Celtic close gap in Scottish League
GLASGOW, Scotland (AFP) — Celtic reduced the gap at the top of the Scottish Premier League to one point with a 2-0 win over Hamilton here yesterday.
A super first-half strike from Glenn Loovens was all that separated the sides at Celtic Park until substitute Niall McGinn curled in a last minute goal.
Despite a plethora of chances for the home side the Hoops failed to show any real prowess in front of goal in a frustrating afternoon for Tony Mowbray’s strikers.
However the win piles the pressure on rivals Rangers who take on Hibernian at Easter Road today.
Celtic made just one change from last weekend with Stephen McManus coming in for the suspended Gary Caldwell as Mowbray kept faith with the side that lost to Hearts at Tynecastle.
Loovens was still in the Christmas spirit as his mistake gifted Marco Paixao a chance but his ambitious effort from 25 yards out went well over the bar.
Good close control allowed Aiden McGeady to bring down a long ball over the top and break into the Hamilton box but Thomas Cerny got down low to push his shot round the post.
McGeady was involved again as his cross picked out Scott McDonald in the box but the Australian could only glance his header wide and his follow-up shot was deflected out.
From the resultant corner Celtic took the lead in the 14th minute through Loovens.
Robson sent his kick deep into the Accies box and the Dutchman smashed his powerful volley low past Cerny into the middle of the net.
Samaras then sent McGeady racing down the wing but after beating Richard Hastings for pace the Irish international fired high into the side netting.