Robson made his return from injury in the draw with Motherwell

Celtic midfielder Barry Robson has brushed aside concerns over their start to the season and claimed it is "silly" to question Tony Mowbray's credentials.

Mowbray's side were booed off the park following their goalless draw with Motherwell after losing their place at the top of the Scottish Premier League.

"In the last 30 minutes, we could have scored a few goals," said Robson.

"We missed a few clear-cut chances and, if they went in, we would have been talking about a decent performance."

However, under Mowbray, Celtic have won just two out of seven home matches.

And failure to make it three against Hamburg on Thursday would seriously damage Celtic's chances of qualifying for the knockout stages of the Europa League.

All the players are buying into the way Tony Mowbray wants to play Celtic midfielder Barry Robson

"It's permanent pressure at Celtic," said Robson, who made his first SPL start since February following his recovery from groin trouble.

"It's no different, we have about 10 crises a year, don't we?

"We're fine. We've played better, but we've played poorer. You need to give Motherwell credit, I thought they played well."

Robson revealed how well the players had taken to former Celtic defender Mowbray but warned that a new team would take time to gel.

"His philosophy on the game is great," said Robson. "All the players are buying into the way he wants to play.

"Everyone wants to play for him, the training is high tempo, a lot of challenges flying in, which is great.

"You want everybody in your team to click and play good football, but football doesn't work like that at any club, any standard, anywhere.

"But we will keep working hard and listening to what the manager wants, and keep playing expansive football, and we will come good. But I still don't think the performance was that poor."

Robson could understand the feelings of the fans who jeered Celtic on Saturday.

"Fans are the same everywhere, they want their club to do well," said the Scotland midfielder.

"We are only 10, 11 games into the season. The games we have had in Europe I think we have performed well and been very unfortunate not to come out with a result.

"I think everybody knows the good job Tony Mowbray did at Hibernian and West Brom and it would be silly to question his credentials.

"We will go on to have a good season because the coaching staff around him are very good as well."

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Robson's performance has given him hope of starting against Hamburg and he admits it will be the toughest match of their group so far.

Yet Celtic are in desperate need of three points after throwing away a half-time lead to lose 2-1 at Hapoel Tel Aviv and then failing to convert some good chances in a 1-1 home draw against Rapid Vienna.

"We know Hamburg will probably be a better outfit than the last two teams we faced," added Robson.

"We're under no illusions, but we're confident we can get a result."

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