St Mirren's Gogic hits out at own fans over keeper abuse

St Mirren defender Alex Gogic has described as "disgraceful" and "disgusting" abuse goalkeeper Ryan Mullen has received from their own fans following the Paisley side's 6-2 Scottish Cup semi-final defeat by Celtic on Sunday.

A mistake by Mullen, who was starting after first-choice Shamal George was injured in training, handed Celtic a first-minute opening goal at Hampden - and the 24-year-old then went off injured after 15 minutes.

It left interim manager Craig McLeish having to throw 17-year-old Grant Tamosevicius into the action for his first-team debut.

"I have seen some disgraceful tweets about Ryan Mullen after the game yesterday," 32-year-old Cyprus international Gogic said on X.

Media caption,

Highlights: Celtic 6-2 St Mirren

"Ryan is a top goalkeeper and gives everything on and off the pitch and by no means did he want to leave the pitch yesterday. Every player makes mistakes. It comes with the job and I've made plenty."

After Daizen Maeda charged down Mullen's attempted clearance for the opener, Anthony Ralston fired Celtic two ahead shortly before half-time.

A Mikael Mandron double forced extra time, but Celtic then scored four times in six minutes to secure a place in the final against second-tier Dunfermline Athletic.

However, there were some angry posts directed at former Celtic youth Mullen, who signed from local rivals Greenock Morton last summer.

"Unfortunately for Ryan yesterday, he was unable to play on despite persevering at first," Gogic said in response.

"He does not deserve any of the negativity or accusations he is getting. It's disgusting.

"I'm so disappointed that [the] majority is from our own fans. As a club, we win together and lose together."

Partick Thistle forward Tony Watt, himself a former Celtic player, also took to social media to defend Mullen.

"The boy for St Mirren makes a mistake (natural thing when asked to play from the back)," he said on X. "Ends up getting injured (fact) then proceeds to get abuse on Twitter? Are people genuinely ok?

"Add in the fact he's the second choice who won't be match fit. Mistakes happen."

Meanwhile, St Mirren chairman John Needham paid tribute to teenager Tamosevicius.

"He should very proud of how he handled the occasion," he said on X. "What an experience for him.

"Made some key saves and couldn't have prevented the Celtic goals."

However, manager McLeish admitted that Mullen's injury could force St Mirren to consider signing another goalkeeper on an emergency loan as they enter the final five games of the Premiership season just two points clear of the relegation play-off spot.

The club is awaiting a scan on a pulled muscle that Mullen said he felt when making his ill-fated clearance and, with George also injured and Peter Urminsky on loan to Glentoran, it could leave Tamosevicius as St Mirren's only available goalkeeper.