2020-12-26: Hamilton 0-3 Celtic, League

Match Pictures | Matches: 2020 – 2021

Trivia

3pm; St Stephen’s Day/Boxing Day match.
Match is a rarity as is (1) Saturday 3pm match live on TV (2) live on both Sky One (& Sky Sports) for all to watch.
Hamilton Accies confirmed that one of their players tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of recent fixture v Livingston.
Torrential weather marred this performance, and the sky tv coverage was poor. Terrible coverage of the Celtic game today by @SkySports Awful commentator who knew nothing about Scottish football. Plastic coverage from Sky Sports to go with the plastic pitch at Hamilton.
Turnbull a star and scores again. Little for Hazard to do all game in goals.
First half could have been better, but second half was fine.
Sevco game away is next week, but Dundee Utd game first in midweek.
Jim McLean: Scottish football (Dundee Utd) management legend has passed away. RIP. One of the giants of our game has passed away. He had the measure of us and many other teams during his career and utilised the players at his disposal to the utmost degree. His methods worked at home and abroad and brought success. A man who was held in the highest respect, a formidable opponent, and a giant personality within the Scottish game.
Father of Chris Sutton passed away, Chris Sutton had been campaigning on his behalf over the issue of early dementia in footballers. RIP.
Kieran Tierney may have upset some Celtic fans with his move to Arsenal last year, but the left back has taken to social media to show he remains a loyal supporter. Tierney took to Instagram to post a picture of his shinpads, one of which showed the Celtic badge with the initials ‘KT 63’, in reference to the number worn while at the Hoops, and other ‘KT 3’ alongside the Arsenal crest.
Covid:
- Areas across practically all of Scotland back under the top tier.
- New strains of Covid are causing alarms.

Summary

Neil Lennon: “I’ve got two good strikers. The link-up for the second goal was great. Everyone today looked more like themselves. They got what they deserved. It was a great performance and a great win.”

Neil Lennon: “I thought the players were outstanding. Their attitude was brilliant and we played some great football. Everything about the players was spot on and we are looking far more like ourselves. That was a great performance.”

(Electronic Tims)

FT Accies 0 Celtic 3 Job done in horrendous conditions.

Positives. 5 wins on the bounce (inc cup final pens!), 3rd league clean sheet in a row & some promising passing/movement signs especially in the second half. Eddie excellent today. He’s such a massive player for us. If this is his return to form it will make a helluva difference.

All we can do is focus on trying to build some momentum until our best form (hopefully) returns. If it does with the quality of player we have we can go on a long unbeaten run. If it doesn’t, well, you know the rest.r

Btw let’s not compare home wins v Ross Co & away at Hamilton as anywhere near comparable as going to Ibrox but…it’s a start. Fitba is about finding form and confidence. If we beat Dun Utd midweek then we go to Ibrox in good form. Play our best and who knows…

Liam Kelly on Twitter:

Griffiths’ movement outstanding for his goal. Turnbull and Griffiths are the key to having a chance at this title. Just stick with 4 4 2 and go for it game after game

(LB on Twitter)

Clean sheet, horrible weather, plastic pitch. Take it. **** it for next week though (v Huns)

Teams

Celtic:

65Hazard
30Frimpong
6BittonBooked at 5mins
35Ajer
3Taylor
12Soro
42McGregor
17Christie
Substituted forElyounoussiat 83’minutes
14Turnbull
Substituted forJohnstonat 78’minutes
22Edouard
Substituted forKlimalaat 77’minutes
9Griffiths
- Substituted forAjetiat 72’minutes

Substitutes

1Barkas
4Duffy
8Brown
10Ajeti
11Klimala
18Rogic
19Johnston
27Elyounoussi
93Laxalt

From <https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55373710>

Goals: Edouard (49′ minutes pen), Griffiths (54′ minutes), Turnbull (74′ minutes)

Assists: Edouard (54′ minutes)

Hamilton Academical

22Gourlay
6Hamilton
16Martin
5Easton
2Odoffin
27Hodson
4Stirling
Substituted forMimnaughat 82’minutes
14Trafford
3McMannBooked at 31mins
19Winter
Substituted forOwolabiat 69’minutes
20Moyo
- Substituted forMunroat 90’minutes

Substitutes

15Hughes
17Stanger
18Mimnaugh
21Munro
36Owolabi
37Johnson
41Scully

From <https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55373710>

Goals:

Assists:

Ref: Don Robertson

Att: None – Covid

Articles

Match Report (see below)

Pictures

Match Pictures

Match Links

Stats

HamiltonAway TeamCeltic

Possession

Home26%

Away74%

Shots

Home3

Away23

Shots on Target

Home0

Away8

Corners

Home3

Away7

Fouls

Home13

Away7

Articles

Celtic are ‘looking a lot more like ourselves’ after Hamilton win, says Neil Lennon

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/scottish/celtic/celtic-are-looking-a-lot-more-like-ourselves-after-hamilton-win-says-neil-lennon-39902094.html

Neil Lennon welcomed the flamboyance in Celtic’s play as his side’s return to form continued with a 3-0 Premiership win at Hamilton.

Accies were without 10 players through either injury or Covid-19, but on a wet and windy Boxing Day in Lanarkshire, they held the Hoops to a goalless first half.

However, striker Odsonne Edouard scored a penalty he won four minutes after the restart before Leigh Griffiths and David Turnbull added further goals to make it five wins in a row, albeit the William Hill Scottish Cup final win over Hearts was on penalties.

Boss Lennon said: “I thought we were outstanding. We could have had two or three in the first half.

“The attitude and the approach from the players in dreadful conditions on a plastic pitch was outstanding.

“It was the best we have played for a while, the body language of the players was excellent so it was a great day for us and a great three points.

“We are looking a lot more like ourselves. I want us to play well like that.

“I want us to create chances and there was more flamboyance today than there has been for quite a while and more freedom in our play as well.”

Celtic remain 16 points behind Rangers at the top of the Premiership with three games in hand and play Dundee United on Wednesday before a trip to Ibrox on January 2.

Lennon said: “There’s a long way to go. I’m not saying we have turned a corner, but we are starting to do the right things a lot more of the time.

“We are staring to do it better and that comes from attitude, application and confidence.

“There is a lot more zest, a lot more fluency about the way we are playing.

“I am delighted. It could have been a very difficult game but we made it look easy – which it wasn’t.

“There is a lot to be encouraged about but we still have a lot of work to do.”

Hamilton boss Brian Rice was not best pleased by referee Don Robertson’s decision to award Celtic a penalty just after the restart for Accies defender Aaron Martin’s tackle on Edouard.

He said: “It is the season for presents, isn’t it?

“The penalty kick, in my opinion, was very soft. But hey-ho, the referee gives it.

“I don’t think we switched off, I just think it was a soft decision and it changed the game.

“Celtic have that goal lead, they keep the ball a bit better and we found it difficult.

“But we hung in and I can’t fault them. Their effort was magnificent.”

How Leigh Griffiths and Odsonne Edouard are making life easier for Celtic boss Neil Lennon

It’s the OG that might yet save Celtic’s season. Odsonne and Griff, as Neil Lennon refers to them while continually motivating his side from the sidelines, have given the champions a fillip just when they needed it.

By Alan Pattullo

Saturday, 26th December 2020, 7:38 pm

https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/how-leigh-griffiths-and-odsonne-edouard-are-making-life-easier-celtic-boss-neil-lennon-3079200

Odsonne Edouard and Leigh Griffiths are back in tandem not a moment too soon considering a crucial trip to Ibrox is imminent. Pairing these two strikers together did not seem the most complicated solution to Celtic’s problems. However, it has taken the team a while to properly benefit from the possibilities that abound when two such obvious goal threats are working together for the greater good.

This potent front pairing has not been seen often enough so far this season. Both have suffered illness and injury while Griffiths’ problems in getting fit have been well documented. But they now appear to be very much in the groove. It can only be good news for Celtic.

Celtic: Get the latest team news, match previews and reports

Some comment has been made about Edouard’s selfishness, but he set up a goal for Griffiths, Celtic’s second, after 54 minutes, having a few minutes earlier opened the scoring from the spot. Edouard ignored Hamilton complaints about the award – there was some doubt whether it was given for handball or a late challenge by Aaron Martin on the Frenchman – to beat Kyle Gourlay with a more conventional penalty than against Hearts in the Scottish Cup final six days earlier. It would have been a brave striker to try that trick again on another high-stakes occasion.

There was swirling wind and sweeping sleet. Lennon wisely dressed up like a polar explorer. The floodlights were on long before kick-off. All that and an artificial pitch. This was exactly the sort of scene where a potentially fatal mishap might well occur in terms of Celtic’s hopes of securing a tenth successive championship triumph. Especially as they were already operating under increased pressure following news that Rangers had negotiated their own troublesome assignment against Hibernian earlier in the afternoon.

Vitality of youth

This was a test of their mettle against a Hamilton Accies side who seem to have swapped youth for a bit more brawn of late. Lennon, by contrast, has noted Celtic’s own relative youth, which he says is often overlooked, including by him. He has a point.

Edouard, for example, is still only 22-year-old. His penalty shortly after half time eased Celtic fears that this might be where things would get a whole lot trickier for them. As it stands, their situation – still 16 points behind Rangers, with three games in hand – is already awkward enough.

But this was further evidence of a mid-season revival under a rejuvenated manager in Lennon. Further goals from Griffiths and David Turnbull, who tapped home after Edouard’s header rebounded off the post, augmented an important win against a Hamilton side already reeling from the news they had lost three points earlier in the day. St Mirren’s decision to appeal the 3-0 defeat imposed on them due to an alleged Covid-breach before their cancelled game against Brian Rice’s side means Hamilton remain perilously placed just a point above bottom club Ross County.

Turnbull was the recipient of a bearhug from Lennon when he came off for Mikey Johnston with 13 minutes left. Everything seems a lot rosier in the Celtic garden all of a sudden. Fit again Scott Brown was not even required to come off the bench. With the 22-year-old Ismaila Soro deputising so well for Brown, it will be another big decision whether to play the skipper ahead of him at Ibrox on Saturday.

Lennon was positively purring afterwards. The manager was a constant source of encouragement on the sidelines. It seemed like good management from someone whose methods have been questioned recently.

Still, at half-time, and as much as Celtic were controlling things, it looked distinctly possible that the recent upturn in fortunes might prove only a mini-honeymoon. Despite Lennon retaining faith in the Edouard-Griffiths forward line following the midweek win over Ross County, frustration abounded. Griffiths hit a post with another header following Jeremie’s Frimpong cross.

This was the striker’s second successive league start and something of a red-letter moment since it seemed to confirm that the problems of the summer, and thereafter, are over. He seems to feel confident that is the case.

Griff the goalscoring phenomenon

“I’m feeling good,” Griffiths said afterwards. “The more I get on the pitch, the fitter I’m going to become. Hopefully I can take that into Wednesday (v Dundee United) now. The gaffer knows what I can do, it’s just about trying to get that consistency going again, especially the linking up with Odsonne. You saw how good it was at the back end of last season and hopefully we can try to rediscover that now.

“We’ve been playing well and not getting the rub of the green at times, but the performances are coming together now. We look more assured and hopefully we can take that forward.”

The black away strip certainly does not make Griffiths look any less trim. He does remain a goalscoring phenomenon, however. Along with the header, he might have scored with a searing drive from just outside the box. Hamilton goalkeeper Gourlay was a match for him on that occasion, tipping his effort over the bar. His eventual goal came after his left-foot shot from 18 yards, following Edouard’s cute lay-off, was too strong for Gourlay to hold.

“Well done Griff, unlucky Griff, good movement Griff!” Lennon’s positive shouts from the sidelines was a feature of this game. Everyone was applauded. Few were given a dressing down. Only once, when Ryan Christie shot weakly past, did the manager seem in any way agitated with one of his players, but, even then, he was hardly scathing in his criticism: “You need to get those on target Ryan!” he urged. Celtic appear to be responding to this approach.

BBC

By Martin WattBBC Scotland

Last updated on

1 minute ago1 minute ago.From the section Scottish Premiership

Leigh Griffiths doubled Celtic’s lead to join strike partner Odsonne Edouard on the scoresheet

Celtic’s Scottish Premiership victory at Hamilton Academical was “the best we’ve played for a long time”, said manager Neil Lennon.

The dominant visitors continued their recovery with a fifth straight win secured by Odsonne Edouard’s second-half penalty and strikes from Leigh Griffiths and David Turnbull.

It keeps Celtic 16 points behind Rangers – who they face on Saturday – with three games in hand.

“We were outstanding,” said Lennon.

“We still have a lot to claw back but are moving in the right direction, there’s no doubt about that.

“We could have won by a lot more. There was a flair about us which I haven’t seen in a while.”

Second-bottom Hamilton, having had a victory over St Mirren suspended on the morning of the game pending the Paisley club’s appeal, are a point above Ross County.

Reaction & as it happened

That was an unexpected blow that Hamilton – having initially been awarded the points after St Mirren were found guilty of Covid-19 protocol breaches – could have done without amid an injury crisis depriving them of 10 players.

And from the moment stand-in goalkeeper Kyle Gourlay superbly denied Griffiths in the opening minutes, Celtic’s third consecutive league victory seldom looked in doubt.

Yet Hamilton valiantly survived on the scraps of 20% first-half possession to delay the opener.

Griffiths met Jeremie Frimpong’s cross to rattle an upright with a header, and had a drive parried over by Gourlay, who impressed again just before half-time when Edouard’s touch on a Turnbull shot couldn’t deceive the keeper.

Edouard, Ryan Christie and Nir Bitton also had efforts off target, but Hamilton’s resistance crumbled within 10 minutes of the second period.

Aaron Martin was penalised for a foul on Edouard, who slammed the penalty into the net before linking with his strike partner to put the game beyond the hosts, laying the ball off for Griffiths to fire home from the edge of the box.

Hamilton were helpless as Celtic kept up the tempo and Turnbull curled inches wide before Ryan Christie stung the palms of Gourlay.

A deserved third arrived when Turnbull pounced to convert the rebound after Edouard’s header from a Callum McGregor cross rebounded off a post.

Lennon’s side could have enhanced their goal difference further as Turnbull smacked the side-netting and substitute Mohamed Elyounoussi’s goal-bound header was diverted wide by Lee Hodson.

But after their struggles of recent months, the Celtic recovery continues with a third Premiership win and clean sheet in succession.

Man of the match – Odsonne Edouard

The French striker had a role in all three goals and looked much

The French striker had a role in all three goals and linked well with Griffiths up front

What did we learn?

Depleted Hamilton’s injury woes offered Celtic the ideal opportunity to rebuild confidence prior to next weekend’s visit to Rangers.

And Lennon’s side looked much more like the dominant force of last season, with the front two of Edouard and Griffiths particularly impressive.

Hamilton gave their all to keep the scoreline respectable and will hope to have bodies back to help ease their plight in the coming weeks.

What did they say?

Hamilton boss Rice irked by ‘very soft’ Celtic penalty award

Hamilton head coach Brian Rice: “It is the season for presents, isn’t it? The penalty kick, in my opinion, was very soft and it changed the game.

“But we hung in and I can’t fault the players. Their effort was magnificent.”

Celtic manager Neil Lennon: “I thought we were outstanding. The attitude of the players was brilliant – and the way we played – we look far more like ourselves.

“Everything about the team today was excellent.”

Match ends, Hamilton Academical 0, Celtic 3.

90’+3′

Full Time

Second Half ends, Hamilton Academical 0, Celtic 3.

90′

Substitution

Substitution, Hamilton Academical. Kyle Munro replaces David Moyo.

89′

Post update

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Lee Hodson.

89′

Post update

Attempt blocked. Mohamed Elyounoussi (Celtic) header from very close range is blocked. Assisted by Jeremie Frimpong.

87′

Post update

Attempt missed. Jeremie Frimpong (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Greg Taylor.

85′

Post update

Attempt blocked. David Moyo (Hamilton Academical) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.

83′

Substitution

Substitution, Celtic. Mohamed Elyounoussi replaces Ryan Christie.

82′

Substitution

Substitution, Hamilton Academical. Reegan Mimnaugh replaces Ben Stirling.

80′

Post update

Callum McGregor (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

80′

Post update

Foul by Ben Stirling (Hamilton Academical).

79′

Post update

Foul by Albian Ajeti (Celtic).

79′

Post update

Ben Stirling (Hamilton Academical) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

78′

Substitution

Substitution, Celtic. Michael Johnston replaces David Turnbull.

77′

Substitution

Substitution, Celtic. Patryk Klimala replaces Odsonne Edouard.

74′

Goal!

Goal! Hamilton Academical 0, Celtic 3. David Turnbull (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner.

74′

Post update

Odsonne Edouard (Celtic) hits the left post with a header from the centre of the box. Assisted by Callum McGregor.

72′

Substitution

Substitution, Celtic. Albian Ajeti replaces Leigh Griffiths.

72′

Post update

Attempt missed. Nir Bitton (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Ismaila Soro.

71′

Post update

Jeremie Frimpong (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

71′

Post update

Foul by Tunde Owolabi (Hamilton Academical).

69′

Substitution

Substitution, Hamilton Academical. Tunde Owolabi replaces Andy Winter.

68′

Post update

Attempt blocked. Charlie Trafford (Hamilton Academical) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Scott McMann.

67′

Post update

Foul by David Turnbull (Celtic).

67′

Post update

Charlie Trafford (Hamilton Academical) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

66′

Post update

Jeremie Frimpong (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

66′

Post update

Foul by David Moyo (Hamilton Academical).

65′

Post update

Attempt missed. David Turnbull (Celtic) right footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Odsonne Edouard.

64′

Post update

Dangerous play by Callum McGregor (Celtic).

64′

Post update

David Moyo (Hamilton Academical) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

56′

Post update

Corner, Hamilton Academical. Conceded by Jeremie Frimpong.

54′

Goal!

Goal! Hamilton Academical 0, Celtic 2. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Odsonne Edouard.

53′

Post update

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Kyle Gourlay.

53′

Post update

Attempt saved. Ryan Christie (Celtic) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the top left corner. Assisted by Odsonne Edouard.

51′

Post update

Attempt missed. David Turnbull (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Odsonne Edouard.

50′

Post update

Hand ball by Andy Winter (Hamilton Academical).

49′

Post update

Goal! Hamilton Academical 0, Celtic 1. Odsonne Edouard (Celtic) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the top right corner.

49′

Post update

Penalty Celtic. Odsonne Edouard draws a foul in the penalty area.

49′

Post update

Penalty conceded by Aaron Martin (Hamilton Academical) after a foul in the penalty area.

Second Half

Second Half begins Hamilton Academical 0, Celtic 0.

45’+4′

Half Time

First Half ends, Hamilton Academical 0, Celtic 0.

45’+3′

Post update

Attempt saved. Odsonne Edouard (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by David Turnbull.

45’+3′

Post update

Attempt blocked. David Turnbull (Celtic) left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked.

45’+3′

Post update

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Jamie Hamilton.

45’+2′

Post update

Attempt blocked. Odsonne Edouard (Celtic) left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Greg Taylor.

45’+2′

Post update

Attempt missed. Andy Winter (Hamilton Academical) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right.

45’+1′

Post update

Attempt saved. David Turnbull (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Callum McGregor.

45’+1′

Post update

Attempt blocked. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Ismaila Soro.

41′

Post update

Jeremie Frimpong (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

41′

Post update

Foul by Andy Winter (Hamilton Academical).

37′

Post update

Greg Taylor (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

37′

Post update

Foul by Andy Winter (Hamilton Academical).

34′

Post update

Attempt missed. Odsonne Edouard (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Callum McGregor.

33′

Post update

Greg Taylor (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

33′

Post update

Foul by Lee Hodson (Hamilton Academical).

31′

Booking

Scott McMann (Hamilton Academical) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

31′

Post update

Jeremie Frimpong (Celtic) wins a free kick on the right wing.

31′

Post update

Foul by Scott McMann (Hamilton Academical).

27′

Post update

Corner, Hamilton Academical. Conceded by Kristoffer Ajer.

26′

Post update

David Turnbull (Celtic) wins a free kick on the right wing.

26′

Post update

Foul by Aaron Martin (Hamilton Academical).

25′

Post update

Corner, Hamilton Academical. Conceded by Greg Taylor.

24′

Post update

Foul by Odsonne Edouard (Celtic).

24′

Post update

Jamie Hamilton (Hamilton Academical) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

23′

Post update

Ryan Christie (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

23′

Post update

Foul by Charlie Trafford (Hamilton Academical).

22′

Post update

Foul by Kristoffer Ajer (Celtic).

22′

Post update

Scott McMann (Hamilton Academical) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

22′

Post update

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Hakeem Odoffin.

21′

Post update

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Kyle Gourlay.

21′

Post update

Attempt saved. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Jeremie Frimpong.

20′

Post update

Attempt blocked. David Turnbull (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Greg Taylor.

19′

Post update

Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) hits the left post with a header from the centre of the box. Assisted by Jeremie Frimpong with a cross.

17′

Post update

Ryan Christie (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

17′

Post update

Foul by Charlie Trafford (Hamilton Academical).

16′

Post update

Jeremie Frimpong (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

16′

Post update

Foul by Andy Winter (Hamilton Academical).

15′

Post update

Foul by Nir Bitton (Celtic).

15′

Post update

David Moyo (Hamilton Academical) wins a free kick on the left wing.

12′

Post update

Attempt missed. Nir Bitton (Celtic) header from the centre of the box is just a bit too high. Assisted by David Turnbull with a cross following a corner.

12′

Post update

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Ben Stirling.

9′

Post update

Attempt missed. Nir Bitton (Celtic) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Ryan Christie with a cross following a corner.

8′

Post update

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Charlie Trafford.

8′

Post update

Attempt blocked. Ryan Christie (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.

6′

Post update

Offside, Hamilton Academical. Ben Stirling tries a through ball, but Aaron Martin is caught offside.

5′

Booking

Nir Bitton (Celtic) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

5′

Post update

Foul by Nir Bitton (Celtic).

5′

Post update

Andy Winter (Hamilton Academical) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

3′

Post update

Attempt saved. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Odsonne Edouard.

Kick Off

First Half begins.

Posted at 15:10 26 Dec15:10 26 Dec

Post update

Lineups are announced and players are warming up.

…