Shots earn valuable point

Celtic boss Neil Lennon reckons his team looked sharp after their winter break as they comfortably beat Hearts 4-1.

On a poignant day for the club, Lennon believes the performance was a fitting tribute to fellow Irishman and Celtic legend Sean Fallon who died on Friday.

The Hoops manager said: "I think the players wanted to give Sean a good send off and I think he would have been happy with that as well.

"That's probably the best we have played at home. We challenged them today and the players did everything we asked of them."

Georgios Samaras and Lassad Nouioui were among the goals, but Gary Hooper will again be in the spotlight as he grabbed a brace.

And Lennon remains confident the striker will sign a new deal with Celtic as discussion on a contract extension continue.

Lennon added: "That was Gary at his best. I thought he was brilliant. He got his two goals today but I thought his all-round game was top class.

"We had a chat last night and wanted to make our position clear to him and he was quite happy with that."

The visitors were the first side to register an attempt on goal in a quiet opening with Kieron Cadogan's tame strike proving comfortable for Michael Ingham.

The Minstermen had threatened very little in the first half until Michael Potts brought a save out of Jamie Young on the cusp of half time. The midfielder collected Matty Blair's header before seeing his dipping volley tipped wide by the Shots goalkeeper.

With time running out, Aldershot had Young to thank as he produced a smart save down to his left from Potts. A positive run down the left by Blair started the move before he once again teamed up with his fellow midfielder who brought the best out of Young.

Aldershot top scorer Craig Reid then had the chance to win all the points for his side late on but he could only blaze over the bar after substitute Michael Rankine set him up.