St Mirren fans are still basking in the afterglow of a historic triumph after their team stunned Celtic 3-1 in the Scottish League Cup final at Hampden Park on December 14, 2025. For the Paisley club, it was a day to savor—a return to glory 13 seasons after their first League Cup crown and a performance that will be talked about for years to come.
The script was written early as St Mirren, led by Lisburn-born manager Stephen Robinson, struck just two minutes in. Marcus Fraser, the Buddies’ captain and a former Celtic player, rose highest to meet Keanu Baccus’ pinpoint cross from a corner, nodding the ball past Kasper Schmeichel and sending the St Mirren faithful into raptures. According to several reports, Fraser “towered above the Celtic defence to head home Keanu Baccus' cross,” setting the tone for a frenetic opening phase.
Celtic, under the stewardship of new boss Wilfried Nancy, were desperate to halt a worrying slide. Nancy had already become the first manager in the club’s storied history to lose his first two matches in charge—against Hearts and Roma—so the pressure was on to deliver silverware and spark a turnaround. Yet, despite controlling a whopping 73.7% of possession, the Hoops looked vulnerable at the back and surprisingly toothless in attack for long stretches.
Still, the Glasgow giants rallied midway through the first half. Kieran Tierney, operating as a left wing-back rather than in his customary defensive role, whipped in a brilliant delivery. Reo Hatate, ghosting in behind the St Mirren defense, volleyed home to level the scores. The Japanese midfielder’s goal was a rare bright spot in an otherwise underwhelming performance, with even his rating in the post-match analysis tempered by criticism for failing to challenge Fraser on the opening goal.
“Hatate earns a slightly higher rating than many of his teammates, mainly based on the goal which was very well taken, first-time on the volley from Tierney’s cross,” noted one review. Tierney himself was among Celtic’s best, providing a consistent threat down the flank and earning a 6/10 for his efforts. Captain Callum McGregor also tried to lead by example, snapping into tackles and driving forward, but his urgency was not matched by his teammates.
The first half was not without drama. Kelechi Iheanacho, making his first start since returning from injury, was forced off after just 35 minutes with another hamstring problem—a “serious hammerblow” for Nancy and Celtic’s attacking hopes. Johnny Kenny replaced him, but the Hoops never quite recovered their attacking rhythm.
As the second half began, St Mirren sensed an opportunity. Their midfield pressed with purpose, and their attackers—Jonah Ayunga and Dan Nlundulu—looked increasingly dangerous. The breakthrough came in the 64th minute. Alex Gogic, ever the midfield dynamo, flicked a clever first-time cross over the Celtic defense. Ayunga, who had previously spent time on loan at Sligo Rovers and Galway United, made no mistake, nodding the ball over the advancing Schmeichel to restore St Mirren’s lead. The Buddies’ support erupted once more—could this be their day?
Ayunga wasn’t done. With 12 minutes remaining, St Mirren launched a swift counter-attack. Miguel Freckleton’s long ball caught Celtic’s defense napping, Declan John raced clear, checked back, and found Ayunga. The striker finished with aplomb, his second goal putting the final beyond doubt and cementing his status as the hero of the hour.
“We came here and believed in ourselves...we believed we would beat Celtic. It wasn’t luck today, we were the best team and deserve to put our hands on that trophy,” said Conor McMenamin, who played 72 minutes in the final, to BBC Sport Scotland. The former Irish League star added, “I’ll take this weekend to the grave with me and I’m going to enjoy it.” His pride was evident, and rightfully so—he and his teammates had executed Robinson’s game plan to perfection, blending discipline with daring.
Robinson’s influence cannot be overstated. Before the match, he delivered an emotional team talk that included messages from players’ families, reminding them of what was at stake and urging them to seize the moment. “It’s about seizing moments like this, they don’t come around too often when you’re at a club like this. You might never get another chance. Thankfully we grasped that,” McMenamin reflected.
St Mirren’s defensive discipline was matched by the heroics of goalkeeper Shamal George, who produced key saves to deny Colby Donovan’s long-range effort and Johnny Kenny’s late strike. The Saints’ backline, marshaled by Fraser, held firm even as Celtic pressed for a way back into the match. Ireland international Killian Phillips played all 90 minutes, anchoring the midfield and helping to disrupt Celtic’s rhythm.
Celtic, meanwhile, were left to rue missed opportunities and a lack of cutting edge. Schmeichel, rated 5/10, could do little about Fraser’s opener but was left exposed on Ayunga’s first goal and couldn’t keep out the second. The back three of Anthony Ralston, Liam Scales, and Auston Trusty struggled to contain St Mirren’s forwards. Ralston, who started on the right, was forced off injured in the 72nd minute, while substitutes like Donovan and James Forrest failed to turn the tide. Daizen Maeda, usually a livewire, endured a quiet afternoon, and record signing Arne Engels was largely anonymous.
To add to their woes, sporadic anti-board chants echoed around Hampden as the final minutes ticked away. Nancy’s tactical tweaks—starting Ralston in the back three, pushing Tierney to wing-back, and deploying Sebastian Tounekti on the right—failed to pay dividends. The Frenchman’s nightmare start continues, with the pressure now firmly on the Celtic board to steady the ship.
For St Mirren, this was more than just a cup win. It was vindication for Robinson’s vision, a reward for the players’ belief, and a moment of joy for supporters who have waited over a decade for another taste of silverware. The victory also marked Robinson’s fifth major trophy as a manager and capped three consecutive top-six finishes for the club—a remarkable achievement for the Paisley outfit.
As the confetti settled on Hampden Park, St Mirren’s players and fans celebrated a night they’ll never forget. For Celtic, the inquest begins, but for the Buddies, the party is just getting started. The Scottish League Cup is heading back to Paisley, and this time, it feels even sweeter.
