McGovern: We Can Beat Celtic Again

Photo by Jeff Holmes Hamilton goalkeeper Michael McGovern believes lightning can strike twice this season as he prepares for the visit of Celtic on Saturday. The 30-year-old was part of the Accies side which made history at Parkhead in October with their first win over the home side in 76 years, courtesy of an Ali Crawford goal which also took the visitors top of the Scottish Premiership. A 3-2 home defeat by Dundee United on Monday night, days after Alex Neil departed for Norwich City to be replaced by player/interim boss Martin Canning, left the Lanarkshire side in fifth place. However, another victory over Celtic would take Hamilton level on points with Ronny Deila's side and McGovern believes that scenario should not be discounted. "There is every chance," said the Northern Irishman, who joined the club last summer from Falkirk. "We have got good players but obviously with Celtic having such a strong squad it is going to be very difficult. "But if we perform to our maximum I am sure we will give them a game and with a bit of luck we can definitely get the result. "I remember the goal going in at Parkhead and remember they had a lot of chances to be fair, and the celebration afterwards were good. "There is no doubt we can do it again but, as I said, it is going to be very difficult. "Celtic will be right up for the game, they need to get the points but we are not going to make it easy for them. "It has been a fantastic season and obviously no one would have thought that at this stage of the season, if we beat Celtic we go level on points with them. "It is testament to how well the players and management staff have done this season. "But it is not over yet, we want to continue to improve and win as many games as possible and finish as high up the league as possible. "Martin has tried to keeping things similar to the way it was when Alex was here and it has been working. If it's not broken, don't fix it." McGovern spoke of the honour of replacing Canning as Accies captain for the United game but insists there are plenty of leaders in the Hamilton dressing room. "I was captain at Falkirk last season but that was the first time here," he said. "I was a little surprised when Martin asked me but was really honoured. It was a pity we couldn't get the win but hopefully we will get it on Saturday. "But I don't know if the captaincy makes too much of a difference, we have a lot of leaders on the pitch. "Just because you wear an armband it doesn't mean you are more of a leader than anyone else. "We have a strong dressing room, there are a few candidates who could be captain."