Socceroo Scott McDonald spurned a great chance to score a rare hat-trick overnight by missing a late penalty as Celtic eased past St Mirren 3-1 in the SPL.The out-of-favour Australian Socceroo had an eventful day, somehow ending up with his name only once on the referee's scorecard.
After putting an early volley over, McDonald made amends for the miss when he shot across his body and past St Mirren keeper Paul Gallacher on 38 minutes.
But the goal was given as an own goal by the referee, after McDonald's shot took a slight deflection off former Sydney FC trialist Chris Innes. It certainly seemed one for the dubious goals panel.
Georgios Samaras doubled Celtic's lead four minutes before Michael Higdon reduced the deficit just on half-time.
But McDonald sealed the result for the Hoops on 61 minutes and this time his goal wasn't in doubt.
The classy Aiden McGeady did well down the right to set up McDonald at the front post for a close-range finish past Gallacher.
And the Australian might have had another late on from the penalty spot after a confusing incident.
Innes blatantly handballed in the box and was given a yellow card by the referee, who mistakenly thought it was the defender's second booking prompting him to send him to stands.
But the ref realized his error and recalled Innes with McDonald eagerly waiting to take the spotkick.
And after all the confusion, McDonald saw his effort from the spot saved by Gallacher before the Saints stopper blocked the Aussie's follow-up shot.
Speaking after the game, McDonald rued the miss but claimed the two goals. "Someone told me that the first goal was an own goal and I gave him a strange look," he said. "It took a little nick off him but it was going in.
"The missed penalty will ruin my night even though it was a good performance. But the second save was very good. It is nice to get two goals, especially at Celtic Park.''
Celtic return to the summit of the Scottish Premier League after Rangers slipped up 1-0 at Aberdeen and the Aussie acknowledged the Old Firm were struggling for consistency this term.
"Consistency is the key in this league. There is none of that going on," McDonald admitted. "Ourselves and Rangers keeping giving each other a lifeline. It's us one week and them the next.
"One club is in turmoil one week and then it is the other. If we had had a good run in the league then by now we would be away from the rest.''
Elsewhere overnight, Brett Holman was another Aussie to find the back of the net, helping AZ Alkmaar claim a 2-0 win over VVV Venlo in the Dutch Eredivisie.
With his side leading 1-0, Holman ran onto a headed ball forward just after the break and produced a nice shot into the top right corner for his goal.
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