Celtic refuse to give up on title

23 October 2011 09:49

Beram Kayal says Celtic still believe they can win this season's Scottish Premier League title despite trailing rivals Rangers by 10 points.

It has been a troubled start for the Hoops who have been defeated three times in their opening 10 matches.

Last weekend they needed a remarkable second-half comeback to seal a 3-3 draw away to Kilmarnock after trailing by three goals at half-time.

Beleaguered boss Neil Lennon has come in for criticism following his side's poor run of results, but he was handed a boost this week when Israeli international Kayal signed a contract extension that will keep him at the Parkhead club until the summer of 2015.

And the midfielder says Celtic must now target victory in all their matches, starting with Sunday's visit of Aberdeen, as they look to claw back Rangers' huge advantage.

"If I didn't believe I wouldn't be here," Kayal said.

"It's a long season. Remember, last season we lost a match and then went undefeated for 14 games so why not do that again. If we think about the future we must start to win every game.

"Always, I believe in putting all my focus on the next game and not the whole season. But the league starts now and we want everyone here at the club to start winning matches.

"I think the point we took on Saturday is where we start again to fight in every game and win matches.

"After the way we came back in the second half, everyone now has confidence to come back and win games. We believe."

Celtic were without Kris Commons, Gary Hooper and Georgios Samaras for their 1-1 draw with Rennes in Thursday's Europa League match in France through injury but the trio could return to face Craig Brown's Aberdeen on Sunday.

After a poor start to the season the Dons have won their past two matches as they climbed away from the relegation zone.

The Hoops could find themselves 13 points off the top by the time they take to the pitch on Sunday if Rangers can defeat Hearts in the day's early kick-off match at Tynecastle.

The Ibrox club's nine-match winning run came to an end last weekend when Ally McCoist's side were held to a 1-1 draw by St Mirren.

Hearts have won their past four matches at Tynecastle, including a 2-0 victory over Celtic at the beginning of October.

But Rangers will be looking to make amends after Paulo Sergio's side held the champions to a 1-1 draw on the opening day of the season.

Manager McCoist will have virtually a full squad to pick from, apart from on-loan Kyle Bartley who remain sidelined with a knee injury.

Sunday's fixtures:

Hearts v Rangers, Celtic v Aberdeen

Source: AFP