Paddy McCourt and Celtic keen to come out of cold storage

Severe weather conditions means Celtic have been denied match action for almost three weeks, and on their last outing they were held to a 2-2 draw by Inverness after squandering a two-goal lead at Celtic Park.

Neil Lennon's men were also forced to settle for a point in their previous outing against Dundee United and are keen to return to winning ways in tomorrow's lunchtime kick-off at New Douglas Park.

Rangers' game against St Mirren has been postponed due to significant water damage at Ibrox, meaning Celtic have the chance to move level with their Old Firm rivals at the top of the SPL if they take all three points from Accies.

"Everybody's looking forward to the game," said McCourt, who celebrated his 27th birthday yesterday. "It'll be three weeks on Saturday since we've had a game and the last game we played ended on a sour note, throwing away a two-goal lead, so we're all desperate to get back out there. Hamilton's a hard place to go and win and I haven't seen us go there and win easily at all."

McCourt has been troubled by injuries since joining Celtic but insists he is now in the best shape of his career.

He said: "I'm feeling great at the moment. I'm as fit as I've ever been in my career and I'm really enjoying my football. I'm just hoping to cement my place in the team and help them push on. Heading into the new year it's a really important time for us and we want to get on a winning run again."

The Irishman handed Lennon another reminder of what he is capable of by netting a wonder goal against Inverness. But McCourt says the effort now counts for nothing as far he is concerned after Celtic failed to secure the victory.

He said: "I did enjoy scoring it at the time but, because we threw away a good position, it doesn't mean anything to me."

Meanwhile, Celtic have issued a safety appeal following a number of incidents of supporters standing throughout matches at Celtic Park and are insisting that all fans sit down during games.

A club spokesperson said: "Celtic Park is designed specifically as an all-seater stadium and the safety certificate for operating has been approved and issued on this basis.

"Persistent standing is a real safety risk and could ultimately result in the safety certificate, which is required to open the stadium, being revoked.

"It is vital that this matter is taken very seriously and that supporters, for their own safety and the safety of others, sit down during matches."