Olivier Ntcham received a red card for a second bookable offence in the 37th minute
Celtic had to settle for a draw after Olivier Ntcham's first-half red card blotted an unconvincing display against a vibrant St Mirren in Paisley.
The Frenchman's needless second yellow card underlined the champions' unease as the hosts created the best chances.
Cammy Smith, Lee Hodson and Ryan Flynn all went close to giving boss Oran Kearney a dream start.
Celtic saw Dedryck Boyata's header cleared off the line, with the Belgian looping another late effort over.
Substitute Leigh Griffiths and Callum McGregor also wasted second-half chances in a lethargic display by Brendan Rodgers' side, who moved to within two points of early pace-setters Hearts.
But defeat would have been harsh on St Mirren, who were instantly galvanised under new manager Kearney after conceding 12 goals in their last four games under Alan Stubbs.
St Mirren's magical transformation
During the week the new St Mirren manager brought in a magician-cum-motivator called Rod Hogg to entertain his players and lighten the mood around them.
Hogg said he did a few tricks and conducted a bit of hypnosis. Not half. Compared to the error-ridden, soft touches of before, this was a stunning transformation.
In the first minute, Ryan Edwards clattered into Kieran Tierney. He got a booking, but he set an agenda. St Mirren, with five changes from their 4-1 loss to Hearts, worked like demons. They were organised and energetic, they were committed and dangerous. There was a clarity about them all night. Celtic were troubled from early on.
Ntcham committed two fouls before he finally got booked, then committed another, then another, a ridiculous lunge on Stephen McGinn seven minutes before the end of the half that brought a deserved red card.
By then Kearney's team had created five reasonable chances. Craig Gordon punched clear from Smith's free-kick, Flynn headed over, Gordon saved again from Smith, Jack Baird fired wide and Hodson had his low drive tipped away by the Celtic goalkeeper.
The visitors had one chance, a Boyata header from a corner that was cleared off the line by Flynn.
The hosts had a numerical advantage and they warranted a goals advantage, too. They did not just contain Celtic in that opening half. They were better than them.
The champions changed things soon after, Griffiths replacing debutant Filip Benkovic.
Griffiths joined Odsonne Edouard up front for much of the rest of the game. Instead of playing to win, St Mirren were pushed back and played not to lose. This was bodies behind the ball and bodies on the line.
Celtic just were not good enough to break St Mirren's new-found resolve. Callum McGregor had a big chance with six minutes left but his shot could not beat Craig Samson, while Griffiths did find the net in injury-time, but was flagged offside.
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Line-ups
Match Stats
Live Text
Line-ups
St Mirren
1Samson
2McGinn
35FerdinandSubstituted forMacPhersonat 73'minutes
15Baird
21Hodson
4McGinn
8Flynn
7Magennis
10SmithSubstituted forCoulsonat 78'minutes
27EdwardsBooked at 2mins
18MullenSubstituted forWillockat 87'minutes
Substitutes
3Coulson
14Kirkpatrick
19Jones
22Willock
28MacPherson
39Erhahon
46Muir
Celtic
1Gordon
35Ajer
32BenkovicSubstituted forGriffithsat 60'minutes
20Boyata
49Forrest
8BrownBooked at 79mins
21NtchamBooked at 37mins
63Tierney
42McGregor
18RogicBooked at 70mins
22EdouardSubstituted forChristieat 87'minutes
Substitutes
9Griffiths
11Sinclair
17Christie
23Lustig
27Mulumbu
29Bain
73Johnston
Referee:
Andrew Dallas
Attendance:
7,288
Match Stats
Home TeamSt MirrenAway TeamCeltic
Possession
Home38%
Away62%
Shots
Home6
Away13
Shots on Target
Home2
Away4
Corners
Home4
Away5
Fouls
Home9
Away18
Live Text
Posted at
Match ends, St. Mirren 0, Celtic 0.
Full TimePosted at 90'+4'
Second Half ends, St. Mirren 0, Celtic 0.
Posted at 90'+2'
Attempt saved. Ryan Christie (Celtic) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
Posted at 90'+1'
Foul by Kyle Magennis (St. Mirren).
Posted at 90'+1'
Scott Brown (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Posted at 90'
Attempt missed. Dedryck Boyata (Celtic) header from the centre of the box is just a bit too high following a corner.
Posted at 89'
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Jack Baird.
Posted at 88'
Attempt saved. James Forrest (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
SubstitutionPosted at 87'
Substitution, Celtic. Ryan Christie replaces Odsonne Edouard.
SubstitutionPosted at 87'
Substitution, St. Mirren. Matty Willock replaces Daniel Mullen.
Posted at 86'
Foul by Stephen McGinn (St. Mirren).
Posted at 86'
James Forrest (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 85'
Attempt saved. Callum McGregor (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Posted at 81'
Attempt missed. Callum McGregor (Celtic) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box misses to the right.
BookingPosted at 79'
Scott Brown (Celtic) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Posted at 79'
Daniel Mullen (St. Mirren) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 79'
Foul by Scott Brown (Celtic).
SubstitutionPosted at 78'
Substitution, St. Mirren. Hayden Coulson replaces Cameron Smith.
SubstitutionPosted at 73'
Substitution, St. Mirren. Cameron MacPherson replaces Anton Ferdinand.
Posted at 73'
Foul by Jack Baird (St. Mirren).
Posted at 73'
Odsonne Edouard (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 72'
Attempt missed. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) right footed shot from very close range is too high.
BookingPosted at 70'
Tomas Rogic (Celtic) is shown the yellow card.
Posted at 70'
Hand ball by Daniel Mullen (St. Mirren).
Posted at 69'
Daniel Mullen (St. Mirren) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 69'
Foul by Dedryck Boyata (Celtic).
Posted at 67'
Daniel Mullen (St. Mirren) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 67'
Foul by Dedryck Boyata (Celtic).
Posted at 64'
Attempt missed. Kieran Tierney (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right.
Posted at 62'
Attempt blocked. Kristoffer Ajer (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Posted at 62'
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Ryan Flynn.
SubstitutionPosted at 60'
Substitution, Celtic. Leigh Griffiths replaces Filip Benkovic.
Posted at 55'
Cameron Smith (St. Mirren) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 55'
Foul by Tomas Rogic (Celtic).
Posted at 53'
Corner, St. Mirren. Conceded by Filip Benkovic.
Posted at 51'
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Posted at 50'
Delay in match Tomas Rogic (Celtic) because of an injury.
Posted at 49'
Daniel Mullen (St. Mirren) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 49'
Foul by Odsonne Edouard (Celtic).
Posted at 49'
Ryan Edwards (St. Mirren) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Source: bbc.com