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By David Sharp
1430: Two opposing views there (see below) of the controversial match-winning moment. Like Falkirk against Rangers yesterday, St Mirren put on a great show, but the Old Firm possess the uncanny ability to summon up just enough from their, seemingly bottomless, reserves of resilience and eke out a victory. It must be awful frustrating for all the other teams.
So, the Scottish Champions are off and running as they attempt to make it four SPL titles on the bounce. But there's a long, long way to go...and, going by recent seasons, this title race should have more twists and turns than classic mind-bending thriller The Parallax View.
That's all folks! Thanks for your company this afternoon. Bye for now.
1429: "I didn't think in any way, shape or form it was a penalty. And the sending off was ridiculous. St Mirren suffered dearly for it. I thought they played really well." Chick Young, BBC Radio Scotland pundit
1428: "It was a penalty and I am a neutral fan. Hesselink was holding him initially but when Haining went around the back of Hesselink he pulled him around and put the striker off the finish." Wightd91 on 606 Join the debate on 606
1427: "That wasn't a great game but I don't think Celtic were as bad as the commentators said. Scott Brown was MOTM for me" MaybesAyeMaybesNo on 606 Join the debate on 606
1426: The Sportsound boys have praised the tireless running of Billy Mehmet. The St Mirren striker is their star performer today. Who do you think deserves the plaudits? You've plumped for Celtic stopper Artur Boruc on our Player Rater. Keep the votes coming in below:
1425: FINAL SCORE: Celtic 1-0 St Mirren. The whistle blows and Celtic collect all three points. A stuffy affair. But at this early stage of proceedings the result is all that matters.
1421: St Mirren are playing 3-3-3. They have virtually every player in Celtic's half." Murdo MacLeod, BBC Radio Scotland pundit
1420: Three minutes to go. Celtic have their first corner of the second half. Great driving run from Caddis.
1419: "Mr Sharp. Your matchday thread is, frankly, poor. You blatantly know nowt about Scottish football and you're just using it as an easy excuse for a laugh at our expense." Jonah Takalua ***CFC Matchday Man*** on 606 Join the debate on 606
That's a wee bit unfair Jonah, you've hurt my feelings there! But, hey, whatever, you're entitled to your opinion...
1416: McAusland goes close for Saints.
1414: Dennis Wyness has come on for Stephen O'Donnell. It's a straight striking swap. Gus MacPherson's side have nothing to lose (apart from the game!). With six minutes left they have to go for it.
1410: "Haining grabbed Hesselink's shirt and ran to the right knocking him off balance. Fair penalty, harsh on the sending off. " Kris_Void_Of_Brains on 606 Join the debate on 606
1408: "I've seen Samaras in pre-season, and he looks leaner, sharper and fitter" Mark McGhee, BBC Radio Scotland pundit
The swashbuckling Greek international striker looks like he could be the guitarist with indie rock-gods Kasabian.
1407: And Samaras replaces McDonald. A fairly anonymous show from Skippy. He gave the ball away far too often.
1403: Lee Naylor limps off like a drunken sailor - the unfortunate full-back has jiggered himself. Mark Wilson bounds onto the pitch like an excitable puppy to take his place.
1400: It will be tough for St Mirren to fight their way back into this game now.
1357: That was a bit harsh on Haining. Both players were grappling with each other but Vennegoor of Hesselink was 'cute' and went down like a ton of bricks when his toepoke trundled past the post. Saints shot themselves in the foot in the first instance with shoddy defending.
1355: At the other end O'Donnell's snap volley is clawed away by Boruc.
1353: GOAL Celtic 1-0 St Mirren Mark Howard saves Barry Robson's spot kick but the ball somehow squeezes past him and falls over the line. The ball struck Howard's leg and spun wildly in the air before it birled over the line. Cruel for St Mirren. One-nil down and reduced to ten men.
1352:PENALTY for Celtic! Haining is alleged to have hauled down Vennegoor of Hesselink as the big Dutchman shaped to poke the ball past Howard. To add insult to injury for St Mirren, Haining is red-carded.
1351: Paul Caddis is preparing to come on for Celtic. But who will the youngster replace?
1349: McDonald leaps above Will Haining to meet McGeady's floated cross but his weak header is held easily by Howard.
1345: Here's a wee stat for you: it's 19 years since St Mirren last won at Celtic Park. That was way back in season 1989/90. The score was 3-1. I don't think we're going to get four goals today. Neither side looks like breaking the deadlock at the moment.
1342: "Scott Brown has looked terrific and looked the player he was with Hibs. We know he had a real tragic situation that only came out later last season, but he is looking more like his old self." Chick Young, BBC Radio Scotland pundit.
1341: Samaras is warming up on the touchline. The big Greek is an impact player. Can he make an impact here today? Celtic are crying out for some inspiration to break down Saints' stubborn resistance.
1339: Mehmet smacks a side-footed shot off Boruc's left-hand post! Lovely dummy from Mehmet who gets the ball back from O'Donnell and curls it beyond the outstretched fingertips of Boruc. But the upright comes to the Pole's rescue. Unlucky Saints. A close shave for Celtic there.
1337: Here we go again! Ref Eddie Smith toots his whistle to signal the start of the second half.
1330: No word of any half-time substitutions from either manager. If things continue to stay as they are perhaps wee Gordy will throw Georgios Samaras into the fray? How do you all reckon the second half will pan out? Join the debate on 606
1325: Parkhead is bathed in glorious sunshine today. What a bizarre summer we're having. Tropical rain yesterday, Meditteranean sun today. It's hard to know what to wear on a daily basis. In fact, it's so changeable it's a puzzle to know what clothing to don on an hourly basis...
1322: "Celtic's slow build-up allows St Mirren to get back into their shape. Celtic need a bit more urgency to force them out of that shape." Mark McGhee, BBC Radio Scotland pundit
Mark's dead right there. Celtic must speed up their passing. Zip is what's missing. They need to be more zippy.
1320: That's it for the opening 45 minutes. No goals. Well done St Mirren. They successfully stifled Celtic's creative elements and refused to be intimidated by the muscle of Jan Venegoor of Hesselink.
1315: Caldwell and McManus get their knickers in a twist on the edge of the Celtic box and Billy Mehmet almost profits from their Laurel and Hardy impression. But the ball won't fall for the Saints striker and it's scrambled clear.
1311: Not much happening here. It's all gone a tad flat. The normally effervescent Aiden McGeady is uncharacteristically quiet.
1309: "Of course Celtic can score at any time but so far so good from a St Mirren point of view." Mark McGhee, the Motherwell boss is a BBC Radio Scotland pundit today
Not quite sure I agree with that assessment Mark. Apart from a few solid punches from corners, Saints keeper Mark Howard has precious little to do. Celtic have the lions' share of possession, but they are bereft of imagination when they reach the last third.
1306: Robson has delivered several trademark viciously-curling corner kicks in the last few minutes as Celtic turn up the heat on Saints. But the Paisley men are standing firm.
1303: "It's strange that Scott McDonald has changed his squad number this season. Superstitious goal-scorers don't usually do that!" Murdo MacLeod, BBC Radio Scotland pundit
Well spotted Murdo. Footballers are notoriously superstitious, especially strikers. Will this jinx the diminutive Ausssie? Skippy bagged 25 league goals last season. An impressive total. Can he do it again or will he suffer from the striker's equivalent of second-album syndrome?
1301: Andreas Hinkel whips in a dangerous cross from the right and Scott McDonald rises to meet the ball but his header loops over Howard's bar. Better play from Celtic.
1258: Celtic need to stretch the game, use the wide expanse of the Celtic Park pitch. Everything is going down the middle and St Mirren are mopping it up with some ease.
1257: "Once again Barry Robson gets away with a lingering elbow!' C'mon Saints, don't let them bully you!" Edinbur-GER on 606 Join the debate on 606
1256: Overzealous challenge from Barry Robson on Franco Miranda. I'm being kind to Bazza there - he led with his elbow. The Argentine curls the resulting free-kick into the Celtic box but it comes to hee haw.
1254: Intricate passing from Celtic on the edge of the Saints box but a wall of red bodies (St Mirren are spoerting their away strip today) snuffs out the danger.
1251: More chat about Crosas. Apparently Celtic expect to confirm today that the 20-year-old defensive midfielder has signed a four-year contract. Intriguing stuff.
1248: We're having some technical problems at the moment regarding text messages. I can't seem to get access to read your comments. Bear with us and we'll get it back up and running asap.
1245: St Mirren are playing a high-line of defence, pressing Celtic back into their own half and not allowing the home side the space to probe. It's working a treat so far. But how long can they keep up such a risky strategy? Chapeau to Gus MacPherson's side for being so positive.
1244: Celtic are enjoying some nice possession, with Robson, Hartley and Brown spraying tha ball about with some poise. No penetration yet though.
1241: "I would very much like a St Mirren victory today...I very much doubt it though! C'mon the Buddies!!! " Carlsberg don't do witty 606 nicknames but if they did...on 606 Join the debate on 606
1239: Let's get some hinged (is that a word?) and unhinged chat going as all the action unfolds at Celtic Park: text me on 80295 and get involved via 606. There was some top-drawer chat for yesterday's big kick off, I'm expecting the same today. Join the debate on 606
1237: Excellent start from the Buddies, showing no fears of taking the game to their illustrious opponents.
1235: Early save from Artur Boruc. Great play from Gary Brady on the right wing. He feints inside and lets loose a terrific left-foot strike. Boruc reacts smartly to smother the ball at his near post.
1234: And we're off!
1227: TEAM NEWS: Celtic v St Mirren
Celtic have a familiar look about them. Scott McDonald partners Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink in attack.
McManus is back in the heart of the defence alongside Gary Caldwell after recovering from a groin injury.
With regular midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura out, also with a groin injury, the champions' engine room consists of Scott Brown, Barry Robson, Paul Hartley and Aiden McGeady.
St Mirren boss Gus MacPherson hands debuts to Jack Ross and Tom Brighton as Billy Mehmet was asked to perform a lone striker's role.
1225: And now for the unfurling of the Championship flag. Skipper Stephen McManus raises the SPL trophy aloft to great cheers from the Celtic faithful. Chairman John Reid comperes the presentation and introduces Tommy Burns' widow, Rosemary, who then raises the flag in celebration of Celtic's dramatic three-in-a-row success.
Prior to this the gathered hordes were treated to a video of the late Tommy, who died tragically young from skin cancer in May, serenading them with his infamous version of 'Mac the Knife'. It's a poignant moment.
1224: Talking of young Crosas - he has just been paraded on the pitch at Celtic Park bedecked in green and white bunting. Does this mean he's signed? I guess he must have. It's all a tad confusing!
1224: Can Gordon Strachan become the first Celtic manager since Jock Stein to lead his side to four league titles in a row?
The wee man has only added bargain-basement winger Pat McCourt to his squad so far, with Barcelona midfielder Marc Crosas close to joining the Northern Irishman - but are Celtic still stronger man-for-man than Rangers? Their Glasgow rivals huffed and puffed to victory over Falkirk yesterday.
1222: The dust has barely settled on yesterday's frenetic opening day of SPL fixtures and here we go again! I've barely had time to catch my breath...
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