CELTIC winger James Forrest says that his match-winning goal against Hamilton was the perfect tonic after a disappointing week away with Scotland.

Forrest scored his seventh goal of the season to put Accies to the sword, and he was pleased to get the losses to Russia and Belgium out of his system.

“I had to lift myself after the Scotland games," Forrest said. "When you're playing for a big club as well as your country, there will always be disappointments.

“So it's important to come back off international duty and forget about it. We all came together and put on a good display to win.

"I was delighted to get the early goal which was really important for us. We started the game well.

“The goal settled us down and, although we didn't get another one, it was a good performance.

“When you come here, Hamilton always make it hard. Even at 1-0 down, they played the same way and made it difficult for us.

“Of course, we wanted to score more goals but that's a vital three points for us."

“I thought I had scored again in the second half. I struck it well but it was a good save from the goalie before it hit the bar.

“I feel fresh and it's been a really good start for us. The Cluj game at home has been the only negative so far.

“We're creating chances and scoring goals so we're looking forward to Thursday."

Forrest refused to place all of the blame for Celtic's failure to add to their tally on the sticky plastic pitch at Hamilton, but there was no hiding his disdain for the surface.

“If you ask any player, they'd rather not play on that pitch," he said. "But there's a few teams in the league have one now.

“The circumstances are different coming here, being on a pitch like that provides a different obstacle.

“So it's difficult, that's why it was so important to get the win."