CELTIC host St Mirren after their Old Firm humbling and they will surely go into this with a point to prove.
Very few Rangers fans never mind anyone else would have predicted such a one-sided battering at Ibrox….or if they did, it wouldn't have been in favour of their team.
But Celtic turned in their worst display at Ibrox for many a year and easily their worst domestic performance of the season in a 3-0 defeat that stunned everyone.
With the gap at the top down to 11 points, it's highly unlikely to change anything unless Celtic enter Devon Loch territory, but it could provide a real wake-up call for the champions who were miles off it.
They host a St Mirren side who had almost as equally miserable an afternoon after failing to beat a 12-year hoodoo at Kilmarnock.
In truth, they barely mustered an attack of note in a 2-0 defeat and they produced a very un-St Mirren like performance with Stephen Robinson's men normally relied on to give their all.
Unfortunately for them, they are now facing a wounded Celtic who will want to show that was a one-off painful loss.
How the bookies view it: Hoops still a sure thing
Celtic have actually come in despite their mauling on Thursday and are enormous 1/9 favourites with Boylesports. Saints can be backed at a huge 22/1 with the draw 15/2.
Recent head to heads: Celtic on a roll
Celtic cruised to a 3-0 win in Paisley earlier this season and have won the last six encounters between the sides. St Mirren's last win at Parkhead came in January 2021 during lockdown.
Players to watch: Idah to put on a show
Not one Celtic player got pass marks at Ibrox and Brendan Rodgers may turn to Adam Idah for a rare start with Kyogo Furuhashi looking out of sorts. The former Norwich City striker is 7/5 to score anytime with Boylesports.
St Mirren captain Mark O'Hara is always a decent outside bet to score and has popped up with plenty of goals over the years. He's a huge 12/1 to score anytime with Boylesports.
Predicted line-ups:
Celtic have only James Forrest injured and there's likely to be a serious reshuffle of the squad.
Saints are without the injured James Scott.
Celtic: Schmeichel, Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Valle, McGregor, Hatate, Engels, Kuhn, Idah, Maeda.
St Mirren: Balcombe, Fraser, Taylor, Gogic, Iacovitti, Tanser, Smyth, Phillips, Idowu, Ayunga, Olusanya.
Anything else catch the eye?
Celtic would have been severely stung by that heavy loss at Rangers and poor St Mirren could suffer a backlash in Glasgow.
Saints were pretty poor themselves at Killie and produced nothing. It's hard to escape the obvious conclusion that the solid shout here is a Celtic to win and win well.
That means going down the handicap route to find any kind of value here – Celtic at -2 with Boylesports at 23/20 looks like it should come up.
You would expect Celtic to try and get this down in style without easing off – they are evens to win both halves with Boylesports.
This Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and St Mirren will be played on Jan 5, 2025 and kick off at 15:00. 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.
