St Mirren are winless in 15 meetings with Celtic, claiming victory from just three of their last 46 encounters.
The Hoops had won each of the last 15 domestic cup finals in which they had featured, prior to defeat in May's Scottish Cup Final against Aberdeen on penalties. The Celts have not tasted defeat in a League Cup Final since March 2012, beaten by Kilmarnock, hosting the trophy aloft on eight occasions subsequently.
St Mirren vs Celtic preview
Cup finals are always massive occasions, but perhaps this one even more so than usual, with St Mirren chasing history, while defeat for Celtic at Hampden on Sunday is absolutely unthinkable.
Wilfried Nancy took charge of Celtic for the very first time only a week ago, but has endured a nightmare start. Last weekend, the Hoops were beaten 2-1 by Hearts at home in a top of the table clash, a result that saw the Jambos move three points clear at the top of the Premiership table. Then, on Thursday night, the Celts were annihilated by Roma in the Europa League, 3-0 down by the break at a mutinous Parkhead. The fact that Arne Engels' penalty thwacked the post and Kelechi Ịheanachọ saw a goal disallowed for a marginal offside rather summed up the night.
So, Nancy has become the first manager in Celtic's 138-year history to lose his first two matches in charge, and another loss here would pile on the pressure already. Under interim boss Martin O'Neill, they won seven out of eight fixtures, including beating Rangers 3-1 in the League Cup semi-finals last month. This has only intensified the scrutiny on Nancy ahead of this cup final, so will the Frenchman be ridiculed or heroised at Hampden, hoping to parade a trophy around Mount Florida on Sunday?
Meantime, St Mirren supporters will surely feel they will never get a better opportunity to beat Celtic in a final. The Buddies have only ever won four major trophies before, picking up the Scottish Cup in 1926, '59 and '87, their sole League Cup triumph coming slightly more recently against Hearts in 2013. To reach a first final since then, Stephen Robinson's side topped Group D and then ousted both Hearts and Killie on penalties, before a dominant 4-1 victory over Motherwell in the semi-finals. Mikael Mandron bagging a brace, while Dan Nlundulu and Richard King also netted.
In the Premiership, the Buddies had been enduring a miserable eight match winless run, in which they'd accumulated a miserly two points. However, they claimed a first victory since 27 September last weekend, beating Dundee United 2-0 in Paisley, with Conor McMenamin and Keanu Baccus the scorers. The Saints have already met Celtic twice this season, on both occasions the Hoops requiring an late winner to prevail. Back on the opening day, Luke McCowan snatched the points with three minutes remaining, before Callum McGregor's 95th minute rocket was the difference a mere 22 days ago. So, this League Cup Final will be competitive, but can the Buddies add to Nancy's nightmare?
St Mirren vs Celtic head-to-head record
- Matches Played: 89.
- St Mirren Wins: 8. Draws: 10. Celtic Wins: 71.
St Mirren team news
Stephen Robinson has had more than a full week to prepare for this one, so can that help his cause?
Club captain Mark O'Hara has not featured since the semi-final win over Motherwell due to a foot injury, so faces a race against time to be available here.
In the absence of O'Hara, Australian international Keanu Baccus could return to midfield.
St Mirren predicted lineup vs Celtic: (3-5-2): George; Freckleton, King, Fraser; McMenamin, Gogić, Baccus, Phillips, John; Mandron, Ayunga.
St Mirren player to watch vs Celtic
Mikael Mandron has already scored seven goals in the League Cup this season, including a brace in the semi-final, although he's never netted in ten meetings with Celtic, so can he change that fact here?
Celtic team news
Wilfried Nancy has named identical lineups for both matches in charge thus far, but will surely tinker here. Well, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Alistair Johnston, Jota and semi-final hero Callum Osmand all remain sidelined, which certainly is not helping his cause.
In better news, Kelechi Ịheanachọ came off the bench on Thursday, his first appearance since 23 October due to a hamstring injury, looking sharp, so will he lead the line from the start this time?
Yang Hyun-jun and Sebastian Tounekti are likely to continue as the unconventional wing-backs in Nancy's 3-4-2-1, with Kieran Tierney part of an all left-footed back three.
Celtic predicted lineup vs St Mirren: (3-4-2-1): Schmeichel; Trusty, Scales, Tierney; Yang, McGregor, Hatate, Tounekti; Nygren, Maeda, Ịheanachọ.
Celtic player to watch vs St Mirren
Callum McGregor scored screamers against both St Mirren in Paisley and Rangers in the semi-finals during November, so will the captain get his hands on a 25th major trophy?
St Mirren vs Celtic prediction
As outlined, this League Cup Final will certainly not be a walkover, but we are backing Celtic to, just about, get the job done, a win Wilfried Nancy really needs on Sunday: St Mirren 1-2 Celtic.
St Mirren vs Celtic FAQs - Scottish League Cup Final
How to watch St Mirren vs Celtic in the League Cup Final on TV channel?
St Mirren vs Celtic in the League Cup Final will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: Premier Sports 1
- USA: CBS Sports Network & Paramount+
- Australia: beIN Sports 1
How to watch St Mirren vs Celtic in the League Cup Final on live streaming?
St Mirren vs Celtic in the League Cup Final will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: Premier Sports Player
- USA: Paramount+
- Australia: beIN Sports 1
What is the date and kick-off time for St Mirren vs Celtic in the League Cup Final?
St Mirren vs Celtic takes place on Sunday 14 December 2025, with kick off at 15:30 (GMT), 10:30 (ET) & 7:30 (PT).