When Martin Canning raised his arms aloft almost a year ago to the day as Hamilton triumphed over Celtic, there is little chance he could have foreseen the events that have passed since.

Having taken charge of the club following Alex Neil’s departure, Canning endured a horrendous start to his managerial career before steadying the ship towards the end of the season.

After being written off by all and sundry as relegation fodder during pre-season, he is now making a mockery of those predictions as Hamilton sit comfortably in the top half of the Premiership.

As he gears up to face Celtic again at New Douglas Park on Sunday, he says that he is grateful for the patience of Hamilton’s board, and believes that confidence is now so high within his squad of players that a repeat of that famous shock last October might just be on the cards.

He admitted: “It's been a journey since then.

“There was obviously a big transition period after Alex moved on. Results didn't go as well as I'd hoped initially and it was a bit up and down.

“Thankfully we are now on an up and we have started the season well again.

“I didn't have much experience when I took over and we lost a couple of players, but I'm mentally strong and I think you need to be given what I went through.

“It was a difficult run but in my head I knew there was a potential for that to happen. It is in the past now.

“I'm fortunate to have the backing of a good board. It was a big decision for them to give me the job in the first place.

“They backed me well and during that period they were nothing but supportive. They have been the same ever since.

“Whatever happens, our season won't be defined by results against Celtic.

“Hopefully, if we relax, go and enjoy it then we can get a good result.

“Beating Motherwell and Kilmarnock in our previous two games sets us up nicely.

“We need to go out and do our own job first.

“We need to play to our potential and hope Celtic don't.

“They are the top team in the league, but if they have an off day you never know.”

Celtic have lost high-profile goals to set-pieces this season, and it’s a weakness that hasn’t escaped the attention of Canning.

“It's something we look at every week.

“I spend hours the night before games looking over set-pieces and free-kicks and anything we can try and do.

“It is something I will do again and if I can see something we can exploit we will look to go and do it.”