St Mirren are your 2025/26 Premier Sports Cup winners!
Stephen Robinson’s men have won the 2025/26 Premier Sports League Cup after defeating Celtic 3-1 at Hampden securing their second ever League Cup, after their 3-2 win over Hearts in 2013.
Marcus Fraser gave us the lead two minutes in before Reo Hatate equalised for Celtic. Two second-half goals from Jonah Ayunga saw us complete a famous victory and lift a fifth national trophy in our history.
The Buddies went into the match as underdogs, despite Celtic’s poor run of form. Stephen Robinson’s message was clear – 'Faith over Fear'.
St Mirren made two changes from their 2-0 win against Dundee United last weekend. Dan Nlundulu and Keanu Baccus came back into the starting line-up with Mikael Mandron, the competition's top scorer with seven goals, and Fraser Taylor on the bench. There was also a place on the bench for club captain Mark O’Hara, who’s last game was in that 4-1 League Cup semi-final victory over Motherwell. Celtic also made two changes. Anthony Ralston and Kelechi Iheanacho came in for Benjamin Nygren and Hyunjun Yang, who dropped to the bench after their midweek defeat to Roma.
On what was a wet and windy day at the National Stadium, it was the Saints who got off to a flying start. An out-swinging corner in the second minute from Baccus was met by captain Fraser, who leapt highest and headed the ball in off the post past Schmeichel to put St Mirren 1-0 up.
Celtic responded with a lot of the ball. Liam Scales had a deep cross from the left hand side found Iheanacho whose header was brilliantly saved by Shamal George in goal. He got down low to push it wide and keep St Mirren in front.
Moments later Nlundulu nearly doubled St Mirren’s lead. A punt up the pitch from Alex Gogic saw Nlundulu and Scales battle for the bouncing ball. Nlundulu shrugged off Scales but his powerful effort was unable to get past Schmeichel.
Nlundulu was at the heart of all that was happening. After a lovely give and go from Declan John and Baccus, John’s low cross found Nlundulu who was unable to put the ball into the back of the net.
Celtic got more into the game after those sequences. Scales slipped through Daizen Maeda, his low cross would’ve found Hatate for a tap in if it wasn’t for some terrific defending from Richard King before George collected it.
Goalscorer Fraser was booked after taking out Maeda. The resulting free-kick was cleared but only as far as Kieran Tierney. His cross from the left side found Hatate who slid in and put the ball back across George’s goal to level for Celtic.
A stop in play as there was an injury to Killian Phillips, with the Irishman all-good to continue. But Celtic were forced into an early change, after Iheanacho pulled up with a hamstring issue and was replaced by Johnny Kenny.
There was a chance just before the half for Baccus. His quick feet allowed him to get past his defender but his shot was smashed over the bar. There was a late scuffle after the half time whistle between Nlundulu and Auston Trusty, resulting in a yellow for both.
Two early chances in the second half for the Buddies. A John free-kick was just missed by Gogic followed by Baccus’s ball into the box was also just missed by Ayunga.
The second half was scrappy but it was St Mirren who produced the first moment of magic. Miguel Freckleton played the ball inside to Nlundulu who laid it back to Gogic on the edge of the box. The Cypriot, playing in midfield, producing one of the assists of the season. With the outside of his boot, he hit a wonderful travella to Ayunga who beat the out rushing Schmeichel to restore St Mirren’s lead.
After a head knock to Ralston both teams made substitutes with Mandron and Jayden Richardson coming on for Conor McMenamin and Nlundulu for the Buddies. Celtic made three changes with the injured Ralston, Tierney and Sebastian Tounekti making way for Colby Donovan, James Forrest and Luke McCowan.
The Saints entered dreamland by adding a third with 15 to go. Freckleton’s long ball found the alert John, with Celtic’s defence falling asleep. John ran through on goal and with two defenders chasing him he unselfishly passed it to Ayunga for his second of the afternoon. Ayunga received a yellow for taking his top off in celebration, not that he cared. Both Ayunga and John were then both replaced by Scott Tanser and Evan Mooney.
Celtic responded with the substitutes Forrest laying the ball off for Donovan. His powerful low driven shot was well saved by George who tipped behind at full-stretch. Arne Engels was then replaced by Yang.
Mooney had a chance to put the game to bed after a Baccus ball sent the youngster past Trusty. His shot was well saved by Schmeichel.
With six minutes added on Celtic kept pushing, with Kenny’s deflected shot was pushed over the bar from George.
The fans were in brilliant spirits all day and when Kevin Clancy blew for full time it was a rapturous roar from the St Mirren end. Jubilation and wild celebrations from the fans, players and staff all followed, as St Mirren were crowned League Cup winners for the second time.
Club captain O’Hara and vice-captain Fraser collected the trophy and lifted it together. The players and staff celebrated with the fans and their loved ones, as they look to continue that celebration long into the night.
Full-Time: St Mirren 3-1 Celtic (St Mirren win the Premier Sports Cup)
St Mirren: George, Fraser (c), King, Freckleton, McMenamin (Richardson 72), Phillips, Gogic, Baccus, John (Tanser 78), Ayunga (Mooney 81), Nlundulu (Mandron 72)
Subs: Mullen, Taylor, Donnelly, O'Hara, Idowu
Celtic: Schmeichel, Ralston (Donovan 73), Trusty, Scales, Tierney (McCowan 71), McGregor (c), Engels (Yang 84), Hatate, Tounekti (Forrest 72), Maeda, Iheanacho (Kenny 35)
Subs: Sinisalo, Nygren, Balikwisha, Bernardo
Referee: Kevin Clancy
Assistant Referee: Calum Spence
Assistant Referee: Gordon Crawford
Fourth Official: David Dickinson
VAR: Don Robertson
