BIRTHDAY BOY RODGERS DEFENDS CALAMITY ACCIES KEEPER FULTON
BRENDAN RODGERS last night reached out to calamity keeper Ryan Fulton after the Accies No.1 gift-wrapped three points for the Celtic manager’s birthday.
The former Liverpool kid, coached by Rodgers at Anfield, spilled two howlers in a win for the champions which opened up a three-point gap at the top of the table.
But the Hoops boss, who turned 46 yesterday, admitted he felt for the 22-year-old (above with Rodgers) after a dazzling start to the game turned sour.
Rodgers said: “He was an outstanding young goalkeeper, he was highly-rated there but like all young keepers he needed to get out and play. As you saw in the first half, he makes saves, he kicks the ball a mile.
“Young Ryan was unfortunate though he might get a bit of stick for the second one but the first one was difficult, coming through so many bodies and seeing it late. It was similar to the Tottenham one the other night.
“And he was maybe even unlucky with the second one as well because the pitch is a wee bit bobbly and it just popped up in front of him. But he kept the score down for Hamilton.”
The Hoops had been kept at bay for 40 minutes by the heroics of Fulton until he let a long distance drive from midfielder Callum Mcgregor slip through his legs. The keeper was at fault again with a fumble which allowed Ryan Christie to score a second in the 76th minute.
Scott Sinclair headed in a late third from a Mikael Lustig cross for his 13th goal of the season.
Rodgers noted Sinclair’s contribution as he added: “I have known Scotty for years and, yes, he might not always play well but his consistency in the last couple of months has been excellent.
“What he will always do is he will always score a goal. You can see his confidence is at a really high level.”