Here's our verdict on how the players fared at Hampden:

ST MIRREN

CRAIG SAMSON: Looked assured and handled everything thrown at him - including a decent save to deny Mulgrew from the penalty spot. 8/10.

GRAHAM CAREY: A competent display from the full-back. 7.

DAVID VAN ZANTEN: Did all that was asked of him and helped restrict Celtic's chances in front of goal. 7.

MARC McAUSLAND: Calm and assured, he was also the provider for Thompson's goal that sealed the win. 7.

JOHN McGINN: Impressive display in the middle of the park where he had a huge impact, one of the Paisley side's star men. 8.

JIM GOODWIN: A solid performance in the heart of defence from the Saints skipper, who had a harsh handball penalty decision given against him. 8.

CONOR NEWTON: The on-loan Newcastle midfielder was far from overawed by the occasion and set up the opener with a lovely pass for Goncalves. 7.

ESMAEL GONCALVES: A memorable debut for the on-loan Portuguese striker, who grabbed an early opener and looked strong going forward. 8.

STEVEN THOMPSON: Worked tirelessly and was rewarded with the goal that effectively put the tie beyond Celtic. 9.

PAUL McGOWAN: Kept his cool to send the goalkeeper the wrong way from the penalty spot to restore St Mirren's lead. 8.

GARY TEALE: Involved in much of the action, the veteran patrolled the flanks, won a penalty and tried his luck on goal. 7.

SUBSTITUTES

DAVID BARRON (McGinn, 76): No real influence on the game. 3.

LEE MAIR (McGowan, 89): No time to make an impact. 3.

LEWIS GUY (Goncalves, 90): No time to make an impact. 3.

CELTIC

LUKASZ ZALUSKA: Deputising for injured number one Fraser Forster, he looked nervous at times and was left picking the ball out of the net three times. 5.

ADAM MATTHEWS: The full-back failed to get forward enough and support the front players. 6.

EMILIO IZAGUIRRE: Made a few decent runs down the flanks and delivered some teasing balls early on, but drifted out of the game. 6.

KELVIN WILSON: Hampden once again proved to be an unlucky venue for the defender, who endured his third defeat at the national stadium on a poor day for the Hoops. 6.

SCOTT BROWN: The Hoops skipper worked hard and attempted to lead by example and drive his team-mates on. One of Celtic's better performers. 7.

GEORGIOS SAMARAS: Largely ineffective in front of goal, his main contribution was a header that bounced off the crossbar in the first half. 6.

LASSAD: Poor first touch and passing in the first half, he won Celtic the second half penalty they failed to convert before being replaced by Commons. 6.

JOE LEDLEY: Could have pulled a goal back with a header late on but did not have enough of an influence. 6.

CHARLIE MULGREW: Failed to convert with a poor penalty before conceding a spot-kick that allowed Saints to restore their lead. Netted with the last kick of the ball. 6.

VICTOR WANYAMA: Lacked his usual bite and drive in the middle of the park and was replaced by Lustig midway through the second half. 6.

GARY HOOPER: Struck the crossbar before bringing his tally for the season to 23 goals when he grabbed the leveller a minute before the break. 7.

SUBSTITUTES:

KRIS COMMONS (Lassad, 64): Added a bit of spark but not enough to rescue the tie. 4.

ANTHONY STOKES (Samaras, 74): No real impact 3.

MIKAEL LUSTIG (Wanyama, 74): Failed to have a real influence. 3.