Drop any more points and it's all over, says Lisbon Lion Gemmell

The pressure is yet again on manager Tony Mowbray after his side lost the lead three times in a remarkable 4-4 draw against Aberdeen at Pittodrie on Saturday. The initiative swung back to Rangers, who beat Hibs 3-0 at Ibrox yesterday to restore their ten-point lead over their Old Firm rivals at the top of the table with 13 games of the season remaining.

Gemmell who played left-back for the Celtic side which won the European Cup in 1967, says there is now no margin for error at Parkhead. "Celtic have put themselves in the position where they cannot drop any more points," he said.

"Every game is vital but they are starting to run out of them. They have to play Rangers twice and at the same time hope to win all their other games, but that is a big ask.

"The big disappointment for Celtic fans is that they are losing too many goals that could be prevented. That is not a sign of a championship-winning team.

"You've got to start with keeping the back door shut, build from the middle and then pop the goals in at the other end.

"If you look at any teams in any country who are looking to win their league, their goals-against record is usually excellent.

"If you don't lose goals then it is easier to win games. But Celtic know the situation they are in now."

Mowbray will be without defender Darren O'Dea for next weekend's game against Dundee United at Parkhead after the Irishman was sent off against Aberdeen. With Glenn Loovens and Jos Hooiveld injured, 18-year-old Josh Thompson could be paired with 19-year-old Thomas Rogne at the heart of the defence. After the match on Saturday Mowbray said: "I won't make excuses but we had a few defensive problems with injuries to key players. I'd like to think if we had more options we wouldn't have conceded the goals we did, but we did and we move on. We are functioning in one part of the pitch but not another so let's hope Hooiveld, Loovens and Hinkel are back pretty quickly."

Gemmell believes the Parkhead men will simply have to cope with the adversity. He said: "It shouldn't be a worry for Tony Mowbray, he brought both players in and so he must have confidence in them.

"You will get injuries, suspensions and loss of form and you have to face up to it. All teams have the same problems in the run-in."