Robson scored after Vennegoor of Hesselink won the penalty

Celtic got their defence of the Scottish Premier League title off to a winning start thanks to a controversial Barry Robson penalty against St Mirren.

The Buddies had matched their more illustrious opponents during a first half of few chances.

But referee Eddie Smith ruled that Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink had been held back by defender Will Haining when the striker was through on goal.

Haining was sent off and Robson's spot kick spun over the line off the keeper.

The widow of the late Celtic coach Tommy Burns, who died from cancer in May, had raised the championship flag ahead of kick-off as Celtic made an emotional start to their title defence.

Rosemary Burns was aided by team captain Stephen McManus, who had recovered from a groin problem to take his place in a now-familiar starting line-up from which injured midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura was the only absentee.

St Mirren manager Gus MacPherson selected just Billy Mehmet up front, a defensive formation perhaps dictated as much by the absence through injury of the influential Andy Dorman, Gary Mason and Craig Dargo as a desire to frustrate their hosts.

But, although Celtic started with a bit of flag-waving gusto, it was the visitors who were first to find the target, with Garry Brady and Stephen McGinn firing long-range efforts at Artur Boruc that the goalkeeper nevertheless dealt with fairly comfortably.

Celtic were also being restricted to long range apart from a head flick from Scott McDonald from an Andreas Hinkel cross that ended up going over the crossbar.

The first half closed with the Glasgow side having given the 60,000 crowd little to cheer following the pre-match euphoria.

There was some concern in the St Mirren dressing-room over the fitness Tom Brighton, making his competitive debut for the club along with Jack Ross, but the former Clyde and Millwall striker emerged again after the break.

It was the Celtic defence who were doing the worrying as the second half started, Stephen O'Donnell setting up Mehmet on the edge of the box and the striker's side-footed drive would have found the net had Boruc's outstretched hand not turned the ball on to a post.

Celtic responded immediately and Gary Caldwell ought to have done better than head straight at Howard from 12 yards after being found unmarked at a free-kick.

Vennegoor of Hesselink had half-hearted claims for a penalty waved away after a chase with Howard to a slack Ross pass-back.

But Celtic's Dutch striker won the spot kick that led to the deadlock being broken after 62 minutes.

Vennegoor of Hesselink pounced when the Buddies defence failed to deal with a long ball through the heart of the defence and poked the ball wide of the post under pressure from Haining.

Referee Smith decided that the striker had been tugged from behind by the defender, who was shown a red card, although television pictures suggested that there had been little contact.

Howard saved Robson's spot kick with his legs but could not prevent the ball spinning a matter of inches over the line before the goalkeeper swiped it clear.

The 10-man Buddies almost equalised immediately, but an O'Donnell snap-shot flew wide of the far post.

Celtic should have gone two ahead, but Vennegoor of Hesselink headed wide from 10 yards.

St Mirren remained a threat and substitute Marc McAusland sent a header just over, but it was Celtic who took all three points after a victory that was more workmanlike than inspired.

Celtic: Boruc, Hinkel, Caldwell, McManus, Naylor, Robson, Scott Brown, Hartley, McGeady, Vennegoor of Hesselink, McDonald.
Subs: Mark Brown, Samaras, Wilson, Donati, O'Dea, Caddis, McGowan.

St Mirren: Howard, Ross, Haining, Potter, Miranda, Murray, Brady, O'Donnell, McGinn, Mehmet, Brighton.
Subs: Smith, Wyness, Gilerao, Hamilton, Barron, McAusland, McCay.

Referee: E Smith