LENNY WARNS OF ‘DIFFICULT’ ACCIES

NEIL LENNON is aware Celtic relied on a stoppage-time goal from skipper Scott Brown to prise three points from Hamilton Accies when they met early last month.

On Sunday, the Hoops boss takes the champions to the FYO stadium, where an early strike from James Forrest was the only strike of the game in September.

Lennon, with his side five points clear at the top of the Premiership, is looking for his players to maintain the 100 per cent record in 2020.

So far, there has been a 2-1 victory over Partick Thistle in the Scottish Cup and league successes over Kilmarnock (3-1), Ross County (3-0) and St Johnstone (3-0).

Lennon, speaking the Celtic website, said: “We had a last-gasp winner at home the last time we played and we won 1-0 before that.

THE WINNER…James Forrest steers in a Mohamed Elyounoussi cross for the points-clincher at Hamilton in September.

“We have to be on our game. Hamilton do a great job every year, it’s a difficult venue with the pitch, but we have good momentum to keep going.”

Reflecting on the three-goal salvo in Perth, Lennon added: “Wednesday night was so pleasing and we were breathtaking at times. It was fantastic to watch and I don’t think anyone can have complaints with that performance. We played with zest, quality, we had a great attitude and we scored goals.

“There are going to be ups and downs along the way, Sunday will be a different game psychologically. In terms of where we are physically, I’m very happy.

“Mohamed Elyounoussi will come back into training on Saturday, but Sunday will be too soon for him.

“The players are intelligent and familiar enough with the formations we’ve used. The fixture schedule doesn’t give us a lot of time to work on bigger areas at training, but it’s then about rest and recovery so that everyone is available and ready to come and play.”