Stars Abroad: Joseph Okumu impresses in Reims' draw against Mason Greenwood's Marseille as Ayunga fires blanks in Celtic defeat

Stars Abroad: Joseph Okumu impresses in Reims' draw against Mason Greenwood's Marseille as Ayunga fires blanks in Celtic defeat

Mark Kinyanjui 11:47 - 26.08.2024

Ayunga featured for 45 minutes but could not help St. Mirren overcome Celtic in a heavy defeat inflicted on Stephen Robinson's men on Sunday, while Joseph Okumu helped Reims labour to draw against Mason Greenwood's Marseille.

Kenyan striker Jonah Ayunga played 45 minutes but could not help St. Mirren avoid defeat to defending champions Celtic in a Scottish Premier League match.

Celtic's impressive start to the season continued with a comprehensive 3-0 win over St. Mirren at the SMISA Stadium on Sunday evening.

Ayunga was part of coach Stephen Robinson's starting eleven but was substituted at the start of the second half to make way for Mikael Mandron.

Although the lanky striker has featured in all three of St. Mirren's matches this season, he has yet to play a full game and has struggled in front of goal, failing to score or assist since the start of the campaign.

Celtic captain Callum McGregor fired the visitors ahead inside three minutes, and his fellow midfielder Reo Hatate added a second in the 33rd minute.

Defender Alistair Johnston swept in a third in the 71st minute, completing a convincing victory for the champions.

Brendan Rodgers’ side has won all four games this season, scoring 12 goals and conceding just one, heading into next Sunday’s Old Firm game against Rangers at Parkhead with supreme confidence.

Despite their effort, St. Mirren fell short and have now lost four games in a row.

Saints were knocked out of the Premier Sports Cup last week by Dundee United and will need to improve before their next match.

The defeat leaves St. Mirren eighth in the league on three points after three games, having won one match and lost two.

In France, Joseph Okumu featured prominently at the heart of Reims’ defense as they settled for a 2-2 draw against Roberto De Zerbi’s Marseille.

Mason Greenwood salvaged a point for Marseille with his third French league goal of the season in a 2-2 draw against Reims at the Vélodrome on Sunday.

Despite taking an early lead through Amine Harit, Marseille’s defense faltered as Reims went ahead with goals from Yaya Kader Fofana and Sergio Akieme.

Greenwood had scored twice in his debut for Marseille in a 5-1 victory over Brest in their league opener. The former Manchester United forward made a controversial move to Marseille this summer.

In Sweden, Timothy Ouma played no part in Elfsborg’s 3-1 win over Goteberg as he was serving a suspension after receiving a red card in their previous league clash against Mjalby.