Source: Team_Talk
Mowbray incensed despite victory
A wonderful solo goal by Paddy McCourt after 27 minutes was the difference between the sides for most of the game until the visitors sealed the three points 12 minutes from the end when Shaun Maloney's shot appeared to skim off Scott McDonald, who looked to have been in offside position.[LNB]However, although there was nothing fortuitous about Celtic's win - goalkeeper Artur Boruc barely had a save to make - Mowbray was far from pleased.[LNB]The Parkhead boss described the performance as unacceptable and looked for improvement ahead of Thursday's Europa League clash with Rapid Vienna at Parkhead.[LNB]"The positives were that we kept a clean sheet and we won 2-0," the former West Brom manager said.[LNB]"The negatives were everything else.[LNB]"It was a poor performance, poor passing, lacking of a cutting edge and creation, the decision-making was not good enough and neither was the quality.[LNB]"It's the poorest we've been all season.[LNB]"I am very disappointed as are the players and we have to improve if we are to find the consistency of results.[LNB]"Managers get frustrated. The players are a good group to work with but I can't accept what we saw today.[LNB]"The players know that and we have to work hard to be better."[LNB]Mowbray even dampened down the excitement around McCourt's goal which saw him beat five St Mirren players before driving past Saints keeper Paul Gallacher.[LNB]The Irishman netted his first goal for Celtic in the Co-operative Insurance Cup win at Falkirk on Wednesday, more than a year after signing from Derry City.[LNB]Mowbray said: "It was no more special than his goal on Wednesday. He does it every day in training and it's something that we expect from him."[LNB]The Celtic boss insists the decision to drop Gary Caldwell to the bench was simply to assess how Stephen McManus and Glenn Loovens teamed up together.[LNB]Caldwell criticised the club recently for failing to meet his demands in new contract talks but Mowbray said:[LNB]"I am having a look at the partnerships at the moment. It's the third partnership in the last three or four games.[LNB]"Stephen McManus has just put himself back in the frame and I am trying him with different partners.[LNB]"The next few months will show you what I think is the best combination."[LNB]Aiden McGeady missed the game because of an ankle injury and Mowbray insists he is 50-50 for the visit of Rapid Vienna.[LNB]The Celtic boss said: "The physio told me Aiden had a scan and there is very minor problem. We will make a decision closer to Thursday."[LNB]McCourt insists his goal against Falkirk meant more to him than the opener at St Mirren Park.[LNB]"The goal against Falkirk the other night was the best," he said.[LNB]"It was my first start for Celtic and it was a dream come true.[LNB]"I sat up that night remembering the times as young boy, I had literally dreamed of scoring for Celtic and for it to happen was amazing.[LNB]"It has proved to be a battle to get in to the first team but I still think I can do better and I have a good bit to go before I call myself a first-team regular."[LNB]The St Mirren camp were firm in their belief that Celtic's second goal should not have been allowed to stand although manager Gus MacPherson was obtuse in his summary of events.[LNB]He said: "You will need to ask McDonald if he got a touch but I don't think you need to, because once you see his celebrations (on television) you will understand.[LNB]"It was a difficult one to take because we were causing Celtic problems at that time. We had the momentum and it was taken away from us.[LNB]"I was annoyed by the first half because we allowed Celtic far too much time on the ball to pass it about.[LNB]"We were better in the second half and that is positive."[LNB]St Mirren defender David Barron insists McDonald knew his goal had been offside.[LNB]He said: "McDonald came from an offside position and got a touch.[LNB]"At the next corner, Paul Gallacher said to him that McDonald knew he got a touch because he had run away celebrating.[LNB]"I think he had a laugh to himself. I think he knew but didn't want to admit it."[LNB][LNB][LNB]
