Saints' poor run of form continued with a disappointing defeat to Hibs.

The game was typical end of season stuff, despite both sides still not clear of the threat of relegation. An instantly forgettable first half was followed up by a slightly better second, the decisive moment coming a quarter of an hour from the end when Ewan Henderson slammed the ball past Jak Alnwick.

The goalie was back in the team after completing his suspension, Saints boss Stephen Robinson making four other chances with Scott Tanser returning from injury and Conor McCarthy, Ethan Erhahon and Curtis Main also starting. Jake Doyle-Hayes and Paul McGinn were the only member of Hibs' former Saints contingent to start, although Darren McGregor was on the bench.

Jay Henderson was one of the Saints players who had been left out of the team due to the change of shape, however his absence lasted barely 10 minutes before he was brought on to replace the injured Richard Tait. The youngster had a go from 20 yards that was well off target, the same applying to a shot from James Scott at the other end from a bit further out.

There was little to get excited about until a Henderson cross caused some chaos in the Hibs box. Eamonn Brophy tried to divert it towards goal only for visiting goalie Matt Macey to get something on it, McGinn then knocking it behind with Main lurking. Saints were beginning to get a bit of joy in the wide areas as Tanser crossed for Brophy but his heady was easily dealt with by Macey.

Before anything could happen in the second half Saints were dealt another injury blow, Brophy the player forced off this time with Alex Greive coming on. Almost immediately, the New Zealander had half a chance when a throw in was flicked on to the back post but he hooked his effort well over.

Eamonn Brophy goes close in the first-half, but the the forward was forced off with an injury (Image: Allan Picken)

It took until midway through the half for Alnwick to be forced to make a meaningful save for the first time, and even then he had no problem holding Scott's header after he'd escaped his marker.

Henderson shot over from the edge of the box before Hibs took the lead. The ball was played out to Harry Clarke on the right and he found Ewan Henderson, who showed great composure to fire past Alnwick. Saints tried to respond, Main founding no takers after firing a dangerous ball across goal before Tanser was unlucky to hit the bar with a half-volley.

Jordan Jones and Ryan Flynn came on for Erhahon and Power as the game entered its dying stages, the changes giving Saints some brief impetus as Greive saw his shot easily dealt with by Macey before Main failed headed off-target from a corner. Hibs should have wrapped things up in stoppage time when Sylvester Jasper played in fellow sub Josh Campbell but he somehow shot over – the miss not proving costly as the visitors comfortably saw out the remaining seconds to secure all three points.

Full-Time: St Mirren 0-1 Hibernian

St Mirren: Alnwick, Fraser, Shaughnessy (c), McCarthy, Tait (Henderson 11), Ronan, Power (Jones 84), Erhahon (Flynn 84), Tanser, Main, Brophy (Greive 49)
Subs Not Used: Lyness, Smyth, Kiltie

Hibernian: Macey, Cadden (Doig 21), McGinn, Hanlon, Stevenson, Henderson (Campbell 83), Doyle-Hayes, Newell, Clarke, Melkersen (Mueller 69), Scott (Jasper 83)
Subs Not Used: Dabrowski, Allan, Bushiri, Delferriere, McGregor

Referee: Euan Anderson
Assistant Referee: Daniel McFarlane
Assistant Referee: Steven Traynor
Fourth Official: Greg Aitken

Attendance: 4,992

St Mirren suffered a disappointing loss as Rangers ran out 4-0 winners at the SMiSA Stadium.

Kemar Roofe scored a hat-trick for the visitors before Joe Aribo curled home a really good finish from 20 yards on a day to forget for Saints.

With yesterday's results meaning top six was no longer a possibility for the Buddies, focus turned to aiming to finish the best of bottom six and Stephen Robinson made two changes from the side that lost at Motherwell last week with Charles Dunne and Alex Gogic coming in for Conor McCarthy and Ethan Erhahon. 

But Saints got off to the worst possible start when Roofe put the visitors in front after just two minutes. The Rangers forward met a Ryan Kent cross from the right and headed into the far corner leaving Dean Lyness with no chance. 

The Buddies reacted well though and were playing some decent stuff as the first-half progress though they couldn't create anything to break down the Rangers defence. 

It looked like the Saints would head into the break still very much in the match, but the manager's half-time team talk would have to change when Rangers doubled their advantage right at the end of the first-half when Roofe headed home his second of the afternoon. It was almost a carbon copy of his opening goal with the striker unchallenged as he nodded into the corner of the net and came just moments after Aaron Ramsey had cracked the bar for the visitors. 

An uphill task would be made even more difficult just five minutes into the second-half when Roofe completed his hat-trick. Fashion Sakala was able to waltz through the Saints defence via the aid of a one-two with Aribo and Roofe was the quickest to react to the break of the ball - slamming home from inside the six yard box.

Alex Gogic almost pulled one back straight after Rangers' third with the Cypriot midfielder almost catching out goalkeeper Allan McGregor, but the veteran stopper managed to get down to claw away.

Alex Gogic almost pulled a goal back early in the second-half (Image: Allan Picken)

In truth though it was Rangers who were looking the more likely to add to their lead and substitute Amad Diallo should have punished a Saints error with 20 minutes remaining. McCarthy slipped on the halfway line under pressure from Aribo who slid the ball through to Sakala. The Zambian forward burst forward and found Manchester United loanee Diallo who somehow put wide. 

Rangers would add a fourth with less than 15 minutes remaining. There was nothing Lyness could do to keep it out as Aribo curled into top corner from 20 yards. 

Alex Greive forced a brilliant save from McGregor in the dying embers as Saints looked for a consolation, but it would be a day to forget for the Buddies. 

Full-Time: St Mirren 0-4 Rangers

St Mirren: Lyness, Fraser, Shaughnessy (c), Dunne (McCarthy 45), Tait, Ronan, Power, Gogic, Henderson (Greive 63), Jones (Erhahon 79), Brophy (Main 63)
Subs Not Used: Urminsky, Smyth, Thomson, Gallagher, Gilmartin

Rangers: McGregor, Tavernier, Goldson, Helander (King 45), Barisic, Lundstram (Davis 26), Ramsey (Sands 45), Aribo, Kent (Wright 45), Roofe (Amad 63), Sakala
Subs Not Used: McLaughlin, Balogun, Kamara, Arfield

Referee: John Beaton
Assistant Referee: Calum Spence
Assistant Referee: Ross Macleod
Fourth Official: Euan Anderson

Attendance: 6,583

St Mirren's top six hopes have been left hanging by a thread after Saints were beaten 4-2 by Motherwell at Fir Park.

A breathless opening 45 saw Motherwell go into the break 3-2 ahead. Eamonn Brophy put St Mirren ahead, but two goals in a minute from Sean Goss and Connor Shields put the Steelmen in front. The returning Conor McCarthy levelled on 38 minutes, only for Motherwell to re-take the lead in the final minute of the half through Dean Cornelius. 

A Richard Tait own-goal 12 minutes from time saw the Fir Park side add a fourth to secure their first league win since Boxing Day.

Despite a slow start Saints struck first when Brophy scored his eighth goal of the season from close-range. Stephen O'Donnell's attempted clearance from a cross on the left clattered off Sondre Solholm Johansen and fell to Brophy who turned and slotted into the corner of the net. 

Eamonn Brophy puts St Mirren in front (Image: David Henderson)

The home side levelled on 20 minutes when Goss squeezed beyond Dean Lyness - deputising for the suspended Jak Alnwick - at the near post. And within a minute Motherwell were ahead when Shields ran on to a ball over the top and lifted over the Saints goalkeeper.

The St Mirren reaction to going behind was good with Brophy almost equalising on 28 minutes. The striker went one-on-one with Liam Kelly but smacked the post with the rebound evading Jordan Jones.

O'Donnell was gifted a huge opportunity to add a third for the home side when Erhahon's clearance fell to the Scotland internationalists feet. Lyness denied with a save from his feet. 

Saints made it 2-2 seven minutes before half-time when McCarthy scored his second goal of the season. The Irish defender bundled home at the back post after Kelly in the Motherwell goal failed to gather a corner. 

Just when it looked like the Buddies would go into the interval level, Motherwell took the lead again. Joe Efford's ball from the left found Cornelius who took a touch to control before guiding into corner of the net. 

Lyness made a wonderful save to push away a sweet Callum Slattery strike from 20 yards 10 minutes into the second-half. Efford should have scored the rebound but took a touch which allowed the St Mirren defence to crowd out and clear. 

Saints were controlling possession in the second 45 but were failing to create anything that would trouble Kelly. Marcus Fraser was inches away from making it 3-3 just after the hour mark. Jones' corner was flicked on at the near post by Brophy and Fraser was agonisingly close to connecting with a touch that would have almost certainly found the net. 

But that lack of cutting edge would cost St Mirren as Motherwell sealed their win 12 minutes from time. Kevin Van Veen did brilliantly down the left with his low ball across turned into the net by Richard Tait. 

St Mirren now must beat Rangers next Sunday at the SMiSA Stadium and hope that results on Saturday go our way to have any chance of taking a top six place. 

Full-Time: Motherwell 4-2 St Mirren

St Mirren: Lyness, Fraser, Shaughnessy (c), McCarthy, Tait (Main 79), Power, Erhahon (Greive 72), Henderson, Ronan, Jones, Brophy
Subs Not Used: Urminsky, Dunne, Gogic, Main

Motherwell: Kelly, O'Donnell, Mugabi, Solholm Johansen, Lamie, Cornelius, Slattery, Goss (Donnelly 75), Shields, Efford (Tierney 74), Van Veen (Shaw 90)
Subs Not Used: Fox, Carroll, Woolery, O'Hara, Shaw, Ojala, Grimshaw

Referee: Craig Napier
Assistant Referee: Daniel McFarlane
Assistant Referee: Graham McNeille
Fourth Official: Bobby Madden

Attendance: 4,441 (838 St Mirren fans)

Saints, the city of Dundee and late drama. It seems to be a thing lately.

It looked as if Buddies legend Tony Fitzpatrick would have a happy ending in his final game before retirement as youngster Jay Henderson scored a screamer after just three minutes.

However, after the break United looked a completely different side and should have been level well before Dylan Levitt's tremendous equaliser.

It looked as if the game would peter out in a draw but with a couple of minutes left Saints goalie Jak Alnwick charged from his goal, clattered Tony Watt and was sent off. Dean Lyness came on and had little to do – until the final seconds of stoppage time when United hit the woodwork for a third time and Marc McNulty nodded home to spark jubilant scenes behind the goal.

Henderson was back in the team due to an injury to Jordan Jones with Marcus Fraser replacing Scott Tanser in the Saints defence. Tony Watt and Charlie Mulgrew returned for the visitors, with one time Saints loan star Liam Smith starting in defence.

It took Henderson all of three minutes to make his presence felt. The young winger picked up the ball from Connor Ronan in the middle of the park and charged towards the edge of the United area before unleashing an unstoppable shot past Benji Siegrist to give the Buddies the lead.

Connor Ronan celebrates with Jay Henderson after the latter had given us the lead (Image: Allan Picken)

Despite enjoying plenty of the ball it took United a fair amount of time to muster up some sort of response, Calum Butcher blasting an ambitious shot miles over midway through the half. A few moments later Marc McNulty dragged a shot across goal after being played in by Miller Thomson, before Jak Alnwick had to rush from his line to block a shot from Ilmari Niskanen.

Saints hadn't really threatened since scoring but Eamonn Brophy almost doubled the lead when his shot from the edge of the box was deflected wide. When Henderson whipped the corner in, Fraser headed it across for Charles Dunne but he hooked it over. United had a half-hearted penalty shout turned down when they claimed a Ryan Edwards header had been blocked by a Saints defender's arm before the Buddies forced a series of corners as they looked to double their lead. Siegrist almost punched one into his own net, while at another Dunne threatened with a header that was eventually nodded behind by Edwards.

United introduced Nicky Clark and Ross Graham at the break and they looked a totally different outfit, Edwards heading over from a corner just the start of their push for an equaliser. Saints had a huge let off when the home defence failed to cut out a cross that made it all the way through to the unmarked McNulty, but Richard Tait was in the right place to head the forward's shot off the line. The Buddies immediately pushed up field but Greg Kiltie opted to shoot from range and his effort was well off target.

Clark's decision to have a go from 25 yards moments later looked similarly optimistic but the striker was desperately unlucky to see his shot thump off the bar with Alnwick beaten. Soon after United finally did get the better of the Saints keeper, Dylan Levitt playing a one-two off an unwitting defender before firing a tremendous shot beyond the reach of Alnwick into the far corner to level things up.

United weren't done there and when Alnwick failed to connect properly with a corner, Edwards hooked the ball towards goal only to see it rattle the bar. In a bid to stem the tide, Saints boss Stephen Robinson made a double change of his own, Conor McCarthy and Alex Greive replacing Henderson and Kiltie. The subs did ease the pressure on the home defence before another double change came with Curtis Main and Ethan Erhahon replacing Brophy and Alan Power.

McCarthy almost made an impact at the other end as he sent a shot wide from long range but that just paved the way for some late drama. As Watt raced in on goal, Alnwick came out of his box and clattered the United striker, ref Nick Walsh sending the goalie off and Lyness replaced Greive for the four minutes of stoppage time. To the relief of the majority of the 5,710 crowd, Charlie Mulgrew rattled his free-kick into the wall and his attempt from the rebound trundled well wide.

Jak Alnwick was shown a straight red card in the final minutes (Image: Allan Picken)

And that seemed to be that – until deep into stoppage time United launched one last attack. A stramash ensued, the ball hit the bar and dropped kindly for McNulty to head into the net and give the visitors all three points.

Full-Time: St Mirren 1-2 Dundee United

St Mirren: Alnwick, Fraser, Shaughnessy (c), Dunne, Tait, Power (Erhahon 82), Gogic, Henderson (McCarthy 66), Ronan, Kiltie (Greive 66, Lyness 90), Brophy (Main 82)
Subs Not Used: Flynn

Dundee United: Siegrist, Smith, Edwards, Butcher, McMann (Graham 45), Mulgrew, Niskanen, Thomson (Clark 45), Levitt, McNulty, Watt
Subs Not Used: Eriksson, Sporle, McDonald, Meekison, Neilson, Freeman, Mochrie

Referee: Nick Walsh
Assistant Referee: Alan Mulvanny
Assistant Referee: Graeme Leslie
Fourth Official: Greg Aitken

Attendance: 5,710

St Mirren exited the Scottish Cup at the quarter-final stage following a battling 4-2 defeat at Tynecastle.

The Buddies battled from 2-0 down to go level with Eamonn Brophy and Connor Ronan netting. But Hearts substitute Aaron McEneff scored within 30 seconds of coming off the bench before setting up Ellis Simms in the final few minutes to see the Saints exit at the last eight.

A noisy travelling support of around 1500 had travelled through to Gorgie to back the Buddies and Stephen Robinson made one change to the side that defeated Dundee on Wednesday night with the returning Jak Alnwick back in place of Dean Lyness. 

Brophy had the first opportunity of an action packed quarter-final, driving into the arms of Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon on seven minutes. Less than sixty seconds later Alnwick was forced into his first save as he got two strong hands on a Barrie McKay strike from the edge of the area. 

McKay was instrumental in the Hearts opener. The winger drove in from the left and played a perfect ball for Ellis Simms. The forward struggled to get the ball out of his feet with Alnwick blocking, but the Baningime was quickest to react - knocking into the net to put the hosts ahead. 

Hearts doubled their advantage just before the half-hour mark. In fairness to Hearts it was a well worked move which ended when Liam Boyce knocked the ball wide to Ben Woodburn and the forward's first time pass was met by the oncoming Peter Haring who swept home from close-range to make it 2-0. 

It was a huge blow to Stephen Robinson's side who had been playing fairly well, but all wasn't lost as Saints pulled one back seven minutes later. Alnwick's long pass was picked up on by Richard Tait. The defender burst forward before playing a wonderful ball into Brophy with the striker knocking beyond Gordon to half the deficit. 

After keeping Hearts at bay at the start of the second 45 with Alnwick doing well to turn away a deflected Woodburn strike, St Mirren grew in confidence as they searched for an equaliser. Gordon made two big saves just after the hour mark to deny Jordan Jones and Greg Kiltie. 

Saints would drew level on 62 minutes when Connor Ronan added another incredible strike to his collection. The Irishman has made a habit of scoring wonder-goals since joining on loan from Wolves and this could be his best yet after he whipped into the top corner from 25 yards to make it 2-2.

Connor Ronan scored a sensational goal to draw Saints level (Image: Willie Vass)

But the home side would go back in front six minutes later when substitute Aaron McEneff diverted a deflection into the net. And Hearts made it four with five minutes remaining when Simms headed a McEneff cross beyond Alnwick to end Saints hope of a trip to Hampden next month.

Full-Time: Hearts 4-2 St Mirren

St Mirren: Alnwick, Tait, Shaughnessy (c), Dunne, Tanser (Fraser 53), Power, Gogic (Greive 75), Ronan, Kiltie (Henderson 75), Jones, Brophy
Subs Not Used: Lyness, Smyth, McCarthy, Flynn, Erhahon, Main

Hearts: Gordon, Atkinson, Halkett, Kingsley, Halliday, Haring, Baningime, Woodburn (McEneff 67), Boyce, McKay (Sibbick 90), Simms
Subs Not Used: Stewart, Moore, Kirk, Rathie, Tait

Referee: Bobby Madden
Assistant Referee: Frank Connor
Assistant Referee: Alastair Mather
Fourth Official: Colin Steven

Connor Ronan's last-gasp header won St Mirren all three points at Dundee and moved Saints to within a point of fourth place.

Stephen Robinson headed to the city of discovery in search of his first win as Buddies boss. Despite being well on top, it looked like he would have to settle for just a point - only for Ronan to get his head on the end of a super Jay Henderson cross deep into stoppage time to take the points back to Paisley.

After an uneventful opening half-hour in which neither side really created anything, Saints had two good opportunities to open the scoring in the space of two minutes. 

The first saw Eamonn Brophy slip the ball down the left channel where it found Jordan Jones in acres of space. Dundee goalkeeper Harry Sharp was hesitant in coming for it and Jones - looking to take advantage of that hesitation - aimed to lift the ball over him, but put straight into his hands.

Two minutes later Greg Kiltie did well to not only keep the ball in play, but then play it across the area where it found an unmarked Brophy. The Saints striker took a touch to steady himself before seeing his strike blocked on the line by Zeno Ibsen Rossi. 

Dundee weren't without their openings but didn't trouble Dean Lyness with Jordan McGhee and Cammy Kerr both firing over from the same range in quick succession. 

After a goalless opening 45, the home side started the second-half stronger with Ibsen Rossi's header across the face of goal needed to be cleared over the bar by Ronan with Declan McDaid lurking at the back post. Niall McGinn then fizzed a dangerous looking ball across the face of the Saints box with no takers in Dark Blue. 

Saints took a grip of the game and passed up a golden opportunity to take the lead just after the hour mark. Brophy had two efforts blocked before the ball landed perfectly for Jones who somehow slammed over from just a few yards out. 

The Buddies had a huge appeal for a penalty five minutes later when Scott Tanser's cross from the left appeared to strike the hand of Dundee defender Ryan Sweeney. Referee John Beaton was unmoved. 

With the clock running down, Brophy went close to putting St Mirren ahead with less than five minutes of time to go as his header from a Jones cross drifted agonisingly wide.

It appeared it was going to be just one of those nights for the Buddies with John Beaton disallowing a Saints goal on 90 minutes after Richard Tait had nodded home from a corner. 

But Saints would have one last chance with substitute Henderson - fresh from being named in the Scotland U21 squad this morning - sending in a perfect cross from the right which Ronan got his head on the end of to sent the travelling support into raptures as the race for a top six place heats up with three games to go until the split. 

Connor Ronan heads home in stoppage time to secure points for Saints (Image: Willie Vass)

Full-Time: Dundee 0-0 St Mirren

St Mirren: Lyness, Tait, Shaughnessy (c), Dunne, Tanser, Ronan, Power, Gogic, Kiltie (Henderson 78), Jones, Brophy (Greive 87)
Subs Not Used: Urminsky, Smyth, Fraser, McCarthy, Flynn, Erhahon, Main

Dundee: Sharp, Kerr, Ibsen Rossi, Sweeney, Marshall, McDaid (Rudden 62), Anderson (Daley-Campbell 83), McGhee (c), McGinn, McCowan (Byrne 62), McMullan
Subs Not Used: Welsh, Fontaine, Chapman, Mulligan, Elliott

Referee: John Beaton
Assistant Referee: Craig Ferguson
Assistant Referee: Gary Hilland
Fourth Official: Chris Fordyce

Attendance: 5,069 

St Mirren were beaten by Ross County in the cinch Premiership this afternoon. 

Joseph Hungbo's penalty early in the second-half was enough to see the points remain in Dingwall. 

Jak Alnwick missed out which meant Dean Lyness came in for his first start since December. Alex Greive replaced Curtis Main in the only other change from Wednesday's defeat at Celtic.  

After a quiet start, Saints had a decent spell of possession after 15 minutes in which they started to pass the ball about more freely but ultimately didn't make Ross Laidlaw work in the County goal. 

Regan Charles-Cook was looking like County's biggest threat in an opening 45 that lacked quality. The Englishman, who is top scorer in the cinch Premiership so far this season with 13 goals, forced Lyness to push away a dangerous ball from the right-hand side with Jordan White waiting to pounce on 25 minutes. Conor McCarthy did well four minutes later to pressure Charles-Cook and take the sting out of his effort from the edge of the area allowing it to roll harmlessly into the arms of Lyness. 

With around eight minutes of the first-half remaining Jordan Tillson fired over from the edge of the area. Charles-Cook's free-kick was only cleared as far at the County number 22, but his first-time effort flew over. 

Saints passed up a great opportunity on the counter as the first-half approached its end. Alex Gogic drove forward with a number of players piling forward but the move broke down when Alan Power couldn't control the pass and get a shot away. 

Stephen Robinson made two changes at half-time with Ethan Erhahon and Curtis Main replacing Greg Kiltie and Alex Greive. 

But within two minutes of the restart Ross County were awarded a penalty when Hungbo went down under the challenge. He stepped up to take and smashed in off the underside of the bar to give the home side the lead. 

Saints were dealt a further blow on 52 minutes when McCarthy had to be replaced after picking up an injury. That saw the introduction of Eamonn Brophy who fizzed a strike over the bar five minutes after his introduction. 

Laidlaw was forced into his first save of the game on the hour mark when Jordan Jones found Main with the forward's effort pushed away at the near post by the County goalkeeper.

For all the visitors were having the ball, they were failing to create much. Jones flashed over from the edge of the box as the clock ticked down with Saints heading back to Paisley empty-handed. 

Full-Time: Ross County 1-0 St Mirren

St Mirren: Lyness, Tait, Shaughnessy (c), McCarthy (Brophy 52), Dunne, Tanser, Power (Henderson 87), Gogic, Kiltie (Erhahon 46), Jones, Greive (Main 46)
Subs Not Used: Urminsky, Smyth, Fraser, Flynn

Ross County: Laidlaw, Ramsay, Baldwin (c), Iacovitti, Randall, Callachan, Tillson, Hungbo (Spittal 76), H. Paton (Samuel 90), Charles-Cook (Drysdale 84), White
Subs Not Used: Munro, MacKinnon, Wright, B.Paton, Burroughs, Vokins

Referee: David Dickinson
Assistant Referee: Andy Milne
Assistant Referee: David Dunne
Fourth Official: Steven McLean

Two second-half goals saw St Mirren lose at Celtic Park. 

Saints resisted Celtic in the first-half, but goals in the second period from Cameron Carter-Vickers and Callum McGregor saw the Celts inflict just a second defeat for St Mirren in 2022. 

Stephen Robinson made three changes from the side that lost to Hearts on Saturday. Out went the suspended Connor Ronan as well as Marcus Fraser and Alex Greive. They were replaced by Conor McCarthy, Scott Tanser and Curtis Main. 

Celtic went close to an opener with eight minutes on the clock when Charles Dunne sliced a clearance from a Jota cross. Much to the defender's relief it crashed off the bar with Saints able to deal with the resulting corner. 

Jak Alnwick had his first save to make on 18 minutes when he made a good reaction stop to push away Liel Abada's side-foot effort from close-range.

Alnwick's counterpart Joe Hart had his first real involvement in the match two minutes later after good play down the right side from the Buddies. Richard Tait's ball in caused problems for the Celtic defence with the loose ball almost falling for Joe Shaughnessy. Former England international Hart just managed to gather the ball ahead of the Saints skipper. 

Celtic had the bulk of the possession as was to be expected but couldn't find the breakthrough in the opening 45. Daizen Maeda headed wide on 38 minutes, while Alnwick did well to claw away a Reo Hatate strike from 20 yards.

The home side continued to control the play and took the lead on 55 minutes. A free-kick swung in from the right by Jota wasn't cleared and fell to the feet of Carter-Vickers who slammed home from just a few yards out.

Stephen Robinson made two changes just after the hour mark to try and find a way back into the match with Alex Greive and Eamonn Brophy replacing Curtis Main and Greg Kiltie. 10 minutes later it was Jay Henderson and Marcus Fraser who were introduced in place of Jordan Jones and Scott Tanser. 

Greive had looked lively after coming on and played a ball into a good area in the Celtic box with 10 minutes of the game, but there were no takers for Saints. And within 60 seconds of that opening, Celtic secured the three points when McGregor scored their second. The Celtic captain drove the ball across the face of goal into the bottom right corner to ensure victory for the hosts.  

Full-Time: Celtic 2-0 St Mirren

St Mirren: Alnwick, Tait, McCarthy, Shaughnessy (c), Dunne, Tanser (Fraser 75), Power (Erhahon 79), Gogic, Kiltie (Brophy 64), Jones (Henderson 75), Main (Greive 64)
Subs Not Used: Lyness, Flynn

Celtic: Hart, Juranovic, Starfelt, Carter-Vickers, Taylor, McGregor (c) (Ideguchi 87), O'Riley (Bitton 65), Hatate (Rogic 65), Abada (Forrest 65), Jota (Karamoko 84), Maeda
Subs Not Used: Bain, Ralston, McCarthy, Ajeti

Referee: Euan Anderson
Assistant Referee: Daniel McFarlane
Assistant Referee: Jonathan Bell
Fourth Official: Don Robertson

St Mirren were beaten in the first match of the Stephen Robinson era as two goals in three second-half minutes gave Hearts victory in Paisley.

Liam Boyce spurned a number of early chances for the visitors before Saints were dealt a blow when Conor Ronan was shown a straight red for a late challenge on Beni Baningime midway through the first half.

It took until after the hour mark for Hearts to make their advantage count as Ellis Simms scored at the second attempt, but the wasted little time in doubling their advantage as Cammy Devlin's goal was allowed to stand despite home keeper Jak Alnwick appearing to have been fouled in the build-up.

New Saints boss Robinson didn't make any changes for his first game, sticking with the side that had drawn with Livingston a week earlier. There were plenty of changes for Hearts with Craig Gordon back in goals, Craig Halkett returning to the defence and Baningime, Ben Woodburn, Liam Boyce and Gary Mackay-Steven also coming into the team.

Boyce had an early sight of goal after good work from Barrie McKay but his effort from the edge of the box was well off target. The striker had a far better chance when Stephen Kingsley picked him out with a great cross to the back post but Boyce could only head tamely into the arms of the grateful Jak Alnwick. The Saints defence didn't heed the warning and a few minutes later another cross, this time from McKay, found Boyce lurking – Alnwick parrying his header before the ball bounced back off the Northern Irishman and behind.

Hearts were getting plenty of joy down the left, Woodburn firing well over from a Mackay-Steven cross. It hadn't been the best of starts for Saints but midway through the half things got much worse when Connor Ronan made a high challenge on Baningime and ref Greg Aitken – following consultation with his assistants – showed him a straight red card. The Jambos looked to make their numerical advantage count straight away, Woodburn sending a shot over from range before Kingsley sliced one wide.

Connor Ronan was shown a straight red card for his challenge on Beni Baningme (Image: Allan Picken)

The red card seemed to have fired Saints up and they forced a couple of corners, an Alex Gogic header being deflected behind from the first before Alex Greive went down under Woodburn's challenge at the second, a challenge which had the home support screaming in vain for a penalty. Set-pieces were looking like Saints' best hope, Joe Shaughnessy heading over from Jordan Jones' next corner.

The Buddies made a bright start to the second half but had Alnwick to thank for keeping the scores level, the goalie keeping out Boyce's effort then putting his body on the line to block repeated attempts by the men in maroon to force the loose ball into the net before it eventually went out for a goal kick. The away fans then screamed for a penalty when Cammy Devlin thumped the ball at Alan Power from close range but it would have been a harsh award. However, Power seemed to take exception to his opponent's appeal and the pair were booked after exchanging handbags.

It proved irrelevant as a few minutes later Hearts took the lead. The Saints defence failed to stop McKay's cross from the left getting to Ellis Simms and although Alnwick blocked the first shot, he could do nothing to stop the sub stabbing home the rebound. It should have been game over a few minutes later as a cross from Josh Ginnelly evaded the Saints defence but Boyce couldn't bundle it home.

Any hopes the Buddies had of salvaging something from the match were quickly extinguished in controversial style. Baningime played a great through ball to Simms, with Alnwick rushing out to block the shot. The Hearts man clattered the Saints goalkeeper, who went down injured, but play was allowed to continue and Devlin gleefully thumped the ball into the net. The home supporters and players were furious that a free-kick hadn't been given for Simms' challenge, Richard Tait earning a booking for protesting while Alnwick received treatment.

Simms went close to getting the third, getting the better of Shaughnessy before seeing his shot tipped over by Alnwick. A few minutes from time Ginnelly played in Boyce but the striker summed up his day by shooting wide. However, the damage had already been done with Saints' unbeaten start to 2022 finally coming to an end.

Full-Time: St Mirren 0-2 Hearts

St Mirren: Alnwick, Fraser, Shaughnessy (c), Dunne, Tait, Power (Brophy 69), Gogic, Ronan, Kiltie (Flynn 63), Jones, Greive (Main 63)
Subs Not Used: Lyness, Millar, McCarthy, Tanser, Erhahon, Henderson 

Hearts: Gordon (c), Atkinson (Cochrane 56), Souttar, Halkett, Kingsley (Halliday 69), McKay, Baningme, Devlin (Haring 69), Mackay-Steven (Ginnelly 55), Woodburn (Simms 56), Boyce
Subs Not Used: Stewart, McEneff, Moore, Sibbick

Referee: Greg Aitken
Assistant Referee: Graeme Stewart
Assistant Referee: Ross Macleod
Fourth Official: John Beaton

Attendance: 5,767

A late Greg Kiltie goal saw 10 man St Mirren take a share of the spoils and extend their unbeaten run in 2022 to eight matches. 

An own-goal from Joe Shaughnessy had put Livingston in the driving seat for all three points. But Saints midfielder Kiltie nabbed his third goal in two games to ensure a point for the managerless Buddies. 

Jamie Langfield and Allan McManus took charge of the team following the news this morning of the departure of Jim Goodwin and Lee Sharp to Aberdeen. The interim management side - assisted by Andy Webster and Michael McArdle from the St Mirren Youth Academy - chose the same starting eleven that defeated Kelty Hearts in the Scottish Cup last weekend.

The interim management team of Jamie Langfield, Allan McManus and Andy Webster (Image: Craig Brown)

The first opportunity of the game went Saints way after a neat exchange between Connor Ronan and Jordan Jones saw the latter dance his way into the box but fire into the side-netting on eight minutes. Bruce Anderson had the first chance for the home side on 13 minutes after playing a one-two with Nicky Devlin.

Livingston had the better of the first-half without creating too much to worry Saints. Ayo Obileye headed over from a corner on 21 minutes while Jason Holt curled into the hands of Saints goalkeeper Jak Alnwick seven minutes before the interval.

David Martindale's outfit came out with more intent after the break and Joel Nouble should have done better with a chance on 54 minutes. Alan Forrest's strike deflected into the path of the striker who got it all wrong as he scuffed wide.

The home side would take the lead just a minute later when Anderson got on the end of a Devlin cross from the right side. The striker's first attempt cracked off the post with the rebound unfortunately coming off Shaughnessy, finding its way into the back of the net. 

Saints hadn't got going in the second-half and could have been two behind just before the hour mark with Jack Fitzwater having an effort blocked from close-range. 

Jamie Langfield had made three changes to try and find a way back into the match with Jay Henderson, Curtis Main and Scott Tanser all introduced over a 12 minute spell. And just two minutes after the latter had been introduced the Buddies were level. Tanser's deep corner was met by the head of Marcus Fraser at the far post where he headed back across the face of goal. Richard Tait miscontrolled but it fell nicely to Kiltie who drilled home from the edge of the area to draw us level. 

Greg Kiltie celebrates after scoring our equaliser (Image: Craig Brown)

Saints were reduced to 10 men when Charles Dunne was shown a straight red card for a supposed foul on Livingston substitute Sebastian Soto. It looked a harsh decision by referee Willie Collum with Dunne incredulous at receiving his marching order. Livi almost immediately took the lead again from the resulting free-kick after Forrest's ball in came off Fraser and had to be clawed wide by Alnwick.

The Buddies managed to see the game out and take a point back to Paisley.

Full-Time: Livingston 1-1 St Mirren

St Mirren: Alnwick, Fraser, Shaughnessy (c), Dunne, Tait, Power, Gogic (Henderson 64), Ronan, Kiltie, Jones (Tanser 76), Greive (Main 72)
Subs Not Used: Lyness, Millar, McCarthy, Erhahon, Flynn

Livingston: Stryjek, Devlin (c), Fitzwater, Obileye (Boyes 75), Penrice, Holt, Omeonga, Pittman, Forrest, Nouble (Shinnie 75), Anderson (Soto 75)
Subs Not Used: Maley, Longridge, McMillan, Kelly, Montaño, Sibbald

Referee: William Collum
Assistant Referee: Alan Mulvanny
Assistant Referee: Gordon Crawford
Fourth Official: Peter Stuart

Attendance: 4,228