CELTIC 1 ST MIRREN 0 A STROKE OF LUKE

Champions Celtic far from their best as they need deflected McCowan goal three minutes from time to see off Buddies

- BY GAVIN MCCAFFERTY

LUKE MCCOWAN'S deflected strike earned Celtic a 1-0 victory in their William Hill Premiership opener after St Mirren had frustrated the champions for 87 minutes at Parkhead.

The substitute collected Daizen Maeda's square pass on the edge of a crowded penalty box and fired a shot which appeared to spin off Mark O'Hara's leg and nestle into the bottom corner of the net.

Celtic had earlier hit the frame of the goal through Benjamin Nygren, Reo Hatate and Adam Idah, while Callum McGregor had a goal disallowed following a VAR intervention.

The Hoops were not at their free-flowing best but they ended the first weekend of the season two points ahead of Rangers, just like last season, when they remained above their rivals throughout the campaign.

Former Celtic captain Paul McStay performed the duties as the home side unfurled the league flag for the 13th time in 14 years and fourth season in succession.

And fans sang "Here we go, 10 in a row" as the game drew to a close.