Mowbray blames tiredness for 'poorest performance of season'

Published on Sunday 8 November 2009 21:33

TONY Mowbray's concerns, which seemed to have receded following two improved displays against SV Hamburg and Kilmarnock, piled up again yesterday as his side conceded three goals for the second time in his tenure.

Arsenal were the first team to inflict such an indignity on Mowbray's side. Perhaps more alarmingly, Falkirk have emulated the English Premier League club's feat. After yesterday's 3-3 draw at the Falkirk stadium, Celtic stand just two points ahead of Rangers at the top of the league. The Ibrox club, however, have a game in hand.

The fact Celtic conceded three times in a single half against the lowest scorers in the Scottish Premier League made it all the more worrying, and highlighted why the next transfer window cannot come quickly enough for Mowbray. The Celtic manager has another reason for welcoming the second half of the season. It is unlikely his team will be involved in European competition after Christmas, something which may aid Celtic's title bid. Here was another example of the team's sluggishness when returning to league duty following a midweek European fixture.

"It was a tired performance from us, and probably as poor as we have been this season," acknowledged Mowbray. "Yet we have to take the positives. The team rallied themselves from a losing position and showed great endeavour to get back into a winning position. But obviously we are disappointed to drop points again." Mowbray refused to point the finger at the defence despite the fact only Motherwell in the top six have conceded as many goals as Celtic.

"The same defence kept a clean sheet away in Germany," he pointed out, with reference to the midweek draw against SV Hamburg in the Europa League. This is not strictly true, since centre-half Glenn Loovens was replaced at half-time yesterday by Stephen McManus, and when the score was 0-0. McManus had remained on the bench in Hamburg.

But there was one bright spot for Mowbray, who watched Scott McDonald score twice when sent on in the second-half. The striker has been in poor form of late, and was omitted from the Australia international squad last week. He was named among the substitutes yesterday, with Marc-Antoine Fortune preferred in attack. "There is competition for places," said Mowbray. "From my perspective, you would like to be in a position where you can't leave Scott on the bench because he is scoring every single week. He's had a few weeks where he has missed a few chances; hopefully these goals today can help his confidence."

Amid fears that Celtic fans might disrupt the minute's silence yesterday, Falkirk carried through with their intention to honour the war dead on Remembrance Sunday in the traditional way. Celtic's request for a minute's applause was turned down by the hosts.

The silence was impeccably observed by those within the ground, although around half of the 2,861 away supporters had still to enter the stadium. Only their shouts and songs could be heard.