"You get a head of steam up in a game and normally you get the atmosphere crackling. It gives the players a lift and there is none of that at the minute. Subconsciously that is a big miss for them, especially at a big club like ours."
The absence of fans is having a "detrimental effect"
The absence of fans is having a “detrimental effect” on Celtic, said manager Neil Lennon after his side’s Scottish Premiership win at St Mirren.
Celtic closed to within three points of leaders Rangers thanks to headers from Shane Duffy and James Forrest after Lee Erwin’s early opener.
Odsonne Edouard’s penalty miss denied the visitors a more comfortable win.
With games held behind closed doors due to Covid-19, Lennon says the lack of atmosphere is “really difficult”.
The Celtic boss added: “When you’re piling on the pressure, you get this intensity and roar from the crowd, which is what we’re all missing.
Lennon’s side overtake Hibernian in second on goal difference and have a game in hand on Rangers, while St Mirren remain seventh.
Celtic were rarely troubled after repairing the damage of their sloppy start, but it was far from a vintage performance.
St Mirren’s emergency loan signing Zdenek Zlamal, in his second appearance for the Paisley club, excelled with several fine saves.
Few gave Jim Goodwin’s men a hope of beating Celtic for the first time in the league for 10 years, but they stunned the champions three minutes in. Jamie McGrath swung in a corner, Joe Shaughnessy glanced it on, and Erwin scrambled home.
But two goals in a 15-minute spell – both crafted by Ryan Christie – turned the game.
Duffy’s aerial prowess is hardly a secret weapon, yet the Ireland centre-back was left unmarked to plant a header beyond Zlamal from an inswinging free-kick for his second goal in as many games.
Christie’s next assist was superb, and matched by the quality of finish, as Forrest met the midfielder’s deep cross from the left with an unstoppable header.
St Mirren had a penalty shout ignored when a free-kick struck Duffy’s arm, and Erwin sent a dipping second-half drive narrowly over the bar.
And although Celtic were dominant, they couldn’t find the comfort of a third goal. Edouard should have provided it after Christie was felled by McGrath, but his spot-kick was too close to Zlamal, who got down smartly.
Original article 17.09.20 on the BBC Sport website.
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