STATEMENTS whose veracity may be questioned: the dog ate my homework, the cheque is in the post and Celtic will win the league in a canter.

 

Events at both New Douglas Park and Pittodrie at the weekend strengthened Celtic's claims to a fourth consecutive title but these are not as yet irresistible.

There are still questions over Celtic in terms of style and substance. Ronny Deila celebrated in what has not become his customary manner by punching the air to roars from the visiting support but he has still cause for sober reflection.

There was a lack of cohesion about Celtic for most of this match and a lack of creation in forward areas.

The dog may have eaten the homework but Deila still has his project. It can be rewarded with an A for effort but it has yet to be fully convincing.

The blunt truth about Saturday's performance is that the best Celtic players comprised the back four and the goalkeeper. Craig Gordon made two excellent saves in an otherwise quiet but blemish-free afternoon, Jason Denayer and Virgil van Dijk were commanding in central defence, and Adam Matthews and Emilio Izaguirre vied for the man of the match award.

The Welshman scored a spectacular goal and the Honduran supplied Liam Henderson with a pass that the young Scot converted smartly. More important, the full-backs were almost exclusively the only attacking outlet for Celtic.

Part of this was down to Hamilton packing central areas, forcing their opponents wide. But Celtic also suffered from a dearth of creativity in midfield and attack.

In what was seen as a farewell gesture, Kris Commons threw his boots into the crowd. When they were on his feet, they were part of a Commons ensemble that provided occasional glimpses of enterprise, most notably in the simple but slick pass that allowed Matthews to score the crucial first goal.

Celtic, otherwise, were bereft of inspiration. Scott Brown was typically combative in front of the back four and Nir Biton was neat but no more. Stefan Johansen is wasted in his present position that but sees him playing regularly with his back to goal. Henderson is talented but is not a wide man. Leigh Griffiths is willing and dangerous but needed support on Saturday.

The most successful aspect of the positioning of Commons was that the Scottish internationalist came inside, allowing Matthews room to maraud down the right flank.

Celtic desperately need the Deila system to gel quickly. Its success would be assured if quick, incisive wingers were employed. Derk Boerritger and James Forrest, though, are routinely injured, Wakiso Mubarak is largely untried but seemingly distrusted, and Aleksandar Tonev is suspended.

It is thus obvious why Gary Mackay-Steven is being recruited from Dundee United. Given the doubts over the availability of other contenders for the wide positions, Mackay-Stevens could be profitably employed by the champions long before the summer break. There is a price to be paid for that right in the form of transfer fee to United. It may be a wise investment, however.

Celtic are stronger than their detractors insist but weaker than they have to be to make the title race a formality. The return of Denayer from injury allowed Van Dijk to look like the senior secondary boy playing with the primary team. Strong, quick and technically accomplished, he still has his flaws in terms of concentration and positioning but he is undoubtedly a player worth a chance in the Barclays Premier League.

But his mate Denayer was quick to point out that the demands are more pressing in England's top division. Speaking of his future, which may yet include another season at Celtic, the Belgian pointed out that his club, Manchester City, were pleased with his progress but he accepted that they were playing at ''a higher level''.

''We now have to play every game at the maximum level,'' said Denayer, aware of the threat posed by Aberdeen.

The majority of the talk post-match was of departures. Alex Neil has left for Norwich City, leaving Accies managerless, though the club is moving quickly to fill the post, Martin Canning, the interim head coach, has yet to make up his mind whether he wants to be considered.

Mikey Devlin, the Hamilton defender, emphasised that stability had been achieved at Hamilton and the priority was to maintain it.

''We're all doing the same things and pushing in the same direction. Canzo [Canning] has continued that. Not a thing has changed since Alex went. The club wants to continue everything that's been good about us,'' he said.

For Celtic, though, the revolution has to continue and it has to be successful. Now. Deila faces a League Cup semi-final against Rangers, a Scottish Cup tie against Dundee and two matches against Inter Milan in the Europa league before next month comes to a close.

He must also maintain a winning run in the league while dealing with a Commons transfer sub-plot.

Denayer admitted that if the midfielder left ''it would be difficult for the club'' but added as a matter of form that the club had enough good players to cope with any loss

The departure of Commons would test the side, the transfer of Van Dijk would weaken it considerably.

Deila and his players have negotiated the first two challenges of the year on the field in the SPFL Premier League. But the transfer window presents difficulties as well as opportunities.

This is the month of the deal. Celtic have to play their hand carefully in negotiations to make the title victory a reality even if it may not be achieved on a canter.