Celtic 2-0 Hamilton Academical: Leigh Griffiths & Odsonne Edouard on target for hosts

Celtic claimed their first win of 2021 to arrest a troubling winless slump by seeing off Hamilton Academical in the Scottish Premiership.

Four games without victory offered a bleak precursor but Leigh Griffiths lit the path to victory with a sweet strike early on.

Odsonne Edouard then netted his 13th goal of the term just after the break.

Neil Lennon's Celtic remain 23 points behind undefeated league leaders Rangers with three games in hand.

Hamilton, who failed to build on a bright start, remain anchored at the foot of the table, a point adrift of Ross County who they face next.

• Podcast: Reaction to Wednesday's action

• Reaction & as it happened

Sheets of snow offered a picturesque backdrop to Celtic's draw in Livingston last week, a result which added to a winless run of results that was their longest for over two decades.

But it was the winds of change that have blown over Celtic in the last few months that was noticeable again in this one.

Manager Lennon admitted earlier in the week that unnamed players have signalled their desire to leave, while wantaway right-back Jeremie Frimpong signed for Bayer Leverkusen pre-match.

But those who remain to pick of the pieces of what appears to be a shattered 10-in-a-row bid held it together in a performance, that while not at their scintillating best, was much more like it from the defending champions.

It was a first half defined by a moment of magic from Griffiths and a glut of chances missed. The Scotland striker, on his sixth consecutive start, shaped for goal after 12 minutes only to drive a low effort skidding into the bottom corner across Ryan Fulton.

For as instinctive as the opener was, his killer touch deserted him moments later as he fresh-aired Callum McGregor's cutback.

McGregor, Edouard and Turnbull would also go close for the hosts, while at the other end David Moyo spurned a great chance before the break, steering a close-range effort wide.

It proved costly with the game almost beyond the visitors just three minutes after break. This time Griffiths turned provider, shuttling a sharp pass into the feet of Edouard. The Frenchman wriggled clear of the falling Jamie Hamilton and Fulton in goal before scooping high into the net.

Accies tried their best to force a late lifeline with a handful of corners, but the returning Scott Bain remained untested during the closing stages.

Man of the match - Ismaila Soro

David Turnbull was excellent again for Celtic, but his midfield partner ran the show against Accies. Ismaila Soro produced another industrious performance

What did we learn?

This was better from Celtic. Without the departed Frimpong, the suspended Scott Brown, and on the back of a rotten run, they were well worth their win here.

At times, there was a swagger to their play. Turnbull was again dynamic, McGregor drove with purposes, Ismaila Soro influential while Kris Ajer was causing problems at right-back. Tougher tests will come, but this result steadies a ship which has rocked ever since that Old Firm defeat at the start of the month.

Hamilton will not be judged on their performances against Celtic. Still, there was enough here to give Brian Rice encouragement. A steady start was extinguished by the boot of Griffiths, but a late rally demonstrated the character in his ranks.

Instead, the focus must be on a huge match next Wednesday against Ross County. A victory for either side could prove decisive come May.

What they said

Celtic manager Neil Lennon: "I'm delighted with three points and the clean sheets, but overall delighted with the team and their attitude.

"We created good chances, we need to be more ruthless. To be fair Hamilton threw bodies in the way and the goalkeeper played well."

Hamilton head coach Brian Rice: "I'm delighted with the spirit we showed. You can come here and get rolled over quite easily. But for my boys to keep at it and create a few chances, I can't ask any more.

"I believe we can stay in the division. I'm positive, I've not seen too much to say we will get cut adrift."

What's next?

Celtic host St Mirren on Saturday (15:00 GMT) in the Scottish Premiership, while Hamilton welcome Ross County to Lanarkshire in a basement battle on Wednesday (18:00).