Hamilton Academical 0-3 Celtic: Neil Lennon's side earn fifth straight win

Celtic's Scottish Premiership victory at Hamilton Academical was "the best we've played for a long time", said manager Neil Lennon.

The dominant visitors continued their recovery with a fifth straight win secured by Odsonne Edouard's second-half penalty and strikes from Leigh Griffiths and David Turnbull.

It keeps Celtic 16 points behind Rangers - who they face on Saturday - with three games in hand.

"We were outstanding," said Lennon.

"We still have a lot to claw back but are moving in the right direction, there's no doubt about that.

"We could have won by a lot more. There was a flair about us which I haven't seen in a while."

Second-bottom Hamilton, having had a victory over St Mirren suspended on the morning of the game pending the Paisley club's appeal, are a point above Ross County.

• Reaction & as it happened

That was an unexpected blow that Hamilton - having initially been awarded the points after St Mirren were found guilty of Covid-19 protocol breaches - could have done without amid an injury crisis depriving them of 10 players.

And from the moment stand-in goalkeeper Kyle Gourlay superbly denied Griffiths in the opening minutes, Celtic's third consecutive league victory seldom looked in doubt.

Yet Hamilton valiantly survived on the scraps of 20% first-half possession to delay the opener.

Griffiths met Jeremie Frimpong's cross to rattle an upright with a header, and had a drive parried over by Gourlay, who impressed again just before half-time when Edouard's touch on a Turnbull shot couldn't deceive the keeper.

Edouard, Ryan Christie and Nir Bitton also had efforts off target, but Hamilton's resistance crumbled within 10 minutes of the second period.

Aaron Martin was penalised for a foul on Edouard, who slammed the penalty into the net before linking with his strike partner to put the game beyond the hosts, laying the ball off for Griffiths to fire home from the edge of the box.

Hamilton were helpless as Celtic kept up the tempo and Turnbull curled inches wide before Ryan Christie stung the palms of Gourlay.

A deserved third arrived when Turnbull pounced to convert the rebound after Edouard's header from a Callum McGregor cross rebounded off a post.

Lennon's side could have enhanced their goal difference further as Turnbull smacked the side-netting and substitute Mohamed Elyounoussi's goal-bound header was diverted wide by Lee Hodson.

But after their struggles of recent months, the Celtic recovery continues with a third Premiership win and clean sheet in succession.

Man of the match - Odsonne Edouard

The French striker had a role in all three goals and linked well with Griffiths up front

What did we learn?

Depleted Hamilton's injury woes offered Celtic the ideal opportunity to rebuild confidence prior to next weekend's visit to Rangers.

And Lennon's side looked much more like the dominant force of last season, with the front two of Edouard and Griffiths particularly impressive.

Hamilton gave their all to keep the scoreline respectable and will hope to have bodies back to help ease their plight in the coming weeks.

What did they say?

Hamilton head coach Brian Rice: "It is the season for presents, isn't it? The penalty kick, in my opinion, was very soft and it changed the game.

"But we hung in and I can't fault the players. Their effort was magnificent."

Celtic manager Neil Lennon: "I thought we were outstanding. The attitude of the players was brilliant - and the way we played - we look far more like ourselves.

"Everything about the team today was excellent."

What's next?

Hamilton are away St Johnstone on Wednesday (15:00 GMT) in their final fixture of 2020 before hosting Lanarkshire rivals Motherwell on Saturday (15:00)

Celtic welcome Dundee United on Wednesday (15:00) then begin the new year with a seismic old Firm derby against Rangers at Ibrox on Saturday (12:30).