NET GAIN FOR THE STRIKERS

0 Comments | Sunday Mirror, Apr 5, 2009 | by RONNIE ESPLIN

CELTIC 4 Samaras 5, 66, McGeady 22, Vennegoor of Hesselink 83 HAMILTON 0

CELTIC capitalised on rivals Rangers' difficult week by cruising to a six-point lead in the SPL.

Early strikes from Aiden McGeady and then two-goal Georgios Samaras allowed Gordon Strachan's side to enjoy themselves at the expense of an Accies outfit which never looked capable of pulling off another top league shock.

Samaras and striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink tied things up in a win which puts clear blue water between the Hoops and their pursuers.

Just like Cambridge in last week's boat race, Rangers will attempt to play catch-up at Falkirk today, but there was no mistaking the satisfaction coursing through Parkhead last night.

Celtic midfielder Marc Crosas reckons that on a day when Hoops' top scorer Scott McDonald failed to get on target, the return to form of Vennegoor of Hesselink and Samaras is a major step towards the title.

He said: "The important thing is that we won but it is also important Sammy and Jan scored again.

"It will give a big boost to their confidence. They have been scoring in training, like always, but today we won the first of our nine finals and it is crucial for the team and also for them to score again.

"They get more chances in some matches than others and it was like that today.

"I will watch the Rangers game tomorrow but our work is to be ready for our matches." Strachan was delighted with his side's performance. He said: "I think overall it was top-class today from start to finish.

"But yes, it was pleasing for Jan to get a goal and Sammy two - that's three they have scored in one game so their average is going up.

"The attitude of the two of them has been fantastic. I told Jan recently that he should have no regrets - he did not need to reproach himself.

"I told him that he trained incredibly hard and did as much as he could and he was a total professional, so things like this happen and you have to keep at it.

"We needed the second and then we could relax. And after three we could take in the rest of the game.

"It was a good day's work but it is a big day tomorrow and we have to see how our opponents go. It's a cliche but we had to do our stuff today and we had to do it with real class and real professionalism. I'm pleased."

Accies boss Billy Reid was not downhearted by his side's defeat by the leaders but he admitted he was unhappy with the way that Celtic's early goals from Samaras and McGeady arrived too easily.

He said: "We are not really judged when playing against Celtic at Parkhead.

"We wanted to come here and put in a good performance.

But we decided to go with a lot of youth and gave Stuart Mills his debut and I thought that he handled it pretty well.

"We had nothing to lose as nobody expected us to win. "But I was disappointed in the first two goals we lost.

"We knew Celtic would have lots of possession but I thought that we started fairly well. The first goal was a bit of a disaster though. I think the ball went through Alex Neil's legs but I don't know how it happened.

"And then Grant Evans was done with the ball in behind for Aiden's goal and it was a good finish.

"After that it was always going to be difficult. "We tried to pass the ball but Celtic are a good side at home and were deserved winners.

"Not many teams take anything away from Parkhead so we won't let our heads go down. There are a lot of vital games ahead and we will work very hard."