Celtic manager Tony Mowbray feels McGeady is a target for rough treatment

Celtic manager Tony Mowbray believes Aiden McGeady is not getting protection from referees but does not want to accused of complaining about it.

The Republic of Ireland winger has been in form recently, but Mowbray feels the player is a target for rough treatment.

"The number of fouls committed on Aiden against Hearts was really too many," said Mowbray.

"I feel the officials need to protect the talented footballers because that's what the game needs."

"I don't want to come out in an open press conference and say this because I will be accused of moaning or whingeing but this is the right platform for me to talk about this.

I don't want to come out in an open press conference and say this because I will be accused of moaning or whingeing but this is the right platform for me to talk about this Celtic manager Tony Mowbray

"That's why people watch football and, if the players aren't being allowed to do that, then the game is in danger."

Celtic enter the Festive Season four points behind Rangers in the league title race following their 2-1 defeat by Hearts on Sunday, with a visit from their Ibrox rivals due on 3 January.

Hamilton visit Celtic Park on Boxing Day, then Mowbray's travel to Kilmarnock before the Old Firm derby, by which time the former West Brom manager is hoping to be back in the driving seat.

"By the time we had finished the game against Hearts we were four points behind, because of the way the fixtures had gone," said Mowbray.

"That's an unbelievable swing within a week but that's the kind of swing we have to target over the Christmas period.

"The opportunities are there over the next three games to try and improve our current situation.

"We will approach every game positively and look to win all the games."

Meanwhile, former Rangers manager Paul Le Guen has selected Celtic defender Landry N'Guemo for his Cameroon squad to travel to the African Cup of Nations in Angola, where they will face Group D games against Gabon, Zambia and Tunisia.

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