Brendan Rodgers blames Hamilton Academical 3G pitch for lacklustre Celtic display

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers has blamed Hamilton Academical's synthetic pitch for his side's poor showing in Sunday's 2-1 win at New Douglas Park.

The Scottish Premiership leaders enjoyed the lion's share of possession but laboured against Martin Canning's relegation-threatened side.

Accies also had to play more than half the game with 10 men following Darren Lyon's first-half red card.

Rodgers, whose side got all three points via goals from Callum McGregor and Leigh Griffiths, pointed the finger at the 3G pitch with regards to his side's stuttering display.

"It was important to win today and we're nearly there in the league now," the Northern Irishman told Sky Sports News. "I always say on the AstroTurf pitches it's very, very difficult to get fast flowing football."

Celtic's next match is a trip to Hampden Park to take on Old Firm rivals Rangers in the Scottish Cup semi-final as they chase a second consecutive domestic treble under Rodgers.