Celtic go top after easy defeat of new boys Hamilton

Celtic replaced Rangers at the top of the Scottish Premier League with a 4-0 thrashing of newly-promoted Hamilton at Parkhead on Saturday.

The Scottish champions sit top of the table on goal difference with their Old Firm rivals playing St Mirren on Sunday.

Shunsuke Nakamura put the Hoops ahead before substitute Georgios Samaras doubled their lead. Scott McDonald made it 3-0 in the second-half before Aiden McGeady sealed the emphatic win with Artur Boruc saving a penalty in between.

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan said he was absolutely delighted with the attitude of his players in the match.

“Attitude could have been a problem today,” the Hoops boss said. “It was windy and wet and we had just played a European tie and had been on the plane for a long time.

“But to start the way we did with the energy and being respectful to Hamilton was fantastic. Everyone was terrific today.”

Hamilton manager Billy Reid said his side did not do themselves justice in the game. “That is the first real big going over we have had this season,” said Reid. “If I am being honest I think it could have been more than four.”

Both teams took time to settle in the wet and windy conditions but it was the home side that dominated the first half.

Celtic made several changes from the team that went down 1-0 to Villarreal midweek in the Champions League with Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink partnering McDonald up front and midfielder Barry Robson coming in at left-back.

But within seconds of the start Celtic were forced into a change when Vennegoor of Hesselink was replaced by Samaras after the Dutchman was injured going in for a challenge with Brian Easton.

Celtic's first chance fell to the Greek striker in the 15th minute when he headed a Robson cross goal-ward but the danger was eventually cleared off the line by Martin Canning.

The Hoops took the lead after 25 minutes through Nakamura. A McGeady cross from the right found the Japanese international unmarked at the back post and he took a touch before rifling the ball past Tomas Cerny.

The Parkhead side piled on the pressure and McDonald came close to doubling the lead six minutes later when his first-time volley from a Mark Wilson cut-back thudded off the post.

Samaras scored his tenth goal of the season in the 36th minute. The giant Greek side-footed the ball past Cerny after connecting sweetly with a Nakamura cross from the left.

McGeady blew a chance to increase the lead two minutes from half-time when his weak effort was easily saved by the keeper after McDonald had played him into the box.

Hamilton defender Easton nearly scored an own-goal shortly after the break when he volleyed a McGeady cross inches past his own post.

In the 61st minute James McArthur went on a surging run from his own half and with the Celtic defence standing off him he tried his luck with a shot from the edge of the box which flew past Boruc's post.

Celtic increased their lead after 75 minutes through McDonald. The Australian came out of a challenge in the box from Canning with the ball and then calmly slid the ball under Cerny.

A superb double save from Boruc denied Hamilton a consolation goal after James McCarthy was awarded a controversial penalty after 77 minutes. McArthur's weak effort was easily saved by the Polish keeper and he got up to palm away the penalty-taker's follow-up header.

McGeady made it 4-0 with eight minutes remaining. Substitute Shaun Maloney produced a skilful display on the left wing before cutting the ball back to the Irish international who side-footed the ball into the net.

At Pittodrie Hibernian defeated Aberdeen 2-1 thanks to a Derek Riordan double either side of a Lee Miller penalty.

Jon Daly scored for the second game in a row as Dundee United defeated Inverness Caledonian Thistle 2-1 at Tannadice with Lee Wilkie scoring United's other goal.

At Tynecastle Craig Bryson and Mehdi Taouil secured a 2-1 win for Kilmarnock with Laryea Kingston scoring for Hearts.