2009-10-25: Hamilton Academical 1-2 Celtic, SPL

Match Pictures | Matches: 2009 – 2010 | 2009-2010 Pictures

Trivia

  • Celtic go 1pt back in front after Rangers drew 1-1 v Hibs the previous day
  • Boruc out injured; Brown Dropped.
  • Hinkel back from injury.
  • Players hand out 'give racism the red card' posters beforehand.

Review

A game of two halves bizarrely. We totally controlled the first game but made little of the second half allowing poorly hamilton a chance to steal points off us. The weather was attrocious (torrential rain) but the play was still quite fair. Mowbray acted tough and dropped Brown; Boruc was out injured. Interesting hard decision which his predecessor was loathe to do with any of his favourites.

First half with two goals with maloney scoring with a scissor kick from a great cross by Hinkel. Skippy added a second to get the pressure off him from some sections with Samaras partly involved in the goal.

Second half and little good to say. We sqaundered our advatage and let hamilton in who scored from some action from a set piece. They were unfortunate not to get the second they almost derserved following a cracking save from golie Zaluska.

We've got to start picking up our act. We're back on top as huns dropped pts to Hibs at home, but on this form we'll be dropping pts more than we should also.

Teams

Hamilton

  • 01Cerny
  • 02McClenahan; (Evans 84)
  • 03Hastings
  • 04Canning
  • 06McLaughlin
  • 25Elebert; (Beuzelin 66)
  • 07Wesolowski
  • 08McArthur
  • 27Mensing
  • 09Antoine-Curier
  • 21Marco Paixao; (Kirkpatrick 39)

Substitutes

  • 19Murdoch,
  • 15Andrews,
  • 12Evans,
  • 35Beuzelin,
  • 10Neil,
  • 28Kirkpatrick,
  • 30Gow

Goals

  • Antoine-Curier 83

Celtic

  • 24Zaluska
  • 02Hinkel
  • 03Naylor
  • 04McManus
  • 05Caldwell
  • 19Robson; yellow card
  • 27Zhi
  • 46McGeady; yellow card; (McCourt 67)
  • 07McDonald; (Crosas 73)
  • 09Samaras
  • 13Maloney; (McGinn 73)

Substitutes

  • 47Cervi,
  • 12Wilson,
  • 38Thompson,
  • 52Caddis,
  • 14McGinn,
  • 17Crosas,
  • 20McCourt

Goals

  • Maloney 15
  • McDonald 29
Ref: Brines
Att: 4,689

Articles

Pictures

KStreet

MOTM

25th Oct 09, Hamilton 1-2 Celtic, SPL, Andreas Hinkel

Stats

Possession

  • Hamilton 48%
  • Celtic 52%

Shots on target

  • Hamilton 6
  • Celtic 7

Shots off target

  • Hamilton 3
  • Celtic 3

Corners

  • Hamilton 5
  • Celtic 3

Fouls

  • Hamilton 17
  • Celtic 18

Articles

Hamilton 1-2 Celtic

BBC
By Martin Conaghan

Celtic returned to the top of the Scottish Premier League table with a hard-fought victory over Hamilton.

Shaun Maloney's scissor-kick in the 15th minute gave the visitors the lead after a drab opening period.

Celtic doubled their lead after 29 minutes when Scott McDonald fired past keeper Tomas Cerny from close range.

Mickael Antoine-Curier grabbed a consolation for Hamilton in the 83rd minute when he flicked home James McArthur's shot but Celtic held on.

Lukasz Zaluska replaced the injured Artur Boruc in goal for the visitors, while Hamilton manager Billy Reid kept faith with the side that drew with Dundee United last week.

Following a dreary opening 15 minutes, the match sparked into life with a well-worked move orchestrated by Celtic defender Andreas Hinkel down the right-hand side.

The German crossed for Maloney to attempt a scissor-kick from six yards, and he arrowed a shot past Cerny to open the scoring.

Hamilton responded with Antoine-Curier going close with a 30-yard drive which was well held by Zaluska.

Moments later, Simon Mensing looked to take advantage of some sloppy Celtic defending but he blasted a right-foot shot from the edge of the box over the bar.

Gary Caldwell's clever pass from the half-way line sent Aiden McGeady free and he crossed for China captain Zheng Zhi but he sent his shot over the bar.

Hamilton's defence was left standing in the 29th minute when Georgios Samaras was tackled on the edge of the area by James McArthur and the ball broke to McDonald at the edge of the box to skip past the back three and fire past Cerny for Celtic's second.

Defender Richard Hastings ballooned a free-kick over the bar in reply, following a clash of heads between Celtic captain Stephen McManus and Mark McLaughlin.

Shortly before the interval, Hamilton were unlucky not to score when Marco Paixao's free-kick evaded the Celtic defence, but Zaluska cleared before Antoine-Curier could pounce.

Following the restart Zhi delivered a weak shot straight into the arms of Cerny.

A flurry of Celtic activity on the edge of Hamilton penalty area as the hour-mark approached led to a McGeady cross that McDonald failed to reach, then Maloney curved in a free-kick that shaved Cerny's right-hand post.

Zaluska reacted quickly to keep out a Mensing effort in the 70th minute, with Hamilton struggling to find a way through.

The Poland international was forced to parry a Jordan Kirkpatrick shot wide for a corner as the hosts picked up the pace in the final 10 minutes as they looked to reduce the deficit. They got their reward with seven minutes remaining when McArthur pounced on a Caldwell headed clearance to shoot from distance, and Antoine-Curier flicked the ball past the helpless Zaluska from four yards. McArthur could have snatched a point for Hamilton in the 88th minute when he went one-on-one with Zaluska after latching onto an Antoine-Curier nod, but a deft save by the Pole ensured Celtic secured maximum points.

Celtic manager Tony Mowbray:

"We got the three points. The players were under a little bit more pressure than normal, but we're now top of the table and they showed some good character and resilience.

"It's about picking up points. We got the points and a victory.

"The third goal in any game is crucial, and the bottom line was that we weren't really threatened too often.

"But that third goal gave them an ability to push on, and to be fair Lucas made a great save to prevent it going to 2-2.

"We would have been disappointed if we didn't take all three points today."

Hamilton manager Billy Reid:

"I thought we started well. The first 15 minutes we were slightly the better side.

"We had a game plan to be in Celtic's faces. We contained McGeady and Maloney really well, but we gave a silly goal away.

"We were punished for it, and at that stage, that's all the encouragement Celtic needed to go on from there.

"They scored another, and were in control at the time.

"But if you get the next goal, it's game on – and that was the case.

"Over the 90 minutes, i don't think anyone would have grudged us if we had taken a point from the game."

Story from BBC SPORT:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/8319203.stm

Published: 2009/10/25 14:23:20 GMT

© BBC 2011

Zaluska picks top moment to make his presence felt; Phil Gordon sees the Celtic reserve goalkeeper take centre stage

26 October 2009

Provided by: The Times

Hamilton Academical 1
Antoine-Curier 83
Celtic 2
Maloney 15, McDonald 29
Referee I Brines Attendance 4,689
Lukasz Zaluska has been firmly in the shadow of Artur Boruc, his more flamboyant compatriot, since joining Celtic in the summer, but the Polish goalkeeper seized a rare opportunity to slip out of his role as understudy to become the man who sent Celtic back to the top of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.
Tony Mowbray may have dismissed Zaluska's vital late save to prevent James McArthur from snatching an unlikely 2-2 draw as simply doing his job, but the Celtic manager must have been inwardly alarmed at his team almost threw away victory at New Douglas Park in a game in which they were coasting.
First-half goals from Shaun Maloney and Scott McDonald had given Celtic a comfort zone that was so immense they could even play for 13 minutes with ten men while Stephen McManus was in the dressing room having stitches inserted in an eye wound.
However, a late reply from Mickael Antoine-Curier with seven minutes left saw the hosts throw everything at Celtic and when McArthur pounced on a slip from Gary Caldwell to advance on Zaluska in the 87th minute, an equaliser seemed inevitable. Zaluska had barely dirtied his gloves all day but remained composed enough to deny McArthur.
It is a sight the Celtic supporters might have to get used to for a while. Mowbray revealed yesterday that Boruc's thigh strain which has plagued him for months, requires several weeks' rest and Zaluska – whose only previous start since his move from Dundee United was in the Co-operative Insurance Cup against Falkirk – will be in place for the Europa League group C game with Hamburg in Germany on November 5.
"Goalkeepers are there to make saves," said Mowbray, after watching his team secure a first win in three league games. "Lukasz did not have much to do for 87 minutes but he is a good goalkeeper and shows that every day in training. Artur has been carrying an injury and was trying to play through it. However, he come to the point where, like Scott Brown, he needs a break. So we feel that two weeks' rest will give him a chance to get over this problem."
McManus endorsed Zaluska's credentials to replace Boruc, who occupies a talismanic status for the Celtic players and supporters. "Lukasz is a top goalkeeper," the Celtic captain said. "It's good to have two top keepers. If Artur is out, then Lukasz will step in. At a club like Celtic you must have competition for places and we have that."
Not in every position. Georgios Samaras's contribution to the team is so poor that Celtic must feel they are a man light – as they were when the blood-spattered McManus disappeared in 32 minutes after a clash of heads with Mark McLaughlin – and Barry Robson, a midfield player, slotted into centre back until halftime with the Scotland defender nowhere to be seen.
The languid style of Samaras is in stark contrast to the energy on show from his colleagues but the Greek striker's inability to hold up the ball in any area of the pitch was crucial in the incident that allowed Hamilton Academical to halve the deficit and induce a nervous finale for Celtic.
Such a script appeared highly unlikely once Shaun Maloney had given Celtic the lead after just 15 minutes.
Marco Paixao had foolishly tried to nutmeg Andreas Hinkel on the edge of the the hosts' area -a cardinal sin that led to the Portuguese forward being withdrawn before half-time – and that allowed McDonald to supply Hinkel, whose cross to the back post where Maloney measured up an acrobatic angled volley that flew past Tomas Cerny.
That seemed to soothe Celtic's anxiety after the European defeat by Hamburg last Thursday but Hamilton showed resilience and Antoine-Curier tested Zaluska from long range and then Simon Mensing squandered a good chance. Zeng Zhi did likewise from another lay-off from the industrious McGeady before McDonald showed his colleagues how to finish in the 29th minute.
McGeady was at the core of the move, linking well with Samaras before the Greek cut in from the right on a meandering run. His shot was half-blocked but fell into the path of McDonald, who underlined his predatory nature by drilling a low finish beyond Cerny from ten yards for his eighth goal of the season.
The only threat that Zaluska had to face was nine minutes before the interval when Paixao whipped in a free kick from the left that took a wicked touch on its way towards the goalkeeper, who parried the ball but was grateful to see no Hamilton forward finish it off before Robson cleared.
Celtic's second-half domination of possession had Hamilton camped in for long spells, with Cerny producing a fine save from McGeady down at his near post, before Samaras squandered another chance that Maloney laid on a plate.
Mowbray felt that the contest was over and introduced a trio of substitutes but Celtic lost their momentum and Jordan Kirkpatrick – who had replaced Paixao – gave Hamilton some belief they could yet make an impact with three fine shots that were pushed to safety by Zaluska.
The reward for Hamilton's effort came in 83 minutes when Samaras conceded the foul that allowed Richard Hastings to flight a free kick that was cleared to McArthur, whose raking shot was diverted past Zaluska by Antoine-Curier from three yards in an offside position, but the goal stood.
Four minutes later, McArthur had the chance to restore parity. A long ball was glanced on by Antoine-Curier and Caldwell fell allowing McArthur to escape with just Zaluska to beat. The goalkeeper stood up and beat away the shot, to Celtic's relief. And Billy Reid's despair.
"That would have been our first ever league point against the Old Firm since we got promotion last year," the Hamilton manager said.
"James must have been tired because he covered every blade of grass but he hit the target and I will not blame him." Hamilton ratings Celtic ratings 3-4-3 T Cerny 7 M Canning 7 D Elebert 6 M McLaughlin 7 T McLenahan 6 J Wesolowski 7 J McArthur 8 R Hastings 7 S Mensing 6 M Paixao 3 M Ant'ne-Curier 7 Substitutes J Kirkpatrick 7 (for Paixao, 42min), G Beuzelin 4 (for Elebert, 65), G Evans (for McLenahan, 84). Not used S Murdoch, A Neil, M Andrews, G Gow. 4-4-2 L Zaluska 8 A Hinkel 6 G Caldwell 6 S McManus 7 L Naylor 6 S Maloney 6 Z Zhi 4 B Robson 0 6 A McGready 0 8 S McDonald 7 G Samaras 3 Substitutes P McCourt 3 (for McGeady, 65min), N McGinn (for McDonald, 73), M Croas (for Maloney, 73). Not used D Cervi, M Wilson, J Thompson, P Caddis.
(c) 2009 Times Newspapers Limited. All rights reserved
The Times

Celtic manager Tony Mowbray:

"We got the three points. The players were under a little bit more pressure than normal, but we're now top of the table and they showed some good character and resilience.
"It's about picking up points. We got the points and a victory.
"The third goal in any game is crucial, and the bottom line was that we weren't really threatened too often.
"But that third goal gave them an ability to push on, and to be fair Lucas made a great save to prevent it going to 2-2.
"We would have been disappointed if we didn't take all three points today."
Hamilton manager Billy Reid:

"I thought we started well. The first 15 minutes we were slightly the better side.
"We had a game plan to be in Celtic's faces. We contained McGeady and Maloney really well, but we gave a silly goal away.
"We were punished for it, and at that stage, that's all the encouragement Celtic needed to go on from there.
"They scored another, and were in control at the time.
"But if you get the next goal, it's game on – and that was the case.
"Over the 90 minutes, i don't think anyone would have grudged us if we had taken a point from the game."

  • Final Result
  • Full Time
  • 90:00+3:07 The referee signals the end of the game.
  • 87:24 Shot by James McArthur. Save made by Lukasz Zaluska.
  • 85:50 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Barry Robson by Guillaume Beuzelin. Indirect free kick taken by Gary Caldwell.
  • Correction – 82:42 Substitution (Hamilton) makes a substitution, with Grant Evans coming on for Trent McClenahan.
  • 82:42 Substitution Mark Wilson joins the action as a substitute, replacing Andreas Hinkel.
  • 82:42 The assist for the goal came from James McArthur.
  • 82:42 GOAL – Mickael Antoine-Curier:Hamilton 1 – 2 Celtic Mickael Antoine-Curier scores a goal from inside the six-yard box high into the middle of the goal. Hamilton 1-2 Celtic.
  • 82:07 Patrick McCourt gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on James Wesolowski. Free kick crossed left-footed by Richard Hastings, clearance by Gary Caldwell.
  • 80:58 Richard Hastings challenges Georgios Samaras unfairly and gives away a free kick. Gary Caldwell takes the free kick.
  • 78:46 Corner taken right-footed by Guillaume Beuzelin to the near post, Gary Caldwell makes a clearance.
  • 78:34 Jordan Kirkpatrick takes a shot. Save by Lukasz Zaluska.
  • 77:45 Marc Crosas gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Mark McLaughlin. Tomas Cerny takes the indirect free kick.
  • 76:20 Inswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Guillaume Beuzelin.
  • 75:28 Corner taken left-footed by Richard Hastings, Gary Caldwell manages to make a clearance.
  • 74:06 Corner taken by Barry Robson from the right by-line played to the near post, Zheng Zhi takes a shot. Tomas Cerny makes a save.
  • 73:34 Zheng Zhi fouled by Guillaume Beuzelin, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick crossed by Barry Robson, clearance by Guillaume Beuzelin.
  • 72:21 Substitution Marc Crosas is brought on as a substitute for Scott McDonald.
  • 72:21 Substitution Shaun Maloney goes off and Niall McGinn comes on.
  • 71:41 James McArthur takes the chance to get an effort at goal. Lukasz Zaluska makes a save.
  • 71:22 Georgios Samaras is penalised for a handball. James McArthur restarts play with the free kick.
  • 69:41 The assistant referee flags for offside against Scott McDonald. Tomas Cerny takes the free kick.
  • 68:09 Mark McLaughlin challenges Scott McDonald unfairly and gives away a free kick. Gary Caldwell restarts play with the free kick.
  • 67:10 Zheng Zhi gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on James Wesolowski. Martin Canning takes the free kick.
  • 66:52 Free kick awarded for a foul by Mark McLaughlin on Scott McDonald. Free kick taken by Zheng Zhi.
  • 65:43 Lukasz Zaluska takes the indirect free kick.
  • 65:43 Substitution Aiden McGeady leaves the field to be replaced by Patrick McCourt.
  • 65:43 Substitution (Hamilton) makes a substitution, with Guillaume Beuzelin coming on for David Elebert.
  • 65:43 The referee blows for offside.
  • 63:49 Georgios Samaras produces a right-footed shot from deep inside the penalty box which goes wide of the right-hand upright.
  • 62:50 Aiden McGeady takes a shot. Tomas Cerny makes a save.
  • 61:46 David Elebert takes the direct free kick.
  • 61:46 Booking Barry Robson is cautioned by the ref for unsporting behaviour.
  • 61:41 Foul by Barry Robson on James McArthur, free kick awarded.
  • 60:32 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on James Wesolowski by Barry Robson. Free kick crossed left-footed by Richard Hastings from right channel, Georgios Samaras manages to make a clearance.
  • 59:05 Mark McLaughlin gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Aiden McGeady. Strike comes in from Shaun Maloney from the free kick.
  • 58:11 Mickael Antoine-Curier gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Barry Robson. Free kick taken by Lee Naylor.
  • 57:46 Aiden McGeady takes a shot. Tomas Cerny makes a save.
  • 55:22 Unfair challenge on Lee Naylor by Simon Mensing results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Lukasz Zaluska.
  • 53:09 James McArthur has an effort at goal from outside the area missing to the wide right of the goal.
  • 50:21 Scott McDonald challenges Richard Hastings unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Richard Hastings.
  • 49:43 Mickael Antoine-Curier gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Georgios Samaras. Barry Robson takes the free kick.
  • 47:16 Corner taken by Richard Hastings from the left by-line to the near post.
  • 46:56 Foul by Shaun Maloney on Trent McClenahan, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Richard Hastings.
  • 46:25 Zheng Zhi takes a shot. Save by Tomas Cerny.
  • 45:50 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Georgios Samaras by James McArthur. Free kick taken by Lee Naylor.
  • 45:01 The second half begins.
  • Half Time
  • 45:00+1:00 The players leave the pitch at half time.
  • 44:53 Shaun Maloney takes a shot. Save by Tomas Cerny.
  • 39:37 Inswinging corner taken by Richard Hastings from the right by-line, Barry Robson fouled by Martin Canning, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Lukasz Zaluska.
  • 38:39 David Elebert takes the indirect free kick.
  • 38:39 Substitution (Hamilton) makes a substitution, with Jordan Kirkpatrick coming on for Marco Paixao.
  • 38:39 Zheng Zhi concedes a free kick for a foul on James Wesolowski.
  • 35:20 The free kick is swung in right-footed by Marco Paixao.
  • 35:20 Booking Aiden McGeady receives a caution for unsporting behaviour.
  • 34:48 Mark McLaughlin fouled by Aiden McGeady, the ref awards a free kick.
  • 33:38 The official flags Scott McDonald offside. Tomas Cerny takes the indirect free kick.
  • 33:20 Scott McDonald fouled by James McArthur, the ref awards a free kick. Lee Naylor restarts play with the free kick.
  • 30:42 Foul by Stephen McManus on Marco Paixao, free kick awarded. Strike on goal comes in from Richard Hastings from the free kick.
  • 29:28 Unfair challenge on Simon Mensing by Zheng Zhi results in a free kick. Richard Hastings takes the free kick.
  • 28:16 GOAL – Scott McDonald:Hamilton 0 – 2 Celtic Scott McDonald fires in a goal from inside the six-yard box to the bottom right corner of the goal. Hamilton 0-2 Celtic.
  • 27:17 Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Shaun Maloney from the left by-line to the near post, Simon Mensing makes a clearance.
  • 27:00 Mickael Antoine-Curier takes a shot. Blocked by David Elebert.
  • 26:19 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on James McArthur by Zheng Zhi. Mark McLaughlin restarts play with the free kick.
  • 25:43 James Wesolowski concedes a free kick for a foul on Shaun Maloney. Lee Naylor restarts play with the free kick.
  • 25:23 Unfair challenge on Trent McClenahan by Shaun Maloney results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Trent McClenahan.
  • 21:40 Shot from just outside the area by Zheng Zhi goes over the bar.
  • 18:57 Shot from deep inside the area by Simon Mensing goes over the bar.
  • 18:02 The offside flag is raised against Scott McDonald. Martin Canning takes the free kick.
  • 17:26 Mickael Antoine-Curier has an effort at goal. Save by Lukasz Zaluska.
  • 16:37 Inswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Shaun Maloney.
  • 16:10 Unfair challenge on Shaun Maloney by James Wesolowski results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Shaun Maloney.
  • 14:57 Unfair challenge on James Wesolowski by Shaun Maloney results in a free kick. David Elebert takes the free kick.
  • 14:01 The assist for the goal came from Andreas Hinkel.
  • 14:01 GOAL – Shaun Maloney:Hamilton 0 – 1 Celtic Shaun Maloney grabs a goal from close range to the bottom right corner of the goal. Hamilton 0-1 Celtic.
  • 11:52 Simon Mensing challenges Barry Robson unfairly and gives away a free kick. Lukasz Zaluska restarts play with the free kick.
  • 10:29 Georgios Samaras is penalised for handball and concedes a free kick. David Elebert restarts play with the free kick.
  • Correction – 8:25 The referee blows for offside. Indirect free kick taken by Gary Caldwell.
  • 8:25 Mickael Antoine-Curier is caught offside. Lukasz Zaluska restarts play with the free kick.
  • 7:50 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Barry Robson by James Wesolowski. Lee Naylor takes the direct free kick.
  • 6:45 Unfair challenge on Trent McClenahan by Barry Robson results in a free kick. Free kick crossed by Richard Hastings, Stephen McManus manages to make a clearance.
  • 4:34 James Wesolowski fouled by Barry Robson, the ref awards a free kick. Richard Hastings takes the free kick.
  • 2:55 Simon Mensing fouled by Barry Robson, the ref awards a free kick. Martin Canning restarts play with the free kick.
  • 1:15 The assistant referee flags for offside against Georgios Samaras. Free kick taken by Tomas Cerny.
  • 0:36 Simon Mensing gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Stephen McManus. Gary Caldwell takes the free kick.
  • 0:06 Foul by Barry Robson on James McArthur, free kick awarded. Martin Canning takes the free kick.
  • 0:00 The match has kicked off.

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