CELTIC will get a rapturous welcome for their trophy presentation against St Mirren on Saturday after clinching the league in midweek.
The Hoops obliterated Kilmarnock with a sensational 5-0 win to officially end Rangers' slim hopes of taking it to the final day in what was one of their best performances of the season. Brendan Rodgers' men have really stepped it up where it mattered and got over the line comfortably in the end.
However, this could be a bit of a minefield for betting angles because with the league title safely won and a huge Scottish Cup Final with Rangers at Hampden coming up next Saturday, you would expect Rodgers to rest plenty of his star names for this.
It could mean there are plenty of kids and bit-part players lining up for the Hoops with their key men possibly only given a limited run-out to wrap them up in cotton wool for next week.
St Mirren are celebrating their first European qualification for 37 years and have enjoyed a fine season. They claimed a 2-2 draw with Hearts in midweek.
How the bookies view it: Celtic massive favourites
Celtic are strong 1/4 favourites to end the season in style. St Mirren are 12/1 and the draw is 9/2, all with bet365.
Recent head to heads: Five alive for Hoops?
Celtic have won all four of their meetings with St Mirren this season in the league and the Scottish Cup.
Saints' last win at Parkhead was three years ago.
Players to watch: Matt's the man
Matt O'Riley is ending the season on fire, after netting against Rangers last week and he still had time to miss a penalty. He followed that up with a double against Killie in midweek. The Danish international has enjoyed a wonderful season and is 13/8 to score anytime with bet365.
Mikael Mandron is Saints' top scorer this season with 11 goals and five of them have come since February. He is 6/1 to net in the east end of Glasgow on Saturday lunchtime.
Probable line-ups
Celtic may rest players and have a full squad to choose from otherwise. St Mirren could be without Jonah Ayunga.
Celtic: Hart; Ralston, Welsh, Scales, Taylor; Bernardo, O’Riley, Hatate; Palma, Idah, Kuhn.
St Mirren: Hemming, Bolton, Gogic, Taylor, Brown, Tanser, O'Hara, Baccus, McMenamin, Scott, Mandron.
Anything else catch the eye?
This should be a party for Celtic and the way they are playing it's very hard to back against them. But punters would be well advised to check the teamsheets for strengths of line-ups.
Rodgers won't want to take any risks, although the strength in depth in Celtic's squad and confidence running through them at the moment should mean they should still have too much for Saints.
It might not be a massacre though – St Mirren are defensively solid and will want to to end their own fine season on a high.
Go for a Celtic win and under 3.5 goals at 11/8 with bet365.
The last time the sides played at Parkhead last month, Celtic won the corner count 11-1. So go for the Hoops to win minus five on the corner handicap at 21/20 with bet365.
This Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and St Mirren will be played on May 18, 2024 and kick off at 12:30. Check below for our tipsters best Celtic vs St Mirren prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
