Fortune still first choice says Celtic boss Tony Mowbray

Published on Tuesday 9 February 2010 15:00

MARC-ANTOINE FORTUNE remains Tony Mowbray's preferred striking choice despite the forward not featuring in Celtic's Scottish Cup victory over Dunfermline.

• Marc-Antoine Fortune

The 28-year-old was left out of his side's 4 - 2 win at East End Park on Sunday which saw new signings Robbie Keane, Morten Rasmussen and Diomansy Kamara all get on the score-sheet.

Fortune has come under fire after finding the net only 8 times in 23 appearances this season since his 3.8 million move from French side Nancy.

However Celtic manager Tony Mowbray today said that he was pleased with Fortune's form and that the player had simply been rested from the side.

"Marc is at the front of the queue as far as I'm concerned," Mowbray said. "His performances over the last six weeks have been outstanding.

"Everybody prejudged him on his role but I always judged him over performance over 90 minutes, week in, week out.

"In my mind he is right up there with every other striker we have at the football club.

"He has played a lot of football, as has Aiden McGeady.

"Both have had a lot of minutes on the football pitch and sometimes you want to change it about and freshen it up and so you utilise options if you've got them.

"I need to decide what the best formation is and who are the best individuals to play each game."