Pressure remains high despite Celtic being written off for title, claims Mowbray

Most Celtic supporters have given up on the title race but the Parkhead manager is adamant that, although expectations are fading, there is not any less pressure on his players.

"If anything, there was more pressure on the team to get a result because, again, not all of you, but the way some of the Scottish media work, they like piling it on," he said. "So we have to keep going and keep winning matches, that's what we do. There is no lack of motivation. There is no greater motivation than every time you pull on a Hoops' shirt. You should be 100 per cent focused on trying to win because the supporters of the club come to support our team home and away and they deserve a performance. I thought they got a very professional performance today."

Robbie Keane gave some indication of why Celtic agreed to pay him 65,000 per week during his loan spell from Tottenham with two fine finishes. The on-loan Tottenham striker played for the Republic of Ireland against Brazil at the Emirates Stadium in midweek, and Mowbray said: "I was half tempted to put him on the bench today after midweek but I started him and he got his goals.

"He showed against Brazil the talented boy he is and he showed it again today, taking the two opportunities which came along.

"He's scored a few goals for us now. That's what he does. That's why he is here, to stick the chances away when they come along and he did that today. Hopefully we can keep him fit."

Mowbray has given no thought to the possibility of making Keane's loan deal permanent at the end of the season.

"Extending his deal is not something that has crossed my mind," said the former Hibs and West Bromwich Albion manager. "We will wait and see. I don't know what Robbie's thoughts are with regards his football career. He is still a young guy, he is contracted to Tottenham and I don't know what he's been thinking about his future.

"But he is here until the end of the season and hopefully he has a few more days like today where he makes a difference."

Mowbray's Falkirk counterpart, Steven Pressley, said: "I thought we controlled the game for long periods and I'm devastated for the players. I thought they gave so much to the game.

"We had a number of opportunities over the course of the 90 minutes and created by far the better chances.

Celtic had expressed concern at the condition of Falkirk's pitch prior to the game, which prompted an angry reaction by Pressley. However, he said: "The pitch was an issue for part of game but our level of football was brilliant today. Our football at times was scintillating, we did all the things that were asked of us.

"The second goal was avoidable and disappointing but the performance was excellent and I've no complaints in terms of the players' effort."

Pressley still believes his side can beat relegation, despite Falkirk being three points adrift of Hamilton and St Mirren at the bottom of the table.

He added: "My belief is we'll stay in this division. We still have 10 games to go. We've got St Johnstone here next week and winning that game becomes our focus."