Through the wind and rain and across the plastic pitch favoured by Hamilton Accies Celtic delivered some festive cheer and hope for 2021 to their fans watching through the steamy camera lens’ provided by Sky Sports.
Hamilton were apparently down nine or 10 players but Brian Rice was still able to put 11 men behind the ball with attacking play barely an after thought for the home side.
Celtic had half a dozen chances to go in front before half-time but Nir Bitton, Leigh Griffiths and Odsonne Edouard were all thwarted by the bodies that the home side were able to throw across their own penalty box.
Playing with the wind behind them in the second half Celtic made the breakthrough in the 49th minute from the penalty spot through Edouard after he had been fouled.
Five minutes later came the sort of goal that Celtic fans have been waiting all season for, Edouard held the ball up perfectly before back-heeling it into the path of Leigh Griffiths who made it three goals in a week with a low drive from 20 yards out.
With 16 minutes left to play David Turnbull showed his eye for goal by slotting the ball home from six yards out as the ball pinged around the Accies goal.
All eyes are now on Wednesday’s team news as the clock ticks down towards Ibrox on Saturday where the result will have a massive bearing on how 2021 shapes up for Neil Lennon and his side.
