2019-09-14: Hamilton 0-1 Celtic, SP

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Trivia

Back to the league after internationals
Dire win saved only by early goal by Forrest to save Celtic. Hamilton had a few chances to steal the match but unlikely.
Debut for Mohamed Elyououssi, who set up first goal and had a fair match.
Internationals:Odsonne Edouard scored 4 goals for France U 21s. He is the talk of French football.
Scotland are dire and lose to Belgium (no.1 in the world) 4-0, and lose to Russia.
Glasgow City Council ban all marches for moment. Orange Order hold a mass protest in George Square on this all.
Transfer window closed:
Celtic have signed a number & dumped a number.
SIGNED
[CB] Christopher Jullien from Toulouse – SIGNED 4 year deal, ~£7M
[LM] Luca Connell from Bolton Wanderers – SIGNED 4 year deal, ~ Development Fee
[LB] Boli Bolingoli-Mbombo from Rapid Vienna – SIGNED 4 year deal, ~
[CB/RB] Hatem Abd Elhamed from Hapoel Be'er Sheva – SIGNED 4 year deal
[GK] Fraser Forster from Southampton – SIGNED 1 year loan deal
[RB] Moritz Bauer from Stoke – SIGNED 1 year loan deal
[LW/FW] Mohamed Elyounoussi from Southampton – SIGNED 1 year loan deal
[RB] Greg Taylor from Kilmarnock – SIGNED 4 year deal
YOUNGSTERS SIGNED
[CB] Lee O'Connor from Man Utd – SIGNED 4 yeard deal
[RB] Jeremie Frimpong from Man City – SIGNED 4 year deal
[ATT] Johnathan Afolabi from Free – SIGNED 3 year deal
[CM] Liam Burt from Free
[GK] Tobi Oluwayemi from Spurs – SIGNED 3 year deal
[CB] Leo Hjelde from Rosenborg – SIGNED 3 year deal
OUT
Tierney (Signs for Arsenal, £25M)
De Vries (Retired)
Gamboa (confirmed by Ms Gamboa)
Izzy (Contract ended. Signed for Motagua)
Lustig (Signed for Gent)
Allen (Signed Pre-Contract with Hibs)
Boyata (Signed for Hertha Berlin)
Mulumbu (Contract terminated)
Compper ( Signed for Duisburg, free)
Ralston (Loan to St Johnstone – 1 year)
Henderson (Loan to Ross County – 1 year)
Aitchison (Loan to Forrest Green Rovers – 1 year)

Review

A truly dire match, which should be forgotten quickly. Terrible pitch is the main reason, but Celtic were not great either and saved by early Forrest goal which at first seemed to signal this would be a walkover.

There is a long way to go in this league title campaign, and on this showing complacency could easily dent Celtic's league title aspirations if the coaching staff are not careful.

(Stevie from Belfast of KDS)
SPFl away games come in two forms – we either win easily and play good football or we get caught in a grim war of attrition. Today for about fifteen minutes looked it would be the former but unfortunately for some reason ended up the second. Fortunately we won the war of attrition and some weeks that is just what you have to do.

Not sure why it all turned so bad, obviously the pitch and the wind were major factors but they were just as bad in the first fifteen minutes and that didnt seem to bother us much then. We were poor after that but thankfully Hamilton are as shampoo as their pitch so we got away with it.

A few notes –

Good to see elyounoussi starting. Great cross for the goal and he has talent but we will have to be patient as it will take the guy a while to get up to speed.

Boligoli did well. He reminds me of the wonderful Anton Rogan at left back. He brings loads of energy, strength and drive & gives us a lot of width. Unfortunately he also gives the impression that the next feckup is coming shortly. Anyway I always loved Anton (ok that is mainly because of where he was from) so maybe I will Boli as well.

Ajer is class. McGregor is definitely going through one of his periodic dips in form. The manager obviously thinks he is better just trying to play through it. I thought Big Bayo did well when he come on. When you dont look like scoring in a game like that it is important to make sure the opposition dont either. Bayo did a lot in ensuring we kept the ball at the far end of the pitch.

We will have worse days.

Teams

Hamilton

· 1Fon Williams
· 3McMann
· 26Stubbs
· 24Easton
· 5FjørtoftBooked at 45mins
· Substituted forBeckat 69'minutes
· 21Want
· Substituted forMcKennaat 78'minutes
· 10Alston
· 13GogicBooked at 84mins
· 28Smith
· 7Collar
· 9Oakley

· Substituted forOgboeat 53'minutes

Substitutes

· 4McKenna

· 14Cunningham
· 17Beck
· 18MacKinnon
· 20Moyo
· 31Southwood
· 99Ogboe

Celtic

· 67Forster
· 33Elhamed
· 35Ajer
· 2Jullien
· 23Bolingoli-Mbombo
· 8Brown
· 42McGregor
· 49Forrest
· 17Christie· Substituted forHayesat 90+2'minutes
· 27Elyounoussi· Substituted forRogicat 67'minutes

· 22Edouard· Substituted forBayoat 77'minutes

Substitutes

· 1Gordon

· 9Griffiths
· 10Bayo
· 13Bauer
· 15Hayes
· 18Rogic

· 21Ntcham

Goal

Forrest (4' minutes)

Referee:
Don Robertson
Attendance:
5,300

Articles

Match Report (see end of page below)

Pictures

Match Pictures

Forum

Pre-match
Match
Post Match

MOTM

Voting Thread
Result Thread
Winner –

Stats

HamiltonAway TeamCeltic

Possession
Home27%
Away73%

Shots
Home3
Away12

Shots on Target
Home1
Away2

Corners
Home1
Away4

Fouls
Home19
Away10

Articles

Hamilton 0 – 1 Celtic: Early James Forrest strike eases league leaders past Accies
James Forrest wheels away after opening the scoring.
James Forrest wheels away after opening the scoring.
Alan Pattullo
Email
Published: 13:53
Updated: 23:17 Saturday 14 September 2019
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/hamilton-0-1-celtic-early-james-forrest-strike-eases-league-leaders-past-accies-1-5004314James Forrest’s seventh goal in his last ten Celtic appearances helped disperse whatever personal clouds of despondency had gathered while the winger was on Scotland duty.

It also gave Celtic an early lead in a game that could not have been further removed from their last outing at Ibrox. These were far less intense, if still extremely tricky, circumstances. While not at their best in the blustery conditions Celtic again found a way to win.

Neil Lennon was content to focus on what the result meant rather than the manner of victory. “Five wins out of five, which we have not done for a long time at the start of the season,” mentioned the manager. Not since 2010-11 have they managed this – when Lennon was also in charge.

Celtic go into Thursday’s first Europa League group game against Rennes in good heart and, perhaps just as importantly, in good shape. Only Nir Bitton and Mikey Johnston, who both missed yesterday’s match due to injury, are definitely out while new left back Greg Taylor will undergo a fitness test on Monday to see whether he can travel to France.

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There was one scare towards the end yesterday when centre-half Christopher Jullien stayed down after a clash of heads with Hamilton substitute Marios Ogkmpoe. But he was eventually helped to his feet and resumed the game, if a little unsteadily. “I have just spoken to him and he thought I was Boris Becker!” said Lennon later.

While the injury is not thought to be serious, the delay required to treat it almost did prove significant because it contributed to the time added on at the end. It was during this spell that Hamilton came closest to equalising when Ogkmpoe just failed to make contact with Scott McMann’s cross from the left.

Lewis Smith helped drag his side back into the game. The 19-year-old seemed to be doing it alone at times as he kept possession and shrugged off challenges from the likes of Scott Brown in a manner that underlined his potential. He succeeded in getting his team up the pitch during what was a far more even second half.

“Over-charging the fans, under-selling the game,” read a banner at the Celtic end. The first complaint was certainly valid if the fare of the opening 45 minutes was anything to go by. Celtic were guilty of being over-elaborate at times. Left-back Boli Bolingoli is a Celtic cult-hero-in-the-making and got forward well while also tripping over the ball and on one occasion letting it trundle under his foot when in a promising position.

Celtic seemed to be treating it almost like a training game at times. Their failure to build on the early lead given to them by Forrest was not down to them missing chances since they were not even creating them. Hamilton keeper Owain Fon Williams barely had a save to make in the first half other than being left helpless when Forrest was rewarded for an astute run to the front post to meet debutant Mohamed Elyounoussi’s cut-back from the left after four minutes.

Elyounoussi started brightly but faded and was replaced by Tom Rogic after 67 minutes. He was involved in the passage of play that saw Celtic almost extinguish Hamilton’s spirited comeback before it got going. Elyounoussi’s shot six minutes after half-time was blocked by Markus Fjortoft and Forrest picked up the rebound to send in a shot from just inside the box which came down off the bar and back out again.

Thereafter it was Hamilton who carved out the better chances, specifically Ogkmpoe, who as well as that header opportunity at the end also pulled a shot wide of Fraser Forster’s far post. Blair Alston saw a shot clear the bar after 70 minutes.

“My biggest concern was us not having belief as individuals but I saw today to a man they had,” said home manager Brian Rice. “Losing an early goal to Celtic is criminal. But the response I got was immense. We kept to the game plan – keep in the game as long as possible.”

Rice freshened things up early in the second half when replacing George Oakley with Ogympoe. He later switched from five at the back to four and pushed two up front. “I don’t think anyone can say we didn’t try to score a goal but you have to find a way against Celtic,” he said.

BBC

By Martin Watt

BBC Scotland

From the section Scottish Premiership

Highlights: Hamilton Academical 0-1 Celtic

Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic toiled to a slender win over stubborn Hamilton Academical to maintain their 100% start.

James Forrest converted debutant Mohamed Elyounoussi's cross early in a first half dominated by the visitors.

Scotland winger Forrest crashed a shot off the crossbar after the break, but Hamilton grew in belief and intent.

They made life increasingly difficult for the champions and had a couple of half chances – but Celtic held firm.

The fifth straight league victory is Celtic's best top-flight start since Neil Lennon's previous stint in charge in 2010 and keeps them three points clear of second-placed Rangers.

Hamilton, who have now lost the past 10 meetings with Celtic, sit eighth with four points.

Reaction & as it happened
Simunovic and Bitton Europa League blow
Lennon applauds Rangers' abuse reaction

From a landslide to a trickle

Accies manager Brian Rice hoped for strength in numbers by barricading his backline with five defenders, who were protected by a layer of four midfielders, while George Oakley was handed a lonely shift up top on his own.

The attempt to stonewall Celtic lasted less than four minutes, though, as the champions chiselled a way through. A neat Odsonne Edouard lay-off set Elyounoussi free down the left and his low cross was expertly tucked home at the near post by Forrest – his seventh goal of a productive season so far.

But what looked like a landslide soon turned into a trickle as Celtic failed to cement their superiority with further goals.

Like his team, Elyounoussi – a £17m winger on loan from Southampton – began impressively then lost his way.

Despite possession stats of 73% in favour of the visitors, home keeper Owain Fon Williams' gloves went untouched until he produced a terrific save to tip Forrest's thudding left-foot drive on to the underside of his bar and away to safety.
James Forrest

The one-touch passing and combination play from Lennon's men, who were so impressive in their Old Firm win at Rangers before the international break, was easy on the eye but relatively simple to repel as Hamilton kept themselves in the game.

The hosts were in nosebleed territory when Blair Alston mustered their first shot at goal just shy of the 40-minute mark, the midfielder's hooked drive over his shoulder landing straight in Fraser Forster's arms.

But they improved markedly in the second half, fraying Celtic nerves with a series of raids forward. Alex Gogic nodded wastefully wide inside the box when a free-kick was floated on to his head and Alston was only a couple of yards too high with an effort from the edge of the box after a surging run from Adrian Beck, on for his debut.

Marios Ogkmpoe also dragged wide from an angle, while Celtic substitute Vakoun Bayo flashed a header straight at Fon Williams.

Celtic were made to sweat until 20 seconds from the end of added time, when Ogkmpoe narrowly failed to connect with Scott McMann's driven ball across goal, but ultimately Accies' spadework was all in vain.
Man of the match – Alex Gogic

BBC Scotland's John Barnes at the Fountain of Youth Stadium

There was a queue of contenders in a first-half Celtic display full of slick passing. Forrest and Ryan Christie were the most prominent but they and their team-mates failed to maintain the tempo and dominance.

That was down to Accies imposing themselves more on the game. The influence of Gogic in the holding role in central midfield caught they eye, as did the youthful exuberance of Lewis Smith.

But being the cushion in front of his central defenders, breaking up play and trying to get Accies moving forward, was enough for Gogic to get the nod.

Match ends, Hamilton Academical 0, Celtic 1.
Full Time
Posted at 90'+6'
Second Half ends, Hamilton Academical 0, Celtic 1.
Substitution
Posted at 90'+2'
Substitution, Celtic. Jonny Hayes replaces Ryan Christie.
Posted at 90'+2'
Attempt saved. Vakoun Issouf Bayo (Celtic) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Posted at 90'+1'
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Lewis Smith.
Posted at 85'
Blair Alston (Hamilton Academical) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Posted at 85'
Foul by Boli Bolingoli-Mbombo (Celtic).
Booking
Posted at 84'
Alexander Gogic (Hamilton Academical) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Posted at 84'
Foul by Alexander Gogic (Hamilton Academical).
Posted at 84'
Tomas Rogic (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 79'
Hand ball by Ryan Christie (Celtic).
Substitution
Posted at 78'
Substitution, Hamilton Academical. Ciaran McKenna replaces Shaun Want.
Substitution
Posted at 77'
Substitution, Celtic. Vakoun Issouf Bayo replaces Odsonne Edouard.
Posted at 77'
Attempt missed. Ryan Christie (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is too high.
Posted at 75'
Foul by Alexander Gogic (Hamilton Academical).
Posted at 75'
Tomas Rogic (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 75'
Attempt missed. Marios Ogboe (Hamilton Academical) right footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses to the left.
Posted at 74'
Corner, Hamilton Academical. Conceded by Kristoffer Ajer.
Posted at 71'
Attempt missed. Blair Alston (Hamilton Academical) right footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high.
Substitution
Posted at 69'
Substitution, Hamilton Academical. Adrian Beck replaces Markus Fjørtoft.
Posted at 69'
Attempt blocked. Ryan Christie (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Posted at 68'
James Forrest (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 68'
Foul by Shaun Want (Hamilton Academical).
Substitution
Posted at 67'
Substitution, Celtic. Tomas Rogic replaces Mohamed Elyounoussi.
Posted at 67'
Foul by Will Collar (Hamilton Academical).
Posted at 67'
Scott Brown (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 64'
Attempt saved. Blair Alston (Hamilton Academical) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
Posted at 63'
Will Collar (Hamilton Academical) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 63'
Foul by Hatem Elhamed (Celtic).
Posted at 59'
Foul by Ryan Christie (Celtic).
Posted at 59'
Marios Ogboe (Hamilton Academical) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Posted at 58'
Ryan Christie (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 58'
Foul by Lewis Smith (Hamilton Academical).
Posted at 54'
James Forrest (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 54'
Foul by Alexander Gogic (Hamilton Academical).
Substitution
Posted at 53'
Substitution, Hamilton Academical. Marios Ogboe replaces George Oakley.
Posted at 52'
Christopher Jullien (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Posted at 52'
Foul by George Oakley (Hamilton Academical).
Posted at 52'
James Forrest (Celtic) hits the bar with a right footed shot from the right side of the box.
Posted at 51'
Attempt blocked. Mohamed Elyounoussi (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Posted at 49'
Foul by Scott Brown (Celtic).
Posted at 49'
Scott McMann (Hamilton Academical) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 49'
Foul by Boli Bolingoli-Mbombo (Celtic).
Posted at 49'
Blair Alston (Hamilton Academical) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Posted at 48'
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Scott McMann.
Second Half
Posted at
Second Half begins Hamilton Academical 0, Celtic 1.
Half Time
Posted at 45'+1'
First Half ends, Hamilton Academical 0, Celtic 1.
Posted at 45'+1'
Attempt blocked. Odsonne Edouard (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Booking
Posted at 45'
Markus Fjørtoft (Hamilton Academical) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Posted at 45'
Odsonne Edouard (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 45'
Foul by Markus Fjørtoft (Hamilton Academical).
Posted at 44'
Foul by Ryan Christie (Celtic).
Posted at 44'
Shaun Want (Hamilton Academical) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Posted at 42'
Mohamed Elyounoussi (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 42'
Foul by Shaun Want (Hamilton Academical).
Posted at 40'
Scott Brown (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 40'
Foul by Will Collar (Hamilton Academical).
Posted at 36'
Foul by Christopher Jullien (Celtic).
Posted at 36'
George Oakley (Hamilton Academical) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 32'
Hatem Elhamed (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 32'
Foul by Scott McMann (Hamilton Academical).
Posted at 30'
Mohamed Elyounoussi (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 30'
Foul by Markus Fjørtoft (Hamilton Academical).
Posted at 24'
Foul by Boli Bolingoli-Mbombo (Celtic).
Posted at 24'
Shaun Want (Hamilton Academical) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 22'
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Will Collar.
Posted at 22'
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Shaun Want.
Posted at 21'
George Oakley (Hamilton Academical) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Posted at 21'
Foul by Christopher Jullien (Celtic).
Posted at 18'
Attempt missed. Ryan Christie (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left.
Posted at 18'
Hatem Elhamed (Celtic) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Posted at 18'
Foul by Scott McMann (Hamilton Academical).
Posted at 16'
Scott Brown (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 16'
Foul by George Oakley (Hamilton Academical).
Posted at 14'
Attempt missed. Odsonne Edouard (Celtic) header from the centre of the box misses to the right.
Posted at 13'
Attempt blocked. Scott Brown (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Posted at 10'
Boli Bolingoli-Mbombo (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Posted at 10'
Foul by Shaun Want (Hamilton Academical).
Posted at 10'
Ryan Christie (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 10'
Foul by Alexander Gogic (Hamilton Academical).
Posted at 8'
Attempt blocked. Odsonne Edouard (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Posted at 7'
Ryan Christie (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 7'
Foul by Alexander Gogic (Hamilton Academical).
Goal!
Posted at 4'
Goal! Hamilton Academical 0, Celtic 1. James Forrest (Celtic) right footed shot from very close range to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Mohamed Elyounoussi.
Posted at 3'
Ryan Christie (Celtic) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Posted at 3'
Foul by Scott McMann (Hamilton Academical).
Posted at 2'
Mohamed Elyounoussi (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 2'
Foul by Scott McMann (Hamilton Academical).
Posted at 2'
Attempt blocked. Mohamed Elyounoussi (Celtic) left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked.
Kick Off
Posted at
First Half begins.
Lineups are announced and players are warming up.