BBC Sportfootball

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

Related BBC sites

Page last updated at 23:39 GMT, Wednesday, 2 December 2009

Celtic deserved better - Mowbray

Tony Mowbray watches his side beat Hapoel
Mowbray was pleased his side took their chances this time round

Celtic manager Tony Mowbray claimed his team did not get what they deserved from their Europa League campaign after their first victory in the competition.

The 2-0 win over Hapoel Tel-Aviv could not prevent the Glasgow side's elimination from Group C.

"The frustration is that we haven't really got what we deserved from the campaign," said Mowbray.

"We've been very competitive, but there you go, the results are what they are and we have to get on with it."

Goals midway through each half from Georgios Samaras and Barry Robson secured a 2-0 triumph over Hapoel Tel Aviv at Parkhead, but the Israelis progressed with Hamburg after Rapid Vienna lost in Germany.

The victory was only Celtic's second in nine European games under Mowbray and followed two defeats and two draws in their previous group games.

In other games, the keeper has made good saves and we've missed opportunities, put shots past the post

Celtic manager Tony Mowbray

But Mowbray felt the only difference in the performance against Hapoel was their ability to take chances.

"It was a very similar performance to what we saw throughout the campaign - disciplined, organised," he said.

"We took a few more opportunities tonight, whereas in games gone by we have missed a few opportunities.

"In every game we have played we have been very competitive. We talked about the fine margins in football. Barry Robson smashes home a free-kick and Samaras scored a great header.

"In other games, the keeper has made good saves and we've missed opportunities, put shots past the post. You have got to take chances, especially at this level, because they don't come around too often."

Mowbray rued their late collapse in Israel, when Celtic lost two late goals after leading 1-0 following a dominant first-half display.

"We went to Tel Aviv and I think we were the better team for a long, long time and yet they ultimately deserved the victory," he said.

"They played good football but never really threatened our goal until the last quarter of an hour. For whatever reason, they scored two goals that night.

"You can use all the excuses about the humidity and the heat, but they are a good football side as they have proven throughout the rest of their games.

MY SPORT: DEBATE

"But, for a start, there is a game we potentially should have won and didn't and there have been missed opportunities throughout this campaign."

While Hapoel started the group as outsiders, Mowbray praised the Israeli side.

"I watched them score eight goals against Rapid Vienna on DVD and they scored twice away in Hamburg," he added. "They are a good side."



Print Sponsor


see also
Missed opportunities for Mowbray
03 Dec 09 |  Celtic
Guttman says Israel win was key
02 Dec 09 |  Europe
Celtic 2-0 Hapoel Tel-Aviv
02 Dec 09 |  Europe
Celtic opposes Israeli match demo
01 Dec 09 |  Glasgow, Lanarkshire and West


related bbc links:

related internet links:
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites