Celtic are not good enough for title: John Hartson

(GSM) – Former striker John Hartson believes Celtic do not have what it takes to make up a 10-point gap on Rangers at the top of the Scottish Premier League.

“I feel that Celtic are not good enough to go on an unbeaten run. Their defence is too leaky; they concede far too many goals,” he told BBC Scotland.

“If Celtic were going to get back into this race, they’d have done it by now. There are still two Old Firm games, there are plenty of points to play for, but I think they’ll drop more points.”

Hartson, 34, played under Mowbray at West Brom after a successful five-year career at Celtic, which began in 2001.But the former Welsh international feels it is too late for his old manager at the Hawthorns to turn things around in his first season at Celtic Park.

“Anything is possible. Celtic could get on a good run and Rangers could get on a bad run,” said Hartson.

“But Rangers have their eye on the ball. They know what to do. They beat a very good Hibs team convincingly.”

Hartson added that Celtic had blown the chance to keep in touch with Rangers in the race for the title. While comparing his team with Rangers he said now Celtic 10 points behind them in the league and now Celtic need massive effort to take this lead off Rangers. He said Tony Mowbray has strengthened the front line with two very good signings in (Diomansy) Kamara and (Robbie) Keane, he pointed defence wasn’t up to the mark. He suggested choosing right player to strengthen defence.

“You go forward as a team and you defend as a team,” He added.

And Hartson highlighted one area where Rangers have a clear advantage over his former club.

“You need leaders. I saw Darren O’Dea wearing the captain’s armband the other day, which baffled me,” he said.

“Leaders are important, but if you have someone like Davie Weir, doing a fantastic job for Rangers, it helps you as a manager.”