Players must overcome their Parkhead anxiety, insists Mowbray

CELTIC manager Tony Mowbray believes his side often have to overcome their own anxiety as much as the opposition at Parkhead.

Saturday's 1-0 win over Dundee United courtesy of Robbie Keane's first home goal was deserved but yet more profligacy in front of goal made for a nervy ending before the home fans could celebrate.

However, asked about the anxiousness which envelopes Celtic Park at times, Mowbray said: "There is an anxiety in the stadium but the players have to deal with that. Once you score the second goal, the anxiety disappears, the crowd enjoy the event and everything loosens off.

"We didn't manage to get that second goal against United and so the anxiety remained. But at the end of the day we won the match and got the points."

Keane, who stoked the fires ahead of next Sunday's trip to Ibrox by claiming the pressure was now on Rangers – whose game at St Johnstone was frozen off – agreed that tension always plays a part when chances go begging.

"Sometimes that happens in games," he said. "At 1-0, you are always liable to give the other team a chance but, all in all, we dominated the game and didn't look like losing it. But it is important in these kinds of situations to get the second goal. I have been lucky enough to play at big clubs before and the pressure comes with that.

"You are playing for a club that demands success and, as players, it is up to us to deliver it. We are well aware that people expect us to win these kind of games but sometimes they are not as easy as people think."

Keane took his tally to three in five appearances and the Republic of Ireland striker, named man of the match against United, believes he and his Celtic team-mates are starting to hit top form.

"It is starting to gel together," he said. "People are getting to know each other's games. I said when I first came that it would take me three or four games to get in to the swing of things and I feel I am starting to do that."

The only consolation United manager Peter Houston could take from a lacklustre display was the fact Hibs failed to stretch their lead in third place by losing 1-0 at Motherwell.

Houston said: "Motherwell are on a fantastic run just now so it brings the three teams chasing third place closer. We have two home games coming up and we will be at the players to turn Tannadice into a bit of a fortress."