Mowbray satisfied as Celtic end home win drought

AFP - 31 October 2009 18:15

Celtic ended a run of four matches without a win at Celtic Park as they coasted to a 3-0 win over Kilmarnock to increase their lead at the top of the Scottish Premier League. Substitute Niall McGinn scored late on to add to first-half goals from Aiden McGeady, pictured in March 2009, and Georgios Samaras as the Hoops ended their home hoodoo.

GLASGOW (AFP) - Tony Mowbray says he is happy with his side's progress as his Celtic side brought to an end a four match run without a win at Parkhead with a 3-0 victory over Kilmarnock.

The Celtic manager had been under pressure going into the game having led his side to just two wins out of nine games at Celtic Park this season, a run which had seen his side defeated in three European ties and knocked out of the League Cup by Hearts.

His misfiring players also came in for criticism after they had failed to find the back of the net in their previous three home appearances.

But a ferocious start from Celtic saw Aiden McGeady bring the home hoodoo to an end before goals from Georgios Samaras and substitute Niall McGinn - his first for the club - capped a comprehensive victory.

Despite criticisms of their form the win over Kilmarnock leaves Celtic three points clear at the top of the Scottish Premier League, although Rangers could reduce that to a point if they defeat Dundee United on Sunday.

And with the first round of SPL matches nearly completed Mowbray declared himself satisfied with how his side are performing, with their only league defeat coming at the hands of Old Firm rivals Rangers at Ibrox.

"I let other people decide how well or badly we are doing and don't get too upset about it one way or the other," Mowbray said.

"We are doing okay. We have had ten games, we have won seven, drawn two and lost one.

"We want to win every game so we are disappointed in the draws of course against Motherwell and Dundee United.

"I think both of the games came on the back of international breaks where we have had 15 players away and half a day preparation. Maybe the edge was quite there for the team which is why ultimately we didn't get the three points from these games.

"The Ibrox game looks after itself. It was a game we lost so we are hugely disappointed but I think we showed enough that day that we can more than give a good account of ourselves against a team who I would think will be our main challengers this year."

Celtic travel to Germany this week to take on Bundesliga leaders Hamburg in a vital Europa League match, having picked up just one point from three games so far.

And Mowbray says he saw enough from his side in their 1-0 defeat to Hamburg at Parkhead in October to know his side won't be outclassed by the Germans.

"We always have a great belief that we can play and create chances and score goals," Mowbray said.

"Hamburg is a different game and a different set-up. We are away in Europe to one of the top teams in the German Bundesliga.

"It is a big game and a big ask to go there and get a result so we will be set-up differently.

"We will go there taking the confidence out of playing and watching the first game knowing that they won't outclass us.

"But it will be a tough game and if we can frustrate them and stay in the game and get opportunities hopefully they will go in."

In the match against Kilmarnock Irish international McGeady was booked for simulation after he went down in the box following a challenge from Jamie Fowler.

The winger was sent off in a match against Hibernian for a similar offence, while Shaun Maloney and Mark Wilson also got yellows for diving in the Old Firm derby against Rangers.

And a disgruntled Mowbray said referees had to exercise more common sense in their decisions.

"Every time someone goes down in the box it can't be either a penalty or a booking. There has got to be a bit of common sense," said Mowbray.

"It's unfair on Aiden I think as there was some body contact.

"The referee has to make these decisions of whether they are penalty kicks or not. Today he didn't think it was, which no-one is complaining about, but I don't think it was a booking either.

"He made the decision but I think it might have been better for him to have made the decision and get on with the game.

The Celtic manager was backed by his Kilmarnock counterpart Jim Jefferies.

"I don't think it was a blatant dive," Jefferies said.

"Tony is right that there doesn't always have to be a booking and I think it was a little bit harsh."