| Neil Lennon was not going to criticise centre-backs Glenn Loovens and Daniel Majstorovic after Celtic had to comeback from a poor opening period to beat Hamilton at Parkhead and move to the top of the SPL. Visiting Mark McLaughlin scored after just three minutes and, with the Hoops defence in some disarray, 'keeper Fraser Forster had to produce several good saves to keep his side in the game. However, it was Shaun Maloney who levelled the scoring with a header to ease the nerves of the home fans before scoring is and Celtic's second with a wonderful free-kick after the break. The scoring was completed by Gary Hooper and the win took them to the top of the table on goal difference. Lennon recognises he still has problems with the defence in his side but they are general rather than specific. Lennon said: "The opening 15 to 20 minutes was very poor and we went to sleep on numerous occasions. The decision-making was poor and the defensive discipline was poor. Our goalkeeper was fantastic and he had to be. He had to make some very good saves to keep the score down and allow us to get back in to the game. We had to give it to them at half-time and the second half was better. But overall, I've been pleased with the two centre-halves. I think they have looked pretty solid and they can't be at their best every game. They didn't have a great start today but in general they got better as the game went on. They weren't the only culprits. We were poor in possession and the tempo was poor. So I wouldn't point the finger at those two as the main reason we got off to a poor start. We had to dig deep, got the equaliser and after that we were much, much better. There must be (a way to change that mentality). We keep drumming it in to them, and I don't know why they are not taking it on board at the minute but we will get to the bottom of it sooner rather than later." Maloney celebrated his recall to the national side for the forthcoming Euro 2012 qualifying double-header against the Czech Republic and Spain with two goals. He said: "I said previously that I need to get on the scoresheet more consistently and fortunately today was one of those days. It was always nice to go in to an international week in pretty good form and I'm looking forward to meeting up on Monday. We didn't start the first 10 minutes that well but credit to Hamilton, they started very well and passed the ball very well. But I would say we controlled the majority of the second half so I'm pretty pleased." |