Beattie hopes for regular Hessel-link up

Celtic forward Craig Beattie is desperate to become Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink’s long-term strike partner at Parkhead.

Due to injuries and lack of form among his strikers, Hoops manager Gordon Strachan has had to mix and match his attack all season and for the Bank of Scotland Premier League clash with St Mirren on Saturday, the 23-year-old was handed a rare starting berth alongside the Dutchman.

In a 5-1 thrashing of the visitors, the Holland international scored a hat-trick with Beattie setting up two goals.

With Kenny Miller and Maciej Zurawski out of form at the moment, Beattie lobbied hard for a regular starting place.

He said: “There’s nothing settled up front at the minute, and it seems pretty open.

“Big Jan has been doing really well when he’s been fit, but I hope I can get a run in the team and cement a place for myself.

“Jan is brilliant. You must see that yourself.

“His play his terrific with the ball at his feet or in the air.

“He is very strong and good at bringing other people into the play. He flicked a few balls on against St Mirren and I was unlucky not to get onto some of them, so I hope we can forge a good partnership.

“I don’t suppose any defence would enjoy playing against us because it would be quite powerful. Jan is strong in the air and I’ve got a bit of pace to get in behind.

“Jan is scoring plenty of goals, but I feel I can chip in with more than my fair share.

“After all, I am playing beside players such as Shunsuke Nakamura and Aiden McGeady, whose vision and passing is incredible.”

St Mirren defender Kirk Broadfoot, however, accused Nakamura of diving to win the home side their second-half penalty.

Two minutes after the break, Saints midfielder Stephen McGinn equalised Vennegoor of Hesselink's first-half opener but the visitors’ hopes of taking at least a point were dashed on the hour mark when the Japanese midfielder buckled in the area under a Simon Lappin challenge.

Referee Craig Thomson awarded a spot-kick which Vennegoor of Hesselink converted and the home side eventually ran out easy victors.

Broadfoot said: “I thought the penalty was harsh, but you get that kind of thing at places like Parkhead.

“We could have let Nakamura keep running, but he’s cute and clever enough to take the dive.

“Nakamura can do things that make the difference. We can’t buy guys capable of turning a game on its head like that.

“We are a hardworking unit that sets out to frustrate teams.

“Being honest, getting anything from a trip to Parkhead is a bonus.

“It is the teams round about us in the league that we have to concentrate on taking points from, but it is still disappointing to lose five goals.

“The boys are gutted with the way it worked out.”