St Mirren achieved a remarkable feat by clinching the Scottish League Cup for the second time in their history, marking their first triumph since 2013. The final, held at Hampden Park, was a thrilling encounter where they emerged victorious against the reigning champions, Celtic, with a scoreline of 3-1.
The match kicked off with unexpected intensity as Marcus Fraser shocked the Celtic defense, opening the scoring within the first two minutes with a deft front-post header from a corner taken by Keanu Baccus. This early goal set the tone for the match, rattling the holders. Celtic attempted to respond but found themselves on the back foot, unable to capitalize on their attacking opportunities.
Despite their defensive woes, Celtic displayed promising attacking movements, particularly during the first half. Kelechi Iheanacho and Daizen Maeda seemed to have a good understanding, creating several chances, but a hamstring injury forced the former to leave the pitch. Kieran Tierney, playing as a left wing-back, also caused St Mirren problems with his trademark deep crosses, helping to set up Reo Hatate’s equalizer in the 23rd minute. Hatate’s perfectly timed sliding volley brought Celtic back into the game, momentarily lifting the spirits of their traveling support.
However, despite the equalizer, Celtic’s momentum quickly dissipated. After Iheanacho’s departure, they struggled to find a cohesive attacking rhythm. St Mirren capitalized on this, demonstrating impressive defensive organization and tactical discipline. Manager Stephen Robinson’s side pressed intelligently, disrupting Celtic’s flow and looking dangerous on the counterattack.
The turning point came in the 64th minute when Jonah Ayunga rose to the occasion, scoring the second goal for St Mirren with a powerful header from an exquisite cross by Alex Gogic. This goal not only rekindled St Mirren’s lead but also reinforced their dominance in the match. Ayunga, renowned for his physicality and presence in the box, added a second goal just 12 minutes later, deftly tapping in a low cross from Declan John. His celebration—removing his shirt and reveling with the fans—captured the euphoria of the moment and the significance of the victory.
With this win, St Mirren secured a significant milestone. Stephen Robinson, having led the team to three consecutive top-six league finishes and their first European qualification in 36 years, is now etched into the club’s history as a legendary figure. His ability to motivate and organize his players was evident throughout the match.
On the contrary, Celtic faced a harsh reality under new manager Wilfried Nancy, who experienced his third consecutive defeat, a sobering start to his tenure. After losses to Hearts and Roma, this defeat compounded the pressure on him and the Celtic board. Despite the setbacks, Nancy remained optimistic, asserting that he believed his side would eventually find their rhythm and bounce back. He mentioned, “We attacked in waves and waves in the first half and that is what we want to do. We are a bit fragile at the moment but my job is to give them confidence.”
Two-goal hero Ayunga reflected on the victory with pride, stating, “I didn’t see this going any other way. Not for a second did I think we were going to lose. Everyone was in it together.” His words echoed the spirit and determination that defined St Mirren’s performance throughout the tournament, ultimately leading them to lift the cup and create lasting memories for the fans and players alike. The cry of “faith over fear” resonated among St Mirren supporters, a testament to their unwavering belief in their team, and it was clear that the day belonged entirely to the Buddies, deserving champions of the 2025 Scottish League Cup.
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