With seconds left on the clock and the weight of a title race pressing down, Callum McGregor did what only captains do — he delivered. The Celtic Football Club captain struck a stunning left-footed curler past St Mirren Football Club goalkeeper Shamal George in the 94th minute, sealing a 1-0 victory at St Mirren Park on Saturday, November 22, 2025. It wasn’t pretty. It wasn’t dominant. But it was enough. And in the Scottish Premiership, where margins are razor-thin, that’s often all you need.

A Night of Near Misses and Controversy

Celtic’s performance was, by their own standards, sluggish. For 90 minutes, they struggled to impose themselves. St Mirren Football Club, under manager Steven Robertson, sat deep, absorbed pressure, and looked dangerous on the counter. The most controversial moment came at the 277-second mark, when St Mirren Football Club forward Conor McMenamin appeared to score from a low cross by Declan John. But the goal was disallowed. Why? Referee ruled McMenamin — clearly offside — had interfered with play by distracting Celtic Football Club defender Liam Scales, who accidentally diverted the ball into his own net. The decision sparked furious protests from the 7,937 fans at Love Street, Paisley. BBC Sportscene’s analysis called it "a textbook offside interference call," but fans on social media questioned whether the referee had seen the full picture.

The Captain Steps Up

For all their lack of fluency, Celtic kept pushing. Callum McGregor, 32, the club’s longest-serving current player and captain since 2018, was everywhere — tracking back, pressing, trying to ignite something. He had one clear chance in the 67th minute, but his curler from 20 yards was smothered by George. Then, with the clock ticking past 93:00, the moment arrived. A loose ball in the box, scrambled by St Mirren’s defense, fell to McGregor just outside the six-yard box. No time to think. No space to maneuver. Just a quick shift of weight, a left foot, and a shot that kissed the inside of the post before nestling into the net. The stadium fell silent. Celtic’s bench exploded. The captain sprinted toward the corner flag, arms wide, screaming into the night.

"It’s a big moment," McGregor said in his post-match interview. "We spoke about coming out of this week with maximum points. That’s the first one. We weren’t able to create as many chances as we’d like. But we’ve done this before — late winners, late saves. It’s part of who we are now. It galvanizes the group. It tells everyone: we’re still here."

Why This Goal Matters More Than the Scoreline

This win didn’t just give Celtic three points — it kept them alive in the title race. They now sit four points behind leaders Heart of Midlothian FC, with a game in hand. But the context is deeper. Celtic began the season with three losses in their first five games — a rare stumble for a club that has won nine of the last 11 league titles. Their attacking play has been inconsistent. Their midfield has looked disjointed. Yet, in crunch moments, McGregor has become their talisman. This was his third goal of the season — and his second in the 90+ minute window. The first? A 92nd-minute equalizer against St Mirren on the opening day of this campaign. Last season, James Forrest netted a late equalizer against them at Celtic Park. Now, McGregor has added his name to the list.

"It’s déjà vu," wrote fan RonnieJ67 on YouTube. "St Mirren always find a way to make us suffer. But they can’t stop us when it counts."

What This Means for the Title Race

With Hearts holding a slim lead, every point is now a battle. Celtic’s next three fixtures — away to Rangers, home to Aberdeen, then away to Dundee United — are all winnable, but none are guaranteed. The pressure is mounting. And while McGregor’s goal kept them in the hunt, it also exposed a troubling trend: Celtic are winning, but not playing well. Their xG (expected goals) for this match was just 0.7 — the lowest of any game since August. They’re relying on moments of individual brilliance rather than sustained pressure. That’s a dangerous habit against top teams.

"They’ve got the heart, but do they have the structure?" asked former Celtic midfielder Darren Jackson on Sky Sports. "McGregor is a warrior, but you can’t win a league on one man’s magic. They need to fix their transition play. Otherwise, Hearts will pull away before Christmas."

The Legacy of the Moment

Callum McGregor has been with Celtic Football Club since he was 15. He’s played 527 games. He’s won 12 domestic trophies. He’s captained the team through European nights and domestic domination. But this goal — this 94th-minute winner in front of a stunned Paisley crowd — might be the one that defines his legacy. Not because it was the prettiest. Not because it was the most important statistically. But because it was the most Celtic thing imaginable: gritty, imperfect, and delivered when no one else could.