Celtic boss Neil Lennon seeks defensive improvements

Neil Lennon was happy with his side's comeback against Accies

Celtic manager Neil Lennon was happy with victory over Hamilton Accies despite a sluggish start.

Lennon's side fell behind to Mark McLaughlin's early goal as Accies dominated the opening 20 minutes.

"We've conceded from a set-piece and we've gone to sleep, not doing our jobs properly," Lennon told BBC Scotland.

"And we had to rely on our goalkeeper to make some really good saves. We were slack defensively, but I got the response I was looking for."

Hamilton, after McLaughlin's goal, threatened through Nigel Hasselbaink, Simon Mensing and Dougie Imrie.

"It's always a concern when you're slack and go to sleep at set-pieces and don't do your jobs properly," said Lennon.

"After 20 minutes we got a grip of the game and in the second half we were fine, but we can't start games like that.

"You can't just walk out onto the pitch and switch a light on, you have to prepare yourselves properly.

"We keep trying to drum it into them but, unfortunately at the minute, they don't seem to be taking it on board."

Lennon believed his side's winning margin could have been greater once they had addressed their defensive problems.

"Once we got a grip of the game our attacking play was okay," he added.

"We created a lot of chances in the second half and really should've won the game by more goals.

"Although, I'm sure Billy Reid will say they could have been two or three up within 20 minutes."