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Samaras scores tenth goal of the season to send Celtic top

04/10/2008

Celtic moved back to the top of the Scottish Premier League thanks to a 4-0 win over Hamilton Academicals at Parkhead.

Although they lost Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink to injury in the first minute of the game Georgios Samaras proved he is an able replacement as he notched his 10th goal of the season.

Tomas Cerny was by far the busier of the two goalkeepers and did well to keep his side in it as Celtic put Hamilton to the sword in the first half.

But Celtic managed to open the scoring in the 25th minute, Aiden McGeady crossed to the far post where Nakamura was on hand to smash the ball past Cerny.

Having denied Samaras and McDonald Cerny was then fortunate to see the Australian's shot come back off the post.

But the Bhoys did not have to wait much longer for the second of the game. Nakamura this time turned provider for Samaras to score.

Hamilton failed to threaten the Celtic goal during the match and that invited further pressure on Cerny.

McDonald ended what little hope Hamilton had left of salvaging something from the game when he scored Celtic's third.

It was an excellent solo attempt from last season's top scorer. He out-muscled the defence, spinning round several challenges in the box before slotting it past Cerny.

With ten minutes to go Hamilton had the chance to get a goal back from the penalty spot but Celtic keeper Artur Boruc make a brilliant double save to deny James McCarthy.

Late on McGeady slid in to make it 4-0 and complete a comprehensive win for the home side.

Elsewhere, a late winner from Craig Bryson allowed Kilmarnock to move into third in the table after beating Hearts 2-1 at Rugby Park.

Hibernian were able to leapfrog their Edinburgh rivals with a 2-1 win away to Aberdeen, while Dundee United are now 6th following a 2-1 win at home over Inverness.