St. Mirren v Celtic: The Premier Sports Cup Final Preview

St. Mirren v Celtic: The Premier Sports Cup Final

Scotland’s first piece of major silverware this season is up for grabs at Hampden Park as League Cup holders Celtic take on St. Mirren for a chance to lift the Premier Sports Cup come full-time at the National Stadium.

The Buddies route to the final

St. Mirren are looking to win the trophy for only the second time in their history, after previously winning the competition back in 2013 when Scotland regulars John McGinn and Kenny McLean were crafting their trades with the Buddies. Stephen Robinson’s side had to navigate their way through the group stages back in July with wins over Forfar Athletic, Annan Athletic, Ayr United and a bonus point defeat on penalties to Arbroath. They had to defeat Premiership leaders Hearts on penalties in their first knockout tie and another win on penalties after an entertaining match at Rugby Park against Kilmarnock. However, at Hampden it was the Buddies Day after defeating Motherwell 4-1 at the National Stadium to secure their place in the final.

All the goals | @saintmirrenfc 🏁

From the Group Stage to the last two 🙌

Enjoy all 19 of the Buddies' strikes on their way to the #PremierSportsCup Final 🔥 pic.twitter.com/OJSKG7ypYs

— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) December 12, 2025

Celtic's route to the final

Celtic’s path to the final started under Brendan Rodgers in the second round with a comfortable home victory against Falkirk putting them through to the quarterfinals where they defeated Championship Partick Thistle at Firhill. Then at Hampden, after a change in dugout with Martin O’Neill taking the temporary reins for Celtic, they defeated Rangers in extra-time to book their passage to Sunday’s final.

All the goals | @CelticFC 🍀

Wins against Falkirk, Partick Thistle, and that Semi-Final against Rangers ✔️

Relive every time the Hoops scored on their way to the #PremierSportsCup Final 👊 pic.twitter.com/e45amgfPWL

— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) December 12, 2025

Pressure and history beckons

Sunday’s final will see Wilfried Nancy’s first visit to Hampden Park as Celtic manager and he’ll be hoping for better after his first two matches; A loss against Hearts in the Premiership another against Roma in the UEFA Europa League. There is some within the Celtic fanbase who say that Nancy, in only in his third game in charge of the club, is already under pressure.

Recent history does not bode well for St. Mirren, as they haven’t defeated Celtic in any of their last 15 meetings. However, their winless run in the league eventually came to an end last Saturday against Dundee United, and they'll be hoping to create more history for the club’s loyal supporters. They have the competition’s top scorer Mikael Mandron, who has scored seven goals including two in the semi-final against Motherwell. A win on Sunday would secure only their fifth major honour in their history.

What to expect?

It's hard to know what type of Celtic will turn up on Sunday. Under Martin O’Neill’s interim spell they won seven out of eight matches in all competition but defeats in Wilfried Nancy’s first two games has cast uncertainty onto the Celtic support. A defeat on Sunday only increases pressure on the former Colombus Crew head coach, but Celtic have some impressive form in the final of this competition; Their last defeat in a League Cup final came in 2012 when they lost to Kilmarnock, since then, they have all eight final they've been in.

This season, Celtic have won both games against St. Mirren, but both were tight and needed winners after the 88th minute. The Buddies were extremely unlucky in their last meeting back in November, when Callum McGregor won the game in the 95th minute with a screamer. Stephen Robinson side’s efforts could and probably should have reflected more.

🍀 Callum McGregor found Celtic’s winner in the 95TH MINUTE against St Mirren in what was his 540th appearance for the club ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/5XD0pHiPy9

— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) November 22, 2025

You won’t see a lot of changes from St. Mirren; They will be aggressive and well organised at Hampden and perhaps they will sense the opportunity against a Celtic side whose form has dipped. Wilfried Nancy has stuck to his guns in his first two matches, playing his preferred 3-4-3 formation. However, it will be interesting to see if he changes his approach for Sunday with some Celtic supporters hoping he reverts to the approach that worked well under O’Neill’s interim spell.

When you consider the history the players on show, Celtic will start as firm favourites. However, St. Mirren will sense that this is as good a time as ever to face Celtic in a one-off cup. Sunday could be interesting dramatic; For one team the Premier Sports Cup will be heading home, and for the other it will be despair and sorrow.

We're excited for the game, and we hope you are too.