Anthony Ralston summed up a chaotic afternoon at Hampden that saw Celtic book their place in the Scottish Cup final, but not without being pushed all the way. The full-back played a key role, scoring in the first half before watching the game swing back and forth.
Celtic started the match on the front foot. The early goal set the tone and their pressing forced mistakes. At that stage, it looked like a side in control, moving the ball quickly and keeping St Mirren pinned in.
That changed after the second goal. The tempo dropped and Celtic stopped going after the game in the same way. Passes went backwards more often and St Mirren were allowed to step higher up the pitch.
Once the goal went in early in the second half, the shift was clear. St Mirren attacked more directly, putting crosses into the box and forcing Celtic into defending their own area for longer spells.
Ralston said: (Celtic TV), “I felt we started the game strong.
“Everything that we set out to do was going well.
“Obviously, getting the early goal was massive for us.
“And then we had that period, where I felt after the first one slightly and then after the second goal, I felt we just went into a negative way of playing.
“But in the end, the boys showed terrific character.”
Ralston’s goal came at a point where Celtic needed control. His run into the box and finish off the bar gave them a cushion, but it didn’t settle the game in the way it might have.
The key moment after that was how Celtic reacted to pressure. They didn’t deal with it cleanly during normal time. The late equaliser came from that build-up rather than a single mistake.
Extra time was different. Once Celtic scored again, the game opened up. Players had space to run into, and the forward line started to attack the box with more purpose.
Ralston’s reflection on the performance points to that drop in intensity. When Celtic pressed and moved the ball forward, they caused problems. When that stopped, St Mirren found a way back.
The final against Dunfermline will likely be tighter. There won’t be the same space if the game stays level deep into it.
What Hampden showed is clear enough. Celtic can take control early, but they need to hold it for longer if they want a calmer afternoon next time.
