Mowbray ready for crucial week

Under fire boss Tony Mowbray has labelled Celtic's next three games as 'must-win' encounters as they bid to get their season back on track.

The Hoops have failed to set their campaign alight having endured a dismal run of just two wins from their last 10 games, which has seen the Glasgow giants surrender top spot in the SPL and teeter on the brink of an early Europa League exit.

Celtic's failure to kill off games has been ever-present this term, none more so than last Sunday's 2-1 reverse to Dundee United where Mowbray's Bhoys squandered a lead before succumbing to two late set-pieces.

The criticism has been left largely at the Hoops tactician's door, but the former West Brom boss has challenged his players to secure maximum points from a trio of forthcoming fixtures.

Celtic face three successive home matches, against St Mirren on Saturday, Hapoel Tel-Aviv on Wednesday, and Aberdeen the following weekend and Mowbray believes the next week-and-a-half could shape his side's season.

Setbacks & Frustrations
"The very nature of football is that players and managers are going to suffer setbacks frustrations and defeats," he said.

"You have got to put it behind you and get back on the training ground.

"There is always another big game around the corner, and that's the case with us.

"We have three home games coming up in the space of eight days, against St Mirren, Hapoel, and Aberdeen. And we have to try to win them all.

"That's always the target at Celtic, winning matches. We have not done that consistently enough this season, but we will keep working together to find that level of consistency.

"I am sure we will read a lot this week about the opposition trying to feed off any anxiety over our results. The message has to be that we have to all stick together.

"Hopefully, we can get a result against St Mirren and then build on that."


Midfield boost
Mowbray is hopeful of welcoming back midfield duo Zheng Zhi and Paddy McCourt against St Mirren.

Both were absent from Sunday's defeat at Tannadice, Zheng through illness, and McCourt with a minor knock.

Celtic will unable to call upon the services of Scott Brown, amid reports he has been to visit a specialist in Amsterdam over his troublesome ankle injury.

Shaun Maloney is also out, while goalkeeper Artur Boruc will not be risked as he bids to recover from his recent ailment.

"It will probably be a bit too soon for Scott, Artur and Shaun," Mowbray told Celtic View.

"Of the three, Artur is not too far away but we'll see how he is.

"Zheng missed out against Dundee United because of illness but he should be okay for Saturday.

"Paddy had picked up a slight knock as well, but we expect him to be fine, but we'll know more as the week progresses."