Stephen Robinson would certainly have been very disappointed if his team had conceded a goal so early in the game, but their plan remained the same.

They sat deep in large numbers, trying to frustrate Celtic and exploit the counterattack when they won the ball.

The problem was that every time they won the ball back they were pressed by the relentless Celtic press and St Mirren’s two strikers, Toyosi Olusanya and Jonah Ayunga, were left isolated, reflected in the hosts’ only shot on goal in the first half.

Ayunga was replaced by Mikael Mandron at half-time, while Roland Idowu came on for Alex Gogic, and for a time Robinson’s side posed the greater threat.

Olusanya looked to be heading for goal but was denied by a superb tackle from Johnston, before Jaden Brown forced Kasper Schmeichel into his only save of the afternoon.

St Mirren’s season will not depend on results against Celtic, however, and Robinson will be encouraged by some aspects of his team’s defensive performance.

There were several last-minute tackles and blocks that kept the goal tally low and they appear to have a good goalkeeper in Ellery Balcombe. The battling qualities that characterised Robinson’s time as manager kept Celtic to just three goals.

They face Dundee at Dens Park on Saturday, seeking their first win in six games in all competitions.