MX23RW : Saturday, November 9 02:16:39| >> :120:46308:46308:

Celtic boss Neil Lennon refuses to underestimate Hamilton

Celtic will look to keep their recent resurgence going against the Premiership's second-bottom team on Boxing Day.

Neil Lennon's Celtic side are back on form but he expects a Boxing Day battle at depleted Hamilton.

The Hoops beat Premiership basement side Ross County 2-0 at Parkhead on Wednesday night to make it four wins in row, albeit their William Hill Scottish Cup final victory over Hearts on Sunday was through a penalty shoot-out.

The champions will look to keep the pressure on Rangers, who are 16 points clear at the top of the table having played three games more.

Brian Rice's side lost 2-0 at home to Livingston on Wednesday to remain four points ahead of County and have 10 players out through either injury or Covid-19 issues.

However, the Parkhead boss believes Accies are always capable of an upset.

Lennon said: "That is Hamilton. They will lose a couple and then win when you least expect them to.

"That is the danger of this game.

"Physically they are a strong team, they are well-drilled defensively by Brian and at set-plays they are a handful so it is going to be a difficult game.

"It is not a foregone conclusion by any means but we know what is at stake. It is always a stuffy game.

"We beat them well (5-1 at home) at the start of the season but what we are looking for is another good performance, another win, but we have to be on our mettle because it is a tough place to go and they will be very motivated to get something from us.

"You have to go there, get your attitude right, play the pitch and conditions the right way.

"We are on a decent wee run at the minute and we have to keep going."

Lennon refused to look any further than Hamilton, despite an Old Firm game at Ibrox on January 2 looming.

He said: "We are still 16 points behind so we have a lot of work to do.

"There is no point thinking about what is going to happen against Dundee United or Rangers, we have to focus on Hamilton and make sure we get the win and see what happens after that."

Skipper Scott Brown and defender Shane Duffy missed the visit of the Staggies through injury but Lennon is hopeful of their return for the trip to Lanarkshire.

The Northern Irishman said: "They should be okay. Browny had an abductor strain and Shane had a slight niggle in the hamstring.

"They will be assessed on Christmas Day but particularly Brown should be fine and we are hoping Shane will be okay as well."

ID:427881: cacheID:427881:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3916:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Hamilton Academical manager Brian Rice pictured in August 2020
Read Next:
Brian Rice urges injury-hit Hamilton to play without fear against Celtic
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Celtic109102932628
2Aberdeen109102091128
3RangersRangers10613158719
4Dundee UnitedDundee Utd114431513216
5Motherwell105141313016
6Dundee113351720-312
7St Mirren123361521-612
8Kilmarnock113351523-812
9Ross County122641018-812
10St Johnstone123181525-1010
11Hearts122371419-59
12Hibernian111551016-68


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!