NO RYAN SHAME
Brendan Rodgers last night reached out to calamity keeper Ryan Fulton after the Hamilton No.1 gift-wrapped three points for the Celtic manager’s birthday.
The former Liverpool kid spilled two howlers in a 3-0 win for the champions that opened up a three-point gap at the top of the Premiership.
But the Hoops boss, who turned 46 yesterday, admitted he felt for the 22-year-old kid he coached at Anfield after a dazzling start to the game turned sour.
Rodgers said: “He was an outstanding young keeper, he was highly rated there but like all young keepers he needed to get out and play.
“As you saw in the first half, young Ryan makes saves. He was unfortunate
though – he might get a bit of stick for the second but the first one was difficult, coming through so many bodies and seeing it late.
“He was maybe even unlucky with the second 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.”
Former Scotland Under21 cap Fulton found plenty of support in his own dressing room as well.
Skipper Dougie Imrie said: “He’s a fantastic keeper and we’ll rally round him.
“He was magic in the game, pulling off some great saves, then the one from Callum McGregor just before half-time takes a couple of ricochets and bobbles all over the place before going in.
“It’s disappointing for Ryan but he knows himself. We have to pick him up after what has been a tough week for him.”
With Dundee losing to Motherwell, Accies are still in 10th spot, despite a run of just one point from 24.
But Imrie said: “We’re disappointed because we felt we were in the game for the vast majority of it.” Meanwhile, Rodgers remained coy on the prospect of Celtic adding to their squad before the deadline on Thursday.
He said: “We know where we want to improve - whether we can or not, we’ll have to wait and see.
“The plan would be to do something but if we don’t, okay. That’s where we’re at.”