Mowbray bemoans derby decisions

07 October 2009 15:36
Former Parkhead striker Kenny Miller scored twice for the home side before Aiden McGeady reduced the deficit from the spot after Light Blues defender Sasa Papac had tripped Celtic debutant Zheng Zhi. But as in most games between the Glasgow giants, controversy has raged in the days following the final whistle. On Monday referee Craig Thomson admitted he should have awarded the visitors a penalty with the score are 1-0, when Shaun Maloney was challenged by Rangers skipper David Weir. There were later appeals for another penalty when Maloney again went to ground after clashing with Weir but the Parkhead midfielder found himself in the book for diving, as did Hoops' defender Mark Wilson in the second half when Thomson judged him guilty of simulation as went past Papac in the Rangers penalty area. After watching the game on DVD, Mowbray claimed the denial of two more spot-kicks was in keeping with some of the decisions that have gone against his side this season already. However, the Celtic boss admits they should not be allowed to overshadow his side's defensive frailties. "I have watched the incidents back and I don't think it would have been harsh if we got three penalties, but we can't question the referee's motives," he told Celtic View. "He made a decision based on what he thought was right and in the aftermath he has changed his mind, but it's a bit too late for us. "It's not the first time that we have had contentious decisions. "I got drawn into the Aiden McGeady (diving) incident at Easter Road and there was a last-minute penalty against Dundee United, where (United manager) Craig Levein admitted he was disappointed his man didn't just go ahead and catch the ball, it was so blatant a handball. "But we have to live with these things and it does not do to bleat about it because ultimately, it can deflect from the problems we have had, keeping clean sheets of late. "As coaching staff we have to work to eradicate those errors because in recent games we have had to go chasing football matches after giving opposing teams a goal of a start." Mowbray is frustrated that he will not get the chance to work with his squad again until the day before the Motherwell game a week on Saturday. Stephen McManus and Gary Caldwell flew put to Japan on Scotland duty, although Danny Fox and Scott Brown pulled out of George Burley's squad. Several other Celtic players, though, are away with their respective countries which means Mowbray is being denied the chance to iron out well-publicised defensive problems. "A few are carrying knocks and might not travel," he said. "But we are not going to have a squad of players who can work. "Whatever situation we look at, attack, defence or individual coaching, you can't actually get down to work on things. "Some of them won't actually get back to the Friday, the day before we play Motherwell, and it has to be a work in progress really, trying to eradicate the problems. "It's up to me to put the right personnel on the pitch who can do the job and maintain their concentration levels. "How big are the injury problems? Well, it's a concern and it's probably good for those lads that this break has come along because sometimes you end up playing through niggles which never get a chance to heal properly."

Source: Team_Talk