PROUD Scot (@chrisgraham79) pinpoints his best bet from the weekend Scottish action.
Hamilton v Celtic | Saturday 24th November 2018, 12:30
Club football returns to Scotland this weekend after a triumphant international break for the national side. Was good wasn't it? But, hey, let's keep things in perspective, we finished top of a group featuring Albania and Israel. Spare me the hyperbole. We pat ourselves on the back and move onto the qualifiers. No fuss please.
The pulsing soul of that international side feature in my best bet this weekend in the homeland as I'm siding with Celtic as they travel to Hamilton on Saturday lunchtime.
What an absolute joy watching James Forrest, Ryan Christie and Callum McGregor play pivotal roles in Scotland's resurgence over the international break. While Forrest (rightly) got all the headlines, I was tremendously spirited to see Christie capitalise on his recent club form by thriving in the national jersey. There's something so thrilling (as I approach 40) of seeing young, fresh Scots tearing it up in the dark blue with pure fearlessness. Keep it up Ryan!
It's always tricky piling into sides after an international break but I think that's more preferable than after a tough midweek European tie. Celtic slammed four past Hibs after the last pause after all.
Nations League confidence
I expect Brendan Rodgers' side to be in great shape on Saturday after the Nations League endeavours of his players and this looks like a mis-match. Surely the Scottish lads will be pumped to the guts full of confidence?
Take out that post-Europa League 0-0 draw against awkward Livingston and you have to say that Celtic are well and truly back in top gear after a struggling start to the season. The 6-0 Forrest-inspired win over St Johnstone in early-October was followed by an impressive 4-2 victory over Hibs before they pummelled Dundee and Hearts 5-0. It's 16 points out of 18 for Celtic.
Hamilton lie down in 10th with nine defeats out of 13 for the club. It's been an uninspiring struggle for Martin Canning's men. Only Dundee have conceded more goals and they've lost by three or more goals in four of their last six matches.
It's fair to say they perform better at home but Hearts and Rangers have both put four past them at New Douglas Park this season. Against this confident Celtic side they're going to struggle.
My play here is to focus on Celtic and back them at Evens to score Over 2.5 Goals on Saturday lunchtime. After such a positive week for a decent proportion of the squad I expect them to trap well in South Lanarkshire.
Best Bets
Hamilton v Celtic – Celtic to score Over 2.5 Goals (Evens 188BET)
