Barry Robson's scrappy second-half penalty was the difference as Celtic began the defence of their Clydesdale Bank Premier League title against St Mirren at Parkhead.

After coping with the champions for most of the game with some ease, Will Haining was adjudged by referee Eddie Smith to have fouled Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink inside the box on the hour mark.

After the Saints defender was shown a red card for his troubles, Robson slammed the spot-kick against Mark Howard and then gratefully watched it bounce over the line before the Love Street keeper could recover.

Scott McDonald partnered Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink in attack for Celtic with skipper Stephen McManus back in the heart of the defence alongside Gary Caldwell after recovering from a groin injury.

With regular midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura out, also with a groin injury, the champions' engine room consisted of Scott Brown, Barry Robson, Paul Hartley and Aiden McGeady.

St Mirren boss Gus MacPherson handed debuts to Jack Ross and Tom Brighton as Billy Mehmet was asked to perform a lone striker's role.


Emotions ran high before kick-off when Rosemary Burns, widow of former Hoops player, manager and coach Tommy Burns, who died in May from cancer at the age of 51, unfurled the championship flag, accompanied by chairman Brian Quinn and skipper McManus.

The 60,000 fans inside the stadium were also introduced to their newest recruit, 20-year-old Spanish midfielder Marc Crosas signed on a four-year deal from Barcelona.

In the charged atmosphere, Gordon Strachan was even afforded a cheer from the Parkhead fans, many of whom have been less than supportive of their manager over the three seasons he has been charge at Celtic Park.

To the Celtic fans, St Mirren were there simply in a supporting role but in a low-key start to the match, Saints midfielders Garry Brady and Stephen McGinn both tested Artur Boruc, albeit without causing the Celtic keeper any real trouble.

In the 17th minute McDonald, Scotland's top scorer last season, drove a shot from 30 yards wide of the target, which riled the home fans, already agitated by the lack of goal action.

St Mirren remained neat and tidy, growing in confidence, and a whipped-in cross from defender Franco Miranda may have provided some joy for the Paisley side with a little more commitment from Mehmet.

In the 26th minute, McDonald headed an Andreas Hinkel cross over the bar, typifying his early struggle.

Moments later, McGeady lifted the fans by winning a corner with his first contribution of the game inside the St Mirren box when he took on Ross, although that came to nothing.

Two minutes after the restart the Love Street side were denied a shock opener only by a fine save from Boruc.

Mehmet and Stephen O'Donnell worked a one-two inside the Celtic box and Englishman Mehmets right-footed shot was heading for the bottom corner until the Poland international tipped it onto the post and away to safety.

That escape jolted the home side into action and seconds later Caldwell was unmarked at the back post when Lee Naylor's looping free-kick came in but the Scotland international's tame header from eight yards went straight to Howard.

In the 55th minute Vennegoor of Hesselink went down in the box after a challenge from Howard but referee Eddie Smith waved away penalty claims.

However, the Dutchman was awarded a penalty on the hour mark after clashing with Saints defender Will Haining who tried to recover his mistake in letting a Naylor punt get behind him.

After Haining was sent off to compound his misery, Robson slammed the spot-kick off Howard, the ball eventually bouncing over the line to the relief of the former Dundee United player and the Celtic fans.

Vennegoor of Hesselink should have doubled Celtic's lead in the 68th minute but somehow headed wide from eight yards out.

Mark Wilson replaced the injured Naylor and Georgios Samaras came on for the out-of-touch McDonald.

Saints battled valiantly despite being a man down and took some encouragement from the nerves that continued to bedevil the Hoops' defence.

In the 84th minute, Saints substitute Mark McAusland, on for Garry Brady, headed over from new signing Tonet's corner, the Spaniard also on as a replacement for Brighton.

A minute later. Mehmet fired wide of the target from 12 yards but the home side held out for an unconvincing but crucial victory.