Celtic survive scare to go back on top

Neil Lennon says his side must drastically improve how they start games after Celtic survived an early scare to come from behind to defeat Hamilton 3-1 and top the Scottish Premier League.

Hamilton had taken a shock third minute lead through Mark McLaughlin, however, Shaun Maloney scored either side of half-time before Gary Hooper’s strike sealed a magnificent seven out of seven wins for the Hoops.

It leaves Celtic ahead of rivals Rangers on goal difference who themselves needed to come from behind as a Steven Naismith goal three minutes into injury time helped maintain their perfect start to the league campaign with a 2-1 win away to Hearts.

The sides meet in the first Old Firm derby of the season in three weeks time at Celtic Park.

And as several of his players head off on international duty the Hoops boss says his side must rid themselves of the complacency they have shown in the early parts of matches this season if they are to come out on top against their Glasgow rivals.

“We got better as the game went on but in the opening 15 or 20 minutes we were poor,” Lennon said.

“On numerous occasions our decision making was poor and our defensive discipline was poor. We switched off, we were complacent, we were playing our own individual games and not working as a unit.

“So we had to give it to them a little bit at half-time and the second-half was much better.

“However we have to defend set pieces a lot better and get to the second ball a lot quicker and start winning some headers.

“I would much rather we started the games a lot better and get on the front foot and impose ourselves but that wasn’t the case against Hamilton.

“In the second-half we were fine, but we can’t start matches like that. You can’t just walk onto the pitch and switch a light on, you have to prepare yourself properly.

“We keep drumming it into them. I don’t know whether or not they are taking it on board at the minute but we will get to the bottom of it sooner rather than later.

“We will keep pushing, keep challenging and trying to improve but we need a big improvement on that performance.”

At 1-0 down only a man-of-the-match performance from Celtic keeper Fraser Forster stopped Billy Reid’s side increasing their lead as they produced a showing that belied their lowly league status.

And the on-loan Newcastle United stopper earned high praise from Lennon.

“Our keeper was fantastic and he had to be. He has made a big difference to us from a defensive point of view and he made some great saves early on that kept the score down and gave us a chance to get a foothold in the game.

“We have been very impressed with him and he came with some very high recommendations from good people in the game.”

Celtic’s Maloney celebrated his recall to the Scotland squad with a well taken double against Hamilton, including a superbly struck free-kick.

And the midfielder, who is in line to face the Czech Republic and world champions Spain, is delighted to be heading into the games on a high.

“It is always nice to go into an international week in pretty good form so it was good timing,” Maloney said.

“I was delighted to be named in the squad and I looking forward to meeting up with the squad so I am really pleased.

“I think I said previously that I need to get on the scoresheet consistently and fortunately today was one of those days.”