised and disciplined for long spells, frustrating Celtic FC and matching them in key moments.

Celtic, however, always carried a greater attacking threat and eventually began to wear their opponents down as the match wore on. The turning point came in extra time, where St Mirren’s defensive structure began to collapse under sustained pressure.

What had been a tightly contested game suddenly shifted into a one-sided affair. Celtic took control of the additional period completely, scoring multiple goals and stretching the final scoreline to 6–2 in a result that reflected their dominance once the match opened up.

Yet, the footballing narrative was quickly overtaken by controversy.

Handshake Line Sparks Immediate Attention

At the end of extra time, players lined up for the traditional handshake. It is usually a routine moment of sportsmanship regardless of the scoreline, but this time it became the centre of attention.

The St Mirren manager was seen shaking hands with several Celtic players but deliberately bypassed three individuals before heading down the tunnel. The moment was captured on camera and quickly circulated online, sparking debate among fans and pundits.

Within minutes, the focus of the night shifted away from Celtic’s extra-time dominance and toward the manager’s visible frustration.

Speaking after the match, he confirmed the decision was intentional and linked directly to events he felt occurred during the game.

Manager Claims ‘Disrespect’ After Key Moments

The St Mirren boss insisted his reaction was not spontaneous, but based on what he described as unacceptable behaviour during the later stages of the match — particularly after Celtic’s goals in extra time began to pile up.

🗣️ “There are standards in football, and I didn’t feel those standards were respected tonight,” he said.

🗣️ “It wasn’t just about the result. It was about what I saw during the game certain reactions and behaviour I didn’t agree with.”

He specifically pointed to celebrations following goals in extra time, claiming that some Celtic players celebrated in a manner he felt was unnecessary given the context of the match.

🗣️ “After certain goals, there were reactions towards our bench and supporters that I didn’t think were appropriate,” he added.

🗣️ “That’s what led to my decision afterwards.”

Why Three Players Were Singled Out

The manager also explained why only three players were involved in his handshake snub, rather than the entire team.

🗣️ “Most of their players were fine. I had no issue with them at all,” he said.

🗣️ “But there were a few individuals I felt were involved in those moments I didn’t like. That’s why I made that choice.”

While he did not go into specific incidents in detail, he suggested that the players he avoided were linked to celebrations he interpreted as provocative after Celtic extended their lead in extra time.

🗣️ “It’s about respect. If I feel that line is crossed, I won’t ignore it.”

The refusal to shake hands with those individuals immediately became the most discussed moment of the post-match fallout.

Celtic’s Extra-Time Dominance Seals Victory

Despite the controversy, Celtic’s performance in extra time was the defining footballing factor of the night. After a balanced 2–2 draw across 90 minutes, the visitors completely shifted gears in the additional period.

St Mirren struggled physically and mentally as Celtic increased their tempo, pressed higher, and exploited gaps that appeared as fatigue set in. The result was a series of unanswered goals that transformed a competitive contest into a heavy defeat.

While the scoreline ultimately reflected Celtic’s superiority over 120 minutes, it also highlighted how quickly momentum can change in extra-time football.

Celtic Fans React Strongly Online

Supporters of Celtic FC were quick to respond to the manager’s post-match comments, with many dismissing his explanation as an emotional reaction to a heavy defeat.

🗣️ “If you lose 6–2 after extra time, the issue isn’t celebrations,” one fan wrote.

🗣️ “Players are allowed to celebrate goals it’s football,” another said.

🗣️ “Sounds like frustration more than disrespect,” a third commented.

Others argued that focusing on post-goal celebrations after conceding four extra-time goals appeared to shift attention away from defensive issues.

The phrase “silly reasons” quickly circulated among fans online, reflecting a belief that the justification did not match the scale of the defeat.

 

The incident has sparked wider discussion in Scottish football about where the line lies between passion and disrespect. Goal celebrations especially in high-scoring or knockout-style matches are often seen differently depending on context.

Some believe that excessive celebration in front of opposition benches can be provocative, particularly in emotionally charged fixtures. Others argue that celebrating goals is a natural expression of football and should not be restricted.

Football analysts noted that heavy extra-time defeats often amplify emotional reactions from managers, especially when a match is competitive for 90 minutes before collapsing late on

The lack of an official statement has left the narrative largely shaped by the St Mirren manager’s comments and fan reactions.

 

Despite the controversy, both teams now turn their attention to upcoming fixtures. St Mirren will be focused on recovering from a physically and emotionally draining extra-time defeat, while Celtic continue their strong form after another emphatic attacking performance.

However, the handshake snub and accusations of disrespect are expected to remain a talking point in the days ahead, particularly given the dramatic shift from a 2–2 draw to a 6–2 extra-time result.

For now, the match will be remembered not only for Celtic’s late dominance, but also for the post-match storm that followed  turning a thrilling extra-time encounter into one of the most controversial talking points of the fixture.