Another blow for Mowbray as Hamburg expose Celtic failings

Published on Friday 23 October 2009 00:50

STRATHCLYDE Police succeeded where Celtic failed when thwarting SV Hamburg at the end of a night which again exposed Celtic's failings in front of goal.

The German players were prevented from celebrating with their 1,500 fans, tightly packed in the away end at Celtic Park. Both stewards and police, alert to the tense scenes that had already unfolded outside Celtic Park prior to kick-off in this Europa League tie, formed a human barrier between the players and visiting support.

Celtic had already been faced by an unbreachable German defence, though it was their own meagre efforts in front of goal which leaves them marooned at the bottom of Group C.

Hapoel Tel Aviv's 5-1 victory over Rapid Vienna in the section's other fixture was a reminder of the objective in football – score goals. Celtic fell short in this department again last night and manager Tony Mowbray rued what was plain for all to see – his side's lack of quality. He gave them "10 out of 10" for effort, but hard work could not disguise the absence of a killer touch as Celtic fell to a third home defeat in four European matches this season.

Mowbray's words again anticipated a busy next transfer window for Celtic, with strikers now as much a priority as defenders. This was Celtic's second successive home match without a goal.

"I have never questioned their effort," said Mowbray. "But I question the lack of quality, as I did against Motherwell on Saturday."

There was unease once more among the fans as they left the ground following another poor display from Celtic. Many left long before the final whistle after correctly predicting that their team could not retrieve the situation, with Marcus Berg having given Hamburg the lead after 63 minutes.

• Match report: Clinical Berg makes Celtic pay for missed opportunities

• In pictures: Celtic 0 - 1 Hamburg

"The players have to prove to the fans that they can stay at this club," said Mowbray. "You get judged by results, particularly in this city. No- one seems bothered by performances – it's all about results."

Whether Celtic progress to the knock-out stage will depend completely on results, and not now just their own. "We'll probably have to win all three matches," said Mowbray. "But we will give it a go."

On the game's eve Mowbray had made a point of mentioning the different environment in which Hamburg operate, with their third-choice striker having cost the club 12 million. The gulf in class was apparent last night, just as it was on Tuesday when Rangers went down 4-1 at home to Unirea Urziceni in the Champions League.

"I saw the quality of our footballers and the quality of their footballers," he said. "It's no secret."

He vowed to continue his re-shaping of the side, and provide the fans with more than just endeavour on the pitch.

"I need to put it together bit by bit," he added. "I will try and find players of the right quality to lift the team and give us a chance of competing at this level.

"I think the Celtic fans should be happy at the levels of endeavour, desire and commitment. But those things are stick-ons. They should always be demanded.

"The fans see the mis-passes the same as I see them. But they will still back the club because they are Celtic supporters. The players are an honest group. I have just left the dressing-room and they are being harsh on themselves."

Hamburg manager Bruno Labadia criticised the authorities for preventing him and his players from saluting their fans at the end.

"I would have liked the situation to be different," he said. "We had 1,500 fans with us and we were told we were not allowed to celebrate with them. We were told we would be reported to Fifa. I think that was disrespectful. It lacked feeling."