The Hoops failed to let that affect them as St Mirren again had the heroics of highly-rated goalkeeper Roy to thank for keeping them on level terms in the 33rd minute.

Smith did well to keep the ball in and pick out Larsson in the box and he twisted away from Denham to get a shot away which the Frenchman acrobatically turned over the bar.

St Mirren continued to grow in confidence and Junior Mendez tried an audacious long-range volley which Hedman collected comfortably under his bar.

But Roy was rapidly becoming the star of the show as he again pulled off a great save to deny Celtic.

Fernandez found Larsson and he in-turn squared the ball into the path of Thompson to shoot, but his effort was tipped past the post by the Saints number one.

He again did well moments later to save Smith’s low shot through a crowded goalmouth before Lappin fired just wide after a promising break by the men from Love Street.

But St Mirren were dealt a blow just before the break when Cameron hobbled off with a suspected hamstring injury and he was replaced by Jamie Dunbar.