Rice thrilled with a point but targets giant-killing act for visit to Celtic Park

HAMILTON boss Brian Rice praised his team for grinding out a point at Livingston — and now wants to outperform Lazio and Rennes by claiming a shock result at Celtic.

Accies created barely any opportunities during a dire spectacle in West Lothian but held on to move up to ninth spot in the Premiership.

They travel to Parkhead on Wednesday night to face the Scottish champions in what will be a daunting task.

But after seeing Lazio and Rennes fail to claim a point in Glasgow’s east end during their Europa League group campaign, Rice believes his men must not show any fear as they attempt to produce an almighty shock against Celtic.

‘We go to Celtic Park on Wednesday night and we know how difficult that is going to be,’ he said. ‘But if you have courage, determination and a wee bit of organisation, you just never know.

‘We are attempting to do something Lazio haven’t done and Rennes haven’t done and no other team in Scotland has done.

‘We all know the story of David and Goliath, so you have just got to believe. If things go your way and you get the rub of the green, or someone does something special, then you can get something out of the game.’

Reflecting on the draw at Livvy which left Accies without a win in eight games, Rice added: ‘It is a very difficult place to come as many teams have found out in this league. So to come here and get a clean sheet, I am delighted with it.

‘I don’t think there were too many chances in the game. It was a scrappy match but we stood up to it. I am delighted with the endeavour shown by the boys.’

In front of just 1,076 fans — the second-lowest Premiership attendance of the season — Accies almost gifted the lead to Livvy after 14 minutes.

Defender Sam Stubbs slipped in his own half, presenting Lyndon Dykes with the chance to burst down the left.

The striker’s cross found Scott Pittman in the penalty area but his effort was saved by goalkeeper Luke Southwood. A few minutes later, Jon Guthrie’s header from Steven Lawless’s free-kick on the left hit the inside of the post before Southwood clawed away the rebound.

Livingston thought they had lost captain Marvin Bartley when he came off worst in an aerial challenge as the hosts claimed for a penalty six minutes before half-time.

The former Hibernian midfield man eventually returned to the action but did not reappear after the interval.

On-loan Reading No 1 Southwood had to be alert on 53 minutes when Robbie Crawford took aim from 25 yards. The Englishman saved the deflected shot and smothered the ball at the second attempt.

Dykes was then claiming for a penalty as the ball was delivered from a corner and deflected behind but referee Willie Collum ruled Stubbs had not handled.

Hamilton fans had to wait until the 74th minute for something to shout about. Scotland Under-21 international Lewis Smith jinked in from the right and fired a shot that went narrowly over the bar.

Afterwards, Livvy boss Gary Holt, whose side sit seventh and have not won in seven games since they beat Celtic 2-0 at home, said: ‘You’ve got to earn the right to win the game. You’ve got to be proactive and create chances.

‘I thought we were in the ascendancy to try and win the game and had a lot of the play in the second half, but we needed to be a wee bit braver.’