Crossword Genius

Point to politician before matches finding bottles containing nothing (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

empties

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'bottles containing nothing' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'point to politician before matches' is the wordplay.
'point' becomes 'E' (compass point).
'to politician' becomes 'MP' (Member of Parliament).
'before' says to put letters next to each other.
'matches' becomes 'ties' (tie can mean a sporting fixture).
'e'+'mp'+'ties'='EMPTIES'

'finding' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for empties that I've seen before include "they've nothing to offer" , "drains" , "Spite me with drained bottles" , "Bottles whose contents have been consumed" , "Vacates" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
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