Danny Lennon praised Paul McGowan for the way he responded to gifting Celtic's crucial second goal in a 2-0 defeat.
Others sides may have rolled over and been thumped, says Lennon
St Mirren boss Danny Lennon praised midfielder Paul McGowan for the way he responded to gifting Celtic's crucial second goal in Sunday's defeat.
After hitting a sixth minute opener, Gary Hooper grabbed his second on 12 minutes after capitalising on a misplaced pass as McGowan tried to play the ball out of defence.
But Buddies boss Lennon insists the former Celtic player redeemed himself for the rest of the game at St Mirren Park.
"It was a self-destructive start and I will take full responsibility for that," he said. "That's the way I want my players to play and as long as they learn from that we will progress.
"Even with the mistake Paul McGowan makes, I thought his character and the way went about his business in the 80 minutes after that was terrific.
"It is very easy to be on the end of a real going over against the Old Firm when you are 2-0 down early but the boys stuck together, they didn't bend or break.
'Beautiful game'
"Fans can be forgiving if you are trying to play the beautiful game and we will try to play beautiful football on a weekly basis.
"I thought the fans were terrific in the way they got behind their team."
McGowan admitted culpability but insists he and the rest of the Saints players will continue to try to play football.
"I will take full responsibility," he said. "I was happy with my performance but that (mistake) is at the back of my mind.
"But I am big enough and strong enough to get on with it. That won't change the way we play, I don't see why. The boys are loving it.
"I had a chance after and Forster made a great save and if that goes in then we could have had them on the ropes."
