Robson penalty gives SPL champions Celtic a winning start

Celtic's Barry Robson celebrates his penalty winner with Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink

However, despite the three welcome points, the Hoops fans who turned up on opening day must have left dissatisfied by their side's lacklustre performance following the unfurling of the championship flag.

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 earlier this year, performed the ceremony, 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, who signed on a four-year deal from Barcelona.

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

However, most of the game was a dreadful anti-climax.

To the Celtic fans, St Mirren were simply there 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 Scott 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 Billy Mehmet.

In the 26th minute McDonald headed an Andreas Hinkel cross over the bar, typifying his early struggle as did the tame efforts from Scott Brown and Robson.

Moments later, Aiden McGeady lifted the fans by winning a corner with his first contribution of the game inside the St Mirren box when he took on Jack 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 the Englishman's right-footed shot was heading for the bottom corner of the net until the Poland international tipped it on to the post and away to safety.

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

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

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

After the Love Street stopper was sent off to compound his misery, Robson shot at Howard but the ball eventually bounced over the line, much to the relief of the former Dundee United player.

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

But 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 St Mirren substitute Mark McAusland, on for Garry Brady, headed over from new signing Tonet Gilerao'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 victory.