Mowbray concerned about Celtic's defensive frailties

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GLASGOW, Feb 14, 2010 (AFP) - Tony Mowbray says Celtic's defensive problems are costing his side vital points in the race for the Scottish Premier League championship.

The Hoops manager watched as Aberdeen came from behind three times to snatch a point against Celtic in a thrilling 4-4 draw at Pittodrie to leave their slim title hopes in trouble.

Celtic trail leaders Rangers by seven points although Walter Smith's side could extend that to double figures if they defeat Hibernian at Ibrox on Sunday.

The Parkhead side went into the match with injury problems at the back after Glenn Loovens limped out of their midweek win to Hearts to join fellow Dutch defender Jos Hooiveld on the treatment table.

Following Gary Caldwell's departure to Wigan and Stephen McManus' loan deal at Middlesbrough it meant Celtic started the match with 18-year-old Josh Thompson and Darren O'Dea, who was playing his first game since an injury lay-off, as their centre-back partnership.

The Hoops have conceded 13 more goals than rivals Rangers in the league this season and just eight fewer than basement club Falkirk.

Mowbray added eight new players in the January transfer window although the manager admits he would have liked to have further strengthened his defensive line-up.

"It's there for everyone to see. We talked before the game of defensive problems and we didn't stand up to what came our way today," Mowbray, a former centre-half, said.

"We scored some great goals but lost poor goals to set-plays and an inexplicable penalty kick.

"We were looking for somebody to take the lead and go and be dominant and that didn't come to fruition for us. You would rather have your experienced footballers out there doing a job.

"The changes we've had to make obviously didn't help the situation. We did score some great goals today and we looked a menace going forward.

"Once we get the players back defensively you would hope that we won't concede the goals like we did today."

Celtic got off to a perfect start when they took a third minute lead through on-loan Diomansy Kamara. Six minutes later Michael Paton sent a superb shot past Artur Boruc to level.

Marc-Antoine Fortune restored Celtic's lead in the 36th minute before Darren Mackie fired Aberdeen level just over a minute later.

In the second-half Robbie Keane headed Celtic ahead and Aiden McGeady gave them a two-goal cushion for the first time in the match.

However former Rangers player Steven Maclean cut their advantage with a penalty after Edson Braafheid had handled in the box before popping up to make it 4-4 with minutes left.

Mowbray said he was stunned by Braafheid's lack of concentration which led to the penalty.

"I don't know why the hand goes up. There are no complaints it was a penalty kick and it gave them a lifeline just as the game was dead and buried really.

"The funny thing is in between that period of going 4-2 up their keeper made two fantastic saves and the game looked finished but all credit to them they kept going."

Despite missing the opportunity to pile the pressure on Rangers with a win at Pittodrie, Mowbray says a positive result for Hibernian at Ibrox on Sunday could see the point gained against Aberdeen becoming an invaluable one.

"It's a point for us. We don't what the results are going to be tomorrow and it may be a point gained so we'll wait and see," Mowbray added.