STARS ABROAD: Ayunga nets brace as St Mirren shock Celtic to win first cup since 2013

Harambee Stars striker Jonah Ayunga was the hero as St. Mirren ended their 12-year wait for a title after beating Celtic 3-1 to lift the Premier Sports Cup at Hampden on Sunday, 14 December.

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Ayunga, who a day to the game spoke of how he did not see himself playing in such a contest, came up with two big second-half goals to lead The Buddies to only their second cup victory in history.

The burly striker, who joined Stephen Robinson’s side in June 2022, was first on the scoresheet in the 64th minute, when he leapt high into the air to head in an Alex Gogic toe-poke, giving St. Mirren a 2-1 lead.

The 28-year-old would later add a second in the 76th minute after getting to the end of a quick counter-attack, and finishing past a hapless and exposed Kasper Schmeichel.

The goal, which Ayunga celebrated by taking his shirt off before being mobbed by his teammates, gave St.Mirren a healthy cushion against Scottish giants Celtic, who lost their third game in a row under new coach Wilfried Nancy.

Out with the hope of lifting their first League Cup since 2013, St.Mirren took the lead after 120 seconds through Marcus Fraser, before Reo Hatate equalized for Celtic in the 23rd minute.

A fairly balanced game was then turned around its head in the second half by Ayunga, who walked off to a loud and deserved standing ovation with nine minutes of play left.

The trophy, which will dominate the headlines in Scotland, was significant on a personal level for Ayunga, who admitted pre-game that his silverware only included trophies he won in the under-8s.

Three years ago, he doubted whether he had a future at the club after suffering an ACL injury, now he is the talk of town, and a new hero in Paisley.

Call it dreamland, and not just for him.