Source: Team_Talk
McNeill baffled by Mowbray criticism
The Hoops boss has endured a mixed start to his tenure in the east end of Glasgow, with some supporters unhappy with results both at home and abroad so far this season.[LNB]A 3-3 draw with SPL bottom side Falkirk on Sunday means more pressure being heaped on the man who succeeded Gordon Strachan in the summer.[LNB]As a former captain and manager of Celtic, McNeill is all too aware of the demands for instant results and fully accepts that high expectations are all part of being an Old Firm boss.[LNB]But he was also keen to point out to those unhappy with Mowbray's efforts so far that the beleaguered boss has still managed to steer Celtic to the summit of the SPL despite criticism of him and his team.[LNB]"I've got a lot of sympathy for Tony," admitted McNeill. "He is in a difficult situation. He has taken a new job on. But he is sitting at the top of the league and people tend to forget that.[LNB]"I can't understand how they can just dismiss the fact that we are sitting top of the league.[LNB]"He has performed well and, if he is still at the top of the league at the end of the season, what are they going to say then?"[LNB]McNeill can understand the frustrations of the fans and says, as a former player, Mowbray will also be keenly aware of their demands.[LNB]He said: "The fans are terrific and this club is very fortunate to have such fantastic fans.[LNB]"But they are demanding. There is no doubt about that. You can understand it.[LNB]"They travel everywhere to see the team and it really is important to give them something to enjoy. If you can do that, and win the league, it's all good.[LNB]"Tony played here, he knows what is expected of you here. He would have come here with the full knowledge of what was going to be demanded of him.[LNB]"I just hope he is able to stay here and provide the fans with the type of results they want.[LNB]"I'm confident that will happen. I think he has started well, he is enthusiastic in his own style, and hopefully he puts it all together and does get it right."[LNB]Much has been made of the defence this season, with Mowbray himself admitting recently he had yet to decide on his preferred partnership.[LNB]But McNeill believes the recruitment of new players in January is not necessarily the answer, saying the current crop of players may just need time to adapt to their new manager and vice versa.[LNB]"He is possibly still working on things," said the former defender. "He hasn't been at the club all that long and there will be a lot of things he is not content with and a lot of things he will be enjoying.[LNB]"I've got to be honest. The centre-backs, for me, have been good performers at different times.[LNB]"They are maybe just going through a difficult patch at the moment. But they are players with ability and, if they can show that ability, there shouldn't be any problems."[LNB]And McNeill had words of encouragement for club captain, Stephen McManus, in particular.[LNB]He added: "Big Stephen is a great big lad. He is enthusiastic and determined and I think he is a smashing player.[LNB]"He is still very young in a lot of ways and, as he develops, he will be a really good player for us."[LNB][LNB]
