Anxious Celtic claim win

TONY MOWBRAY admits his Celtic side often have to overcome their own anxiety as much as the opposition at Parkhead.

Saturday's 1-0 win over Dundee United was well deserved but due to yet more profligacy in front of goal, it was a nervy ending before Hoops fans could celebrate seeing Robbie Keane's first home goal for the club.

Mowbray said: "The team didn't win the league last year and there is an anxiety in the stadium but the players have to deal with that. We have found on several occasions this year that once you score the second goal, the anxiety disappears, the crowd enjoy the event and everything loosens off."

Elsewhere, Kevin Kyle launched a scathing attack on the standard of SPL refereeing and suggested Alan Muir's performance in Kilmarnock's 1-1 draw with St Mirren made the game virtually a non-contact sport.

The Killie striker said: "The referee stopped it for everything. It was almost as if the referee was blowing up for a foul before the ball even got to the player it was aimed at.

"Chris Maguire put the home side ahead just after the half-hour mark but St Mirren's persistence was rewarded when Billy Mehmet volleyed home with eight minutes remaining.

Meanwhile, St Johnstone have apologised to fans after their match against Rangers at McDiarmid Park was called off an hour before kick-off, with one of the 18-yard boxes considered unsafe.