Hamilton boss Billy Reid refused to blame James McArthur for his late miss in the 2-1 defeat against Celtic.

Mickael Antoine-Curier`s strike seven minutes from time set up a nervy finale and only stand-in goalkeeper Lukasz Zaluska's fine save from McArthur in the dying stages, when the Accies midfielder was clean through on goal, prevented the home side stealing a point.

Reid said: "James hit the target and that's all you can ask. If he had put the ball past the post then you would say that he must hit the target but the keeper made a good save."

However, Reid had to hold his tongue with regards to midfielder Marco Paixao who carelessly lost possession to Andreas Hinkel for Celtic's first goal.

He added: "The first goal was poor from us, we gave the ball away cheaply and you can't do that against the Old Firm. I had a word with Marco but that will remain in-house.

"The one thing I will never do is criticise any of my players for trying things but you don't do it in your final third of the park."