Stephen McManus has revealed that a clear-the-air meeting with Tony Mowbray preceded the 2-1 win over Hamilton Accies that returned Celtic to the top of the SPL.

Mowbray's after-match comments yesterday were noticeably brief and omitted the heavy criticism that has marked recent quotes which haven't gone down well in the dressing room.

Constant comments about the lack of quality and need to bring in new faces has put a strain on the relationship between Mowbray and his players. McManus made it known that grievances had been aired.

The Celtic skipper said: "We had a meeting and that will stay between the lads in the dressing room and the coaching staff and that's important. That's the best way to do things.

"Over the course of a season you have chats as a group on ways to improve and that's what happened.

"We all try to do the best that we possibly can, people can get wrapped up in other things if they have never been in this position. You look for things that you hope will happen.

"Communication is a big factor in any line of work. The one thing that we're looking to do as players and with the coaching staff is to drive the club forward.

"It's not great watching the Champions League on television when you wish that you were in it. As a club that's the place that we want to be and that's where Celtic deserve to be.

"The players back the manager and coaching staff 100pc, when you play at Celtic there are a lot of knives out to get you, it's important that everyone at the club rallies together."

Yesterday's win at Hamilton was far from vintage football but after four games without a win the points took Celtic back to the top of the SPL table.

Two goals in 15 minutes from Shaun Maloney and Scott McDonald should have made life easy for Celtic but they failed to add to that advantage then had to hold out against the home side in the closing stages after Mickael Antoine-Curier scored in the 84th minute.

By that stage Mowbray had already substituted Aiden McGeady and the two goalscorers, leaving Celtic lightweight in attack as they attempted to play the game out.

Lucasz Zaluska, standing in for the injured Artur Boruc, pulled off a great save when confronted by James McArthur one-on-one to give Celtic the points with Mowbray keeping his after-match thoughts short and sweet.

The Celtic boss said: "Nobody wins or loses league titles in October, it's just another three points. I was happy with the endeavour, commitment and desire.

"The players were under a little bit more pressure than normal, but we're now top of the table and they showed some good qualities."

- Joe McHugh