Celtic 1 St Mirren 0: Barry Robson's scrappy second-half penalty got Celtic off to a winning start in the defence of their Scottish Premier League title against St Mirren at Parkhead.
After coping with the champions for most of the game with some ease, Will Haining was adjudged by referee Eddie Smith to have fouled Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink inside the box on the hour mark.
After the Saints defender was shown a red card for his troubles, Robson slammed the spot-kick against Mark Howard and then gratefully watched it bounce over the line before the Love Street keeper could recover.
St Mirren manager Gus MacPherson refused to "give the limelight" to referee Smith after the controversial decision to award a penalty.
Haining did not appear to initiate contact with the Celtic striker, who tried to hold off his opponent before sliding a shot past the post.
But, in a week when referees secured a review of their pay after demanding at least €1000 per SPL game, MacPherson chose his words carefully.
"There is no point in speaking about referees — they like the attention," MacPherson said. "I think other people need to comment on it because people are watching how managers react.
"When you hear of referees' summits with managers' pictures up on screens, talking about individual managers, you shake your head and wonder what is going on in the game.
"But I refuse to comment and give the limelight to the referee. I will talk about St Mirren players. I thought the St Mirren players were outstanding from the first minute to the last."
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