SPL - Celtic hit top spot with win

Eurosport - Sun, 25 Oct 12:21:00 2009

Celtic went one point clear at the top of the SPL with a 2-1 win over Hamilton Academicals at New Douglas Park.

2009-10 SPL Celtic's Shaun Maloney celebrates - 0

Shaun Maloney and Scott McDonald both scored their fourth league goals of the season as the Bhoys went above rivals Rangers, who drew with Hibernian on Saturday. Mikael Antoine-Curier netted a goal late on to give the home side hope but which ultimately turned out to be merely a consolation.

Accies had started the brighter but found themselves a goal down on 15 minutes went Maloney (pictured) volleyed Andreas Hinkel's cross to the far post back across Tomas Cerny and into the far corner.

Tony Mowbray's side doubled their lead on the half-hour when Georgios Samaras was tackled on the edge of the area by James McArthur, only for the ball to break for McDonald who fired home from close range.

Hamilton were kept at bay for most of the match, mainly due to the performance of Lukasz Zaluska, making his league debut for Celtic in place of the injured Artur Boruc. However, the Pole's goal was breached on 83 minutes.

Celtic could only half-clear a Hamilton free-kick and Antoine-Curier steered McArthur's shot past Zaluska from close range for his third SPL goal of the campaign.

Celtic played the final 15 minutes of the first half with 10 men after Stephen McManus and Mark McLaughlin clashed head in an aerial duel. McLaughlin retook the field soon afterwards, but McManus spent the rest of the half on the sidelines being treated for the wound to his head, which required six stitches.

That clash resulted in a free-kick for Hamilton in a good position, but Richard Hastings fired his effort well over the bar.

Despite their numerical advantage, Hamilton could not make it count, and McManus rejoined the action for the start of the second half.

Celtic had chances to kill the game off after the break, with McDonald glancing a free header wide and Maloney firing a well-struck free-kick just off target.

However, as Hamilton pressed in order to salvage something from the game, Zaluska impressed with several good saves, tipping a fierce shot from substitute Jordan Kirkpatrick round the near post before coming off his line to save from McArthur in the final minutes to keep the score at 2-1 and ensure Celtic went top.

Tony Mabert / Eurosport

Comment 1 - 12 of 12

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  1. Time for a root and branch look at the club...get rid­ of the dead weight and poor performers. I would prefer­ coming in behind Rangers this year if the club can­ promise new, younger and more ambitious talent for next­ year. Squads all over Denmark, Norway, Romania, etc.­ have quality young player from South America on the­ books, Celtic may need to expand the scouting network­ outside of Northern Europe if they want to compete.

    From seaniebhoy163, on Mon 26 Oct 5:31PM

  2. Lets just face it. Celtic are top of a pub league. And­ that is being slanderous to pub leagues up and down the­ cuntry. Celtic and Rangers? Would rather watch milk­ curdle.

    From Andy, on Mon 26 Oct 5:16PM

  3. #5 and #9, who's top of the league???????? mind­ your own sorry team.

    From Celticsc50, on Mon 26 Oct 4:55PM

  4. another poor show celtic no wonder the fans are leaving­ in the thousands

    From the azzurri, on Mon 26 Oct 9:10AM

  5. performances matter not a jot leagues are not won by­ performances they are won by points
    and today we got­ all 3 we are top of the disney league now so lets get­ behind the imposters
    who dont deserve to be called­ CELTIC players but are cos the money men dont want to­ spend
    on the team so if thats the case lets do what we­ have done in the past SHOW THEM WHO HAS THE REAL ­ POWER BACK THE TEAM
    BUT NOT THE BOARD
    BRING BACK­ WEE FERGUS

    HAIL!HAIL!

    From timalloy, on Sun 25 Oct 9:21PM
  6. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    good to see our other polish goal-keeper,get a game­ today,good save near the end,,kept us with full points­ well done,say ello to artur,for martin fae krakow....

    From UB40,LOCHEE, on Sun 25 Oct 7:09PM
  7. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    good to see our other polish goal-keeper,get a game­ today,good save near the end,,kept us with full points­ well done,say ello to artur,for martin fae krakow....

    From UB40,LOCHEE, on Sun 25 Oct 7:09PM
  8. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    take anything when your struggling like we are(on th­ park)..fail fail th racist biggots

    From zzgus f, on Sun 25 Oct 6:17PM
  9. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    yes poor game again from a celtics man veiw,mcdonalds­ body- language tells u something,seen it many atime,­ subbed so ee spits the dummie oot,changed man since his­ 1st season,fingers crossed wee can survive in europe,­ PS RESPECT TO THE REST OF THE SPLers FOR CMPETTING WIFF­ US ALD-FIRM HAIL;HAIL TOMMY BURNS

    From UB40,LOCHEE, on Sun 25 Oct 5:23PM
  10. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    yes poor game again from a celtics man veiw,mcdonalds­ body- language tells u something,seen it many atime,­ subbed so ee spits the dummie oot,changed man since his­ 1st season,fingers crossed wee can survive in europe,­ PS RESPECT TO THE REST OF THE SPLers FOR CMPETTING WIFF­ US ALD-FIRM HAIL;HAIL TOMMY BURNS

    From UB40,LOCHEE, on Sun 25 Oct 5:23PM
  11. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    yet another fabulous performance by mowbray's world­ beaters.
    we were very lucky today. hamilton deserved a­ draw.

    From frankiethebear2002, on Sun 25 Oct 3:50PM
  12. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Hi Here's how to get yourself a­ free Slim­ Playstation 3, Wii or Ipod

    Just go to urfreegifts. co.­ uk (copy/paste that into your browser but remove the­ spaces) and­ follow these three simple steps:

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    Just go to urfreegifts.­ co. uk (copy/paste that into your browser but remove­ the spaces)

    From Gillian, on Sun 25 Oct 3:43PM
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