I was unable to get to the game due to my insistence that we stayed in Mallorca to witness the 8th day of consecutive rain! Fortunately Michael (Hugh McIlvaney) K. helped out.

 

As I watched the players warming up I was impressed by the size of the Hamilton players and wondered if this would be a real physical battle.  As it turned out, they were sheep in wolves' clothing.

 

Boruc       7        Disturbed me when he fumbled an early pass back but then had nothing to do the rest of the afternoon apart from one fine save when the game was already won.

 

Hinkel      6         Had little defensive duties as Hamilton rarely attacked effectively down his side of the field.  Despite many forays forward he did not deliver any telling crosses, tending to cut

inside and be closed down but redeemed himself with a great burst to set up Venegoor's goal

                          

 

McManus  7        After his exertions with the national team he was lucky that he was up against a team with no great pace up front and he gave a sound, mistake free performance.

 

Caldwell   8  MOM  Strolled through the game not putting a foot wrong and positive going forward.  His demeanour on the park made him look more like a captain than McManus

 

O'Dea        7        Carried out his defensive duties effectively as he was up against the only player in the Hamilton side who offered any threat.  A beautiful through ball in the first minute almost led to an even earlier opening goal.  Has not the pace to be an attacking wing back so cleverly used quick forward passes instead.

 

Nakamura  5        Apart from a brilliant cross field pass to set up McGeady's goal  and a few good corners, he did not make any real impression on the game, losing out in tackles and giving

slipshod passes.  Rightly substituted.

 

Brown        7         Would have been 6 but considering his international duties and his involvement in the drinking fiasco he showed amazing levels of energy and dominated in midfield due to

Hamilton retreating to a back five giving hin total freedom to charge forward.

 

Crosis         8         I liked his performance in  the holding role.  Not as biting in the tackle as Hartley and Robson but always in the right position, able to find space and distribute accurately. Not pacy but reads the game well.

 

McGeady    8         A constant threat and scored a good goal which could have been more.  Tended to come inside at times and be crowded out but set up several chances when he went down

the outside.

 

Samaris     8          At last he added finishing to his games with 2 good goals.  Would have been man of the match if he had shown better control when in possession and in a position to either

score himself or set up an opportunity.

 

McDonald    5        Perhaps it was jet lag but little worked for him today.  Greedy on two occasions when he could have given Samaris a real goal scoring opportunity. Rightly subbed.

 

 

Subs

 

Mizuno        4        A lively little spell from him, showing lots of pace  and eagerness to get on the ball but without any direct threat on goal.

 

Venegoor     5      Still cumbersome and slow but used his height and muscle well against the defenders and, at last, got the monkey off his back when he used his strength and positional sense

 to be in the right position to finish off McCourt's cross.

 

McCourt           3        After watching him for 10 minutes I was disappointed  -  he ran with the ball but appeared to have no idea where he was going, never looked up  so was unaware of the

position of his team mates.    Seems reasonably quick.

 

 

Referee       6         Had an easy game since the it was played without animosity and there were few incidents.  Did not recall any important mistakes although one of his linesmen did make one

                               to give Hamilton a rare chance at goal.

 

 

A tension free game as Celtic scored early and controlled affairs from then on.  It could have been seven again but never mind, a satisfactory performance with no bookings and apparently no

injuries.   Hamilton disappointed, especially young McCarthy  who was largely anonymous.

 

 

 

Goals   1    Samaras beat the offside trap, controlled the ball well and slotted passed the keeper as he came charging out.

 

             2   Delighful switch of play by Nakamura sent McGeady free to run in on the goalkeeper from the left hand side and an accurate shot across the keeper found the right hand corner.

           

             3   Good close footwork from Samaris carried him into the box on the left side and from a tight angle he slotted it into the far corner.

   

             4   McCourt showed good pace and control to pass 2 defenders and although sheperded almost to the goal line, cut the ball acrooss goal to give Venegoor an easy finish.