Daniel Arzani was given just over an hour on his Celtic debut as the young hoops lost 3-0 to Hamilton Accies in the Reserve League.
The newly laid plastic pitch at New Douglas Park was quite a contrast to appearing at the World Cup Finals in Russia for the kid on a two year loan from Manchester City.
Playing on the left flank Arzani had limited opportunities to shine with Calvin Miller charging up and down that wing as Celtic’s main creative force.
Arzani did show some great control on a couple of occasions but on a plastic pitch the ball always takes an extra half roll- next time out at Cappielow should be more suited for the Australian internationalist.
Celtic were taught some lessons on finishing by their hosts with Accies racing into a two goal lead after just 16 minutes.
Accies direct approach paid off as they broke with pace to force the hoops defence onto the back foot.
Twelve minutes into the match Arzani was dispossessed, two passes later Ross Cunningham was on his own and steered a 15 yard shot around Ryan Mullen into the net.
Celtic almost levelled three minutes later when a Wallace Duffy header forced a full length save from Ryan Fulton but seconds later the home side doubled their lead when Ryan Tierney found himself one on one with Mullen, took the ball wide then rolled it into the net.
Calvin Miller was causing the home defence plenty of problems down the flank but when his deliveries came into the penalty box they were cleared up.
Arzani showed a touch of class midway through the first half to create some space out on the left but his low shot across goal slipped past the far post.
Celtic had most of the possession but weren’t making in-roads on the Hamilton goal with the home side very comfortable playing on the counter attack.
After the break Celtic started positively as they pushed the Accies defence back but the home side were well drilled at the back keeping chances to a minimum.
Arzani and Grant Savoury were replaced in the 63rd minute by PJ Crossan and Scott Robertson with Celtic trying everything to force a goal.
Any doubts that it was going to be Hamilton’s day were ended in the 76th minute when a 25 yard free kick from substitute Reegan Mimnaugh cracked off the post and behind Mullen into the net.
CELTIC: Mullen; Ralston, Duffy, Welsh, Miller; Hill, McInroy; Henderson, Savoury (Robertson 63), Arzani (Crossan 63); Aitchison
Subs: Willison, Bell, Caffrey, Church, Mazis