2017-09-08: Hamilton 1-4 Celtic, SP

Match Pictures | Matches: 2017 – 2018 | 2017-18 Pictures

Trivia

• Celtic back after a long international break.
• Debut for Odsonne Edouard who capped a fair debut with a fine goal in a comfortable easy victory
• Rested various international players, whilst Roberts makes return to Celtic.
• Ex-Celt Gary Mackay Stevens was rescued from the River Kelvin. The player spent an hour in the water before being rushed to hospital where he was treated to hypothermia. One report states he had been staggering around Glasgow nightclub Sanctuary and bumping into customers before being punched “between five to eight times” according to a witness on the same night out the Aberdeen winger had to be rescued from the River Kelvin.
• Celtic release statement saying if SFA don't agree to Rangers EBT review it represents "failure in transparency and leadership."
• Internationals:
  Scotland beat Lithuania 3-0 away. Six Celtic players in the starting lineup for Scotland tonight. Four of the starting 11 are former Celtic Academy players.
• Scotland beat Malta 2-0 at home, to give the national side a fair chance to make the World Cup play-offs. Griffiths grabbed a goal and Brown was excellent.
• Scott Brown accused Malta’s Steve Borg of spitting on him during the World Cup qualifier at Hampden last night. The raging Celtic midfielder said: “He did spit on me, he is a horrible b*****d.” Brown didn’t retaliate, which could have earned him a booking and a suspension, and added: “He put his hand up to apologise but I managed to keep my head. The main thing was getting the three points.”
• Leigh Griffiths has played down fears he could be set to miss Celtic’s match against PSG after a calf injury forced him off against Malta. Griffiths said: “I got a wee kick on my calf but it shouldn’t be anything too serious and I should be fine
• Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell has been appointed to the Executive Board of the European Club Association (ECA). The ECA is the only independent body that represents football clubs at European level, with a focus on promoting and safeguarding the clubs’ interests on football matters.
• At Celtic, the thoughts and prayers of everyone at Celtic Football Club are with the family and friends of Davie Bunton who was Celtic’s oldest season ticket holder, aged 97.
• Partick Thistle’s oldest fan, Harry Calderhead, dies at 98. He was a regular at their matches for a very long time, and is regarded as one of the great Scottish football club supporters.
• SFA has rejected an approach from the SPFL for an independent review of the handling of non-payment of taxes by clubs in the aftermath of the recent and binding Supreme Court judgment against Rangers’ liquidators BDO.
• Conor Hazard, Celtic youth goalkeeper, signs for 4yr extenstion.
• Transfers:
• Transfer window closed.
• Odsonne Edouard signed one year loan deal with Celtic able to buy for £10m at end of season.
• Paddy Roberts resigns on loan (and not permanent) to a happy Celtic support, but many disappointed not permanent.
• Celtic were to get big windfall as ex-Celt Virgil Van Dijk sold for £80m est to Liverpool, sellon close to Celtic. Incredible, and proved we sold him for less than should have. Then it didn’t happen! Frustrated all.
• Celtic fended off late interest from a number of clubs on transfer deadline day in order to hold on to defender Jozo Simunovic.

Review

Rodgers: on debutant Odsonne Edouard: "Very (impressed). The kid has come in this week & left Paris at 30 odd degrees & been raining all week!"

(George McClusky of KDS)
That first half was sheer delight. Leave it to Brendan Rodgers to get Armstrong, Sinclair, Forrest, McGregor AND Roberts into the same team. I wouldn't have thought that possible, yet there it was, to blistering effect. That's a setup I'd love to see more and more often domestically as the season progresses.

Edouard — the movement was sensational. I think he's more mobile than Dembele, although there hasn't been much basis for comparison with the Moose being perma-crocked. Thrilling to see Edouard and Roberts combining for that goal first time out.

Running out of ways to say this: Scott Sinclair's consistency of application is fecking mind-blowing. He brings his talent to material effect so regularly. Dare I suggest it reminds me of Larsson? Yep.

I think manager and team are ready to give PSG a game.

(Caltonbhoy of KDS)
Given the pitch and especially it being wet our general play.passing and movement was sublime for the majority of the first half.

Paddy and Sinclair just a different level – Paddy seeing and making the passes we sometimes lack in our make up – Armstrong back on form – Brown's caught out a few times and some slack passing definitely suffering from playing for Scotland – Please rap it after October ffs Scott.

Edouard is a unit and for a youngster being thrown in like that he did well – Celtic Park on Tuesday night against PSG is going to be a bit different from New Douglas Park on a Friday night Eddie!!! – Glad he got his goal.

4-0 up coasting and Brendan is out on the touchline making notes on things he wasn't happy about and after that he is out cajoling and trying to coach Lustig on something – Also took the time before the game to come out on his own at the touchline (with the players inside) to applaud and acknowledge the Celtic Supporters who were already in – He is some man.

Good wee night through there – One Bhoy even went for a one singer one song rendition of "We've won the league again" – 8th September is a bit early for that but he is not wrong tbf.

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Hamilton 1 – 4 Celtic: Roberts and Edouard shine in comfortable win
Celtic's Scott Sinclair, left, celebrates his second goal with Odsonne Edouard and Patrick Roberts. Picture: SNS
ALAN PATTULLO
Published: 21:35 Friday 08 September 2017
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This was far from the work out Celtic might have preferred prior to an appointment with Paris Saint-Germain. It resembled Tuesday’s assignment only in being played under floodlights.
READ MORE – Hamilton 1 – 4 Celtic: Roberts and Edouard shine in comfortable win
After a near fortnight off for internationals Brendan Rodgers’ side eased back into action with a straightforward win at Hamilton to extend their run to 54 domestic games unbeaten. This was a bulletin of news that was able to be delivered at half-time after first an opener from Stuart Armstrong and double from Scott Sinclair.
Odsonne Edouard marked his debut with a goal in the second-half and completed his first 90 minutes for his new club. Alex Gogic scored what was very much a consolation goal for Hamilton near the end.
Celtic make a perhaps ominous move to the top of the league. It might well be a temporary situation on this occasion, with more Premiership action to come today.
After being sinned against last Monday when spat upon by a Maltese defender Scott Brown was the sinner here, appearing to flick a boot out at Hamilton defender Ioannis Skondras in the first-half.
But it was only a fly in the ointment as Celtic luxuriated in the knowledge of having made the points safe by half-time.
Armstrong struck for the first time for Celtic since signing his new contract and Patrick Roberts showed glimpses why Rodgers showed patience in securing him on loan once more.
Two side-footed finishes set Celtic on their way. First Armstrong steered a shot into the far corner and then Scott Sinclair made it seem equally as easy, pushing a shot past Gary Woods from 14 yards.
As for Edouard, Hamilton on a Friday night might not be why he agreed to sign for Celtic. But it represented a game of football at least – his first taste of competitive action since turning out for Toulouse for the last time in January.
Celtic, playing an attacking 3-4-3 formation seemed designed to make up for their lack of fit defenders, were rampant at times.
Edouard looked initially uncomfortable on Hamilton’s artificial surface but he’s not for the first and won’t be the last. Once he found his feet he gave every indication that he’s another astute piece of business by Rodgers.
It was a long, long evening for Hamilton and their fans. Two goals down within half an hour they wanted to at least make to half-time without suffering any further damage. Even this meagre ambition went awry when Sinclair scored his second of the night four minutes before the interval.
There was little the home side could do to stop a team intent on wrapping things up as quickly as possible. There’s such a quick turnaround before their next appointment that PSG had to feature in the visitors’ thoughts.
Going from Hamilton to Paris would have been a greater extreme. But the different circumstances they will encounter when hosting PSG just a few short miles away at Parkhead on Tuesday still represents a huge leap for Celtic. The French side fielded a front four worth £454 million in their own Friday night assignment against Metz.
Celtic’s back three of Mikael Lustig, Jozo Simunovic and Kieran Tierney were given Rakish Bingham and promising Hamilton forward Steven Boyd to occupy them.
Unbeaten in their last three league outings, Hamilton had a right to feel they were not destined to be cannon fodder. But this is how it turned out on another occasion when Celtic’s qualities were to the fore.
It’s dispiriting for their rivals to return after the international break to find a Celtic team that has been augmented in attack, the area where they were particularly strong in any case.
Roberts was quick to shine on his return. Rewarded with the No 7 shirt after re-signing on loan last month, he relished playing for supporters who clearly adore him. His trickery when showing a clean pair of heels to Scott McMann down Celtic’s right flank helped the visitors on their way.
Roberts’ squared to McGregor, whose shot was blocked by Skondras.
McGregor picked up the rebound and transferred the ball back to Armstrong, who advanced into the box before making room for himself and sweeping past Woods.
It was a goal from the moment the ball left his right foot.
New boy Edouarde had a part to play in the second goal after Simunovic’s nicely weighted ball through the middle to the French striker. A McMann tackle saw the ball break kindly to Sinclair, who stroked home with ease.
Hamilton could not even make it to the sanctuary of the dressing room without falling further behind. There was misfortune involved.
Greg Docherty’s attempt to dispossess Sinclair saw him poke the ball against his own post. It might have come back out again or it might have gone out for a corner. Instead the ball ran along the face of the goal and was slammed in at the far post by Sinclair, who’d been alert enough to continue his run.
Sinclair came close to securing his hat-trick in the second half but it was Edouard who wrapped things up for Celtic, sliding the ball under Woods after 65 minutes. The Hamilton fans were admirably resilient and were rewarded for staying put when substitute Gogic headed in Ali Crawford’s corner with four minutes left.

Rangers tax case: Celtic criticise SFA and call for investigation
Celtic chief Peter Lawwell. Picture: John Devlin
ANGUS WRIGHT
Published: 12:15 Saturday 09 September 2017
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Celtic have criticised the SFA’s decision not to review Rangers’ tax case and appealed for the body to investigate events leading to the liquidation of Rangers Oldco and governance issues.
• READ MORE: SFA rejects SPFL request for independent review into taxes
In a statement released on the club’s website, Celtic say a failure to do so “would represent a failure in transparency, accountability and leadership”.
It leads back to the Rangers’ use of tax-free loans, known as Employee Benefit Trusts, to players and staff between 2001 and 2010.
Following a Supreme Court ruling in HMRC’s favour over Rangers Oldco, the Scottish Professional Football League called for a review in July. However, the SFA opted against doing so, stating that it would only lead to “raking over coals” and “the image of the game in Scotland can only be damaged further”.
Celtic expressed their disappointment with that decision and believe that an indepdent review is “essential if a line is to be drawn under this whole affair”.
• READ MORE: Aberdeen chief backs SFA decision to reject review of Rangers tax case
The statement read: “In the light of all information that has now become available, Celtic has been in correspondence with the Scottish Football Association in pursuit of the club’s belief that an independent review should be commissioned to consider the events that led to the liquidation of Rangers Oldco and the governance issues arising from those events. This is exactly the same position as adopted by the SPFL board on behalf of all Scotland’s 42 professional clubs.
“The club believes that such a review is essential if a line is to be drawn under this whole affair. On that basis, Scottish football could learn lessons and move on. The club considers, however, that failure to carry out a full review of these events and issues, which have been without precedent in Scottish football, would represent a failure in transparency, accountability and leadership.
“Celtic was, therefore, disappointed to note that the Scottish Football Association board has confirmed that it does not intend to commission such a review. Throughout these processes, Celtic’s consistent objective has been to establish the full facts, which is surely the least that all stakeholders in Scottish football – including the supporters of all clubs – are entitled to, and to learn the appropriate lessons. That remains our position.”

Five things we learned from Hamilton 1 – 4 Celtic
Celtic's Odsonne Edouard (second from right) celebrates his goal with his new team-mates. Picture: SNS

Craig Fowler

Published: 06:05 Saturday 09 September 2017
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Craig Fowler gives his take on Celtic’s comfortable Friday night victory over Hamilton Accies.
READ MORE – Hamilton 1 – 4 Celtic: Roberts and Edouard shine in comfortable win
Hamilton’s system didn’t match up
In fairness, Accies may have been thrown off their gameplan when they had a look at how Celtic lined-up. Brendan Rodgers opted for a 3-4-3 system, which didn’t match up all that well with the 3-5-2 of Accies. Sure, the hosts could – and, in hindsight, should – have changed things sooner, but it’s a formation that’s worked very well for them so far this season.
It quickly became evident that Accies had two players always ahead of the play. Usually teams will have just one when facing Celtic, and with good reason. You need all the help you can get in defence. It would be interesting to see whether a team with more firepower would have caused problems, with two strikers going against three centre-backs, but Steven Boyd and a returning-from-injury Rakish Bingham were never likely to create much magic on their own.
Furthermore, the two were often caught betwixt and between as to who they should be covering or closing down. As a result, Celtic’s back three were able to step up any time they liked, as long as they moved play quickly between them before doing so.
At the other end, the front three of Celtic were often able to isolate the three Hamilton centre-backs, and there was only going to be one winner in that regard.
The look on Beuzelin’s face summed it all up
With Celtic 2-0 up shortly after the half-hour mark, the BT Sport director switched to a shot of Martin Canning and assistant Guillaume Beuzelin discussing their options. Beuzelin was holding a clipboard with a sheet of paper illustrating the outlines of Hamilton’s team while Canning spoke. The look on the ex-Hibs’ midfielder’s face was a picture. It was a mixture of resignation and exasperation. It seemed to say, “what does it matter, they’re going to kill us anyway”.
Yes, as mentioned, Accies could have changed things up earlier and may have been in the game longer if Celtic stuck with their preferred 4-2-3-1. However, it likely wouldn’t have made much difference in the end. With debutants the calibre of Patrick Roberts and Odsonne Edouard, Hamilton would have been facing certain doom regardless.
Roberts is even better than a new signing
With a new signing you have to worry about them fitting into the team’s style of play and the dressing room itself. With Patrick Roberts, it’s already assured his transition into the Celtic team is going to be easy, and so it proved at New Douglas Park.
Watching the playmaker continually looking to find Scott Sinclair running into space beyond the Hamilton defence, you’d never have known the two hadn’t played a game with each other since late May. Once he gets his match sharpness back, there’s no telling what he could achieve in green and white hoops this season.
READ MORE – How Patrick Roberts fared on his second debut for Celtic
Griffiths and Dembele have some real competition
It’s safe to say Odsonne Edouard is an improvement on Tom Rogic or James Forrest operating as the No.9. You could even go as far as to say he’s an upgrade on Nadir Ciftci. The young striker was dropped right into the deep end after completing his move from PSG last week, but he could scarcely have looked more at home in his new surroundings.
Two particular passages of play demonstrated his ability. The first was the build up to the second goal. Quickly changing direction, he used Xavier Tomas’ momentum against him to steal a march on the Hamilton defender and take a ball from Jozo Simunovic in stride. Using his strength he brushed off Tomas’ attentions, and even though his run was eventually halted by a sliding tackle by Scott McMann, it caused enough mayhem to allow Scott Sinclair to dispatch the loose ball into the net.
Then, midway through the second half, he got himself on the scoresheet with a terrifically well-worked goal. Dropping deep to pick up the ball, he outmuscled Greg Docherty – no easy feat – before charging forward. Using his quick feet, he dribbled past the covering Darian MacKinnon before initiating his one-two with Roberts. Accelerating just a little to take himself beyond the retreating McMann, he was able to run on to the return pass in stride. While he may have got lucky with the finish, as Woods should have saved it, he deserves some credit for keeping his composure and striking his effort low.
Gordon is having issues with his concentration
As The SPFL Radar pointed out on Twitter at the conclusion of the game, Celtic have conceded three league goals this season and Craig Gordon has been, at least partly, at fault for all of them.
It’s an unusual and worrying trend for a goalkeeper who, to this writer’s mind, has never had as many mistakes in such a short period across his entire career, especially if you include both goals England scored in the World Cup qualifier back in June. Sure, he occasionally tries to decapitate opposing strikers, but he’s typically a safe pair of hands.
Last season the arrival of Dorus de Vries pushed Gordon to recapture his 2014/15 form, where he made an almost fairytale return from serious injury to be named Writer’s Player of the Year. But while De Vries is still at the club, he’s no longer a viable threat to the No.1 spot, and Gordon’s standards have slipped.
That in itself isn’t a problem necessarily domestically – they’ll still win the title if he chucks one in every week – but if such poor form translates on to the continent then Celtic’s hopes of competing in their group of death will become even more remote.

BBC

By Martin Dowden

BBC Scotland at the SuperSeal Stadium

From the section Football

Scottish Premiership highlights – Hamilton 1-4 Celtic

Celtic took their unbeaten domestic run to 54 matches as they swept Hamilton aside to move top of the Premiership.

Accies could not cope with Celtic's speedy attacks and fell behind to a Stuart Armstrong curler before Scott Sinclair scored twice before the break.

Odsonne Edouard worked a one-two with Patrick Roberts before finding the corner of the net on his debut, and the upright denied Sinclair a hat-trick.

Alex Gogic headed in Ali Crawford's corner for a late Accies consolation.

This was a dominant Celtic display, peppered with creativity and relentless attacking verve.

Brendan Rodgers gave Roberts a start, and he and Edouard contributed significantly to an approach that repeatedly ran Hamilton ragged.

The source of the opener was the rejuvenated Armstrong, who cut into the box and curled a wonderful effort into the far corner. Resolved contract negotiations seem to have done the Scotland midfielder the world of good.
Celtic celebrate Odsonne Edouard's debut goal, his team's fourth on the night
Celtic celebrate Odsonne Edouard's debut goal, his team's fourth on the night

Celtic's fluidity and rotation in the final third was impressive, with players interchanging repeatedly leaving Hamilton defenders bemused.

Edouard made quite the impression, his pace in behind leading to the second. He held off a challenge before the ball fell to Sinclair, who made no mistake with a curled finish.

Sinclair produced once again with a mazy run that resulted in the ball deflecting off a post, the prolific winger reacting first to reach the rebound and slam home.

This was all before half-time.

Rodgers 'delighted' at Edouard's Celtic debut

It is pertinent to remember Celtic were without their main strikers, Leigh Griffiths and Moussa Dembele. Edouard seemingly brings another genuine quality option for Rodgers in that area.

He drove at pace from a deep position, executed a one-two and found the corner to stretch Celtic's comfort. Moments later he smashed a header off the bar, though he had been flagged offside.

He then teed Sinclair up for a potential hat-trick, but the shot deflected off the post and behind.

The game was won well before that and from there the visitors seemed to drop a gear and conserve energy before their Champions League tie against Paris St-Germain on Tuesday.

Hamilton had come into this match on the back of a three-game unbeaten run after a positive start to the season.

They struggled to contain Celtic and, crucially, failed to hold on to the ball for any period of the game which played into the visitors' hands.

Any threatening moments were quickly snuffed out, with a lack of composure at the vital moment costly.

A consolation did arrive late on when substitute Gogic nodded home following a corner, with Craig Gordon looking at fault.

Overall, it was a night to forget for the hosts with the full-time whistle most likely a relief.

For Celtic, it was near perfect preparation for their next European adventure.