Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic lose a Scottish Premiership match for first time in a year

While it was an unhappy day for Ange Postecoglou and Aaron Mooy, St Mirren’s upset win over Celtic was pleasing for two former A-League stars.

Ange Postecoglou was disappointed with Celtic’s performance. Picture: Andy Buchanan / AFP

Socceroos midfielder Aaron Mooy’s first Scottish Premiership start for Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic ended in disappointment as the Hoops suffered a shock 2-0 loss to St Mirren.

The away defeat was Celtic’s first league loss in a year, and reduced the Hoops’ lead at the top of the table to two points.

In a game that featured three members of the Socceroos squad named for the two-match series against New Zealand starting on Thursday night in Brisbane, St Mirren pair Keanu Baccus and Ryan Strain claimed bragging rights over Mooy.

Baccus and Strain were among St Mirren’s best performers, while Mooy – who had not started a Scottish Premiership match for Celtic before Sunday night’s encounter – played the opening 45 minutes against one of his former clubs before being replaced.

Postecoglou was unhappy with his side’s display.

Defeat in Paisley.
#STMCEL | #cinchPrem | #COYBIG🍀 pic.twitter.com/4yUhJCTRMz

— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) September 18, 2022

“We didn’t perform anywhere near the levels we needed to,” the former Socceroos coach told Celtic TV.

“Credit to St Mirren, they worked really hard and were committed to their game plan, and we never really got going.

“I’ve been saying all along that we’ve still got areas to improve and areas we need to keep progressing.

“Football will always keep you in check if you’re not doing things the right way, and that’s what it did today.

“I just don’t there were any elements of our performance that were reflective of the kind of team we want to be.

“You always learn from everything you do, but you shouldn’t have to lose to learn of the lessons we did today.

“I thought we already knew that we need to perform at certain levels.”

St Mirren secured the three points through goals on either side of halftime from Mark O’Hara and Jonah Ayunga.

Originally published as Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic lose a Scottish Premiership match for first time in a year