St Mirren Football Club etched their name in history by securing a 3-1 victory over holders Celtic in the Scottish League Cup final. The triumph marks only the second time in the club's history that they have lifted the trophy, with the last success coming in 2013. Jonah Ayunga's impressive double in the second half sealed the deal for the Buddies, while Celtic's new manager, Wilfried Nancy, continues to wait for his first win.
The match began with a shock for the holders as Marcus Fraser headed St Mirren into the lead within two minutes, capitalizing on a Keanu Baccus corner. Celtic, despite defensive struggles, showed promising attacking plays, with Kelechi Iheanacho and Daizen Maeda causing problems. Reo Hatate equalized for Celtic in the 23rd minute with a well-timed volley, but St Mirren regained control after the break.
Ayunga's first goal came in the 64th minute, a header from Alex Gogic's cross, and he doubled the lead 12 minutes later after a simple run and pass from Declan John. The striker's celebration, including removing his shirt and embracing fans, underscored the significance of the win for the club and its supporters.
St Mirren's manager, Stephen Robinson, has now led his side to three consecutive top-six league finishes, secured European qualification after 36 years, and added a major trophy to his achievements. His legacy at the club is already cemented as a legend in Paisley.
For Celtic, the defeat extends Nancy's winless streak to three matches, a challenging start for the new manager. Despite the loss, Nancy remains optimistic about his team's potential. "I really believe we are going to click and move forward," he stated. "We are a bit fragile at the moment, but my job is to give them confidence."
Ayunga, the hero of the day, expressed his pre-match confidence and the team's collective determination. "I didn't see this going any other way," he said. "Everyone was in it together. We had to grab it."
The victory is a testament to St Mirren's resilience and tactical prowess, while Celtic will look to regroup and turn their fortunes around under Nancy's leadership. The Scottish Premiership continues to promise excitement and unpredictability, with both teams eager to make their mark in the coming fixtures.
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