{
  "id": 6489357,
  "title": "Celtic extend flawless start to Scottish title defence",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/celtic-extend-flawless-start-to-scottish-title-defence",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-09T22:44:47.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/sports/2026/09/10/celtic-extend-flawless-start-to-scottish-title-defence"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Celtic secured their flawless start to the Scottish Premiership title race by defeating St Johnstone 1-0 at McDiarmid Park, with German midfielder Mika Baur scoring the opening goal in the 52nd minute. The victory marked Celtic's 13th consecutive win, stretching back to the end of last season. Celtic boss Martin O'Neill showcased the depth of his squad, with key players Camilo Duran, Benjamin Nygren, and Kieran Tierney starting on the bench, while defender Cameron Carter-Vickers rested due to stiffness. Although not their best, Celtic's performance was sufficient to maintain their five-point lead over Rangers. Rangers kept pace with a 1-0 win over St Mirren, with Macedonian forward Bojan Miovski scoring a dramatic last-gasp goal in the final seconds of normal time. Rangers' boss Derek McInnes watched on after serving a two-game touchline suspension. Rangers, however, are without their captain Lawrence Shankland for three to four months due to a hamstring injury, joining Portuguese striker Youssef Chermiti, who is out long-term with a knee injury. Nonetheless, Rangers managed to secure four successive victories in the league.",
  "summary": "Martin O'Neill's side move five points clear of second-placed Rangers with a hard-fought 1-0 win at St Johnstone.",
  "key_points": [
    "Celtic wins 1-0 against St Johnstone, extending flawless start",
    "Mika Baur scores opening goal in 52nd minute",
    "Rangers also wins 1-0 against St Mirren, but without Shankland"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Celtic extend flawless start to Scottish title defence",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/celtic-extend-flawless-start-to-scottish-title-defence-6492376",
        "published": "2026-09-09T22:44:47.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}