Celtic fight for scraps after Mowbray exit

Neil Lennon will take charge of Celtic for the first time since he was named caretaker-manager when the Hoops face Kilmarnock at Parkhead on Saturday.

The reserve team coach has taken on the role until the end of the season after the sacking of Tony Mowbray on Thursday following the shock 4-0 defeat to St Mirren.

It was the Parkhead club’s seventh league defeat of the season and leaves them ten points behind Rangers, having played two games more than their Old Firm rivals.

Mowbray swept into Celtic seven months ago with promises of attacking football and quickly set about dismantling the side he inherited.

Several players who were regulars under previous manager Gordon Strachan were shipped out while the former West Bromwich Albion boss brought in eight new signings in the January transfer window alone.

But high profile arrivals such as Spurs on-loan striker Robbie Keane couldn’t save Mowbray and one of the players he sold soon after his arrival had no sympathy.

“It’s a results-based business,” said Bristol City midfielder Paul Hartley.

“The St Mirren game was the final straw. It’s hard to find any positives. He got rid of too many players too quickly. The backbone of the side had been a lot of the Scottish lads but now there is no leadership on the park. The team looked desperate against St Mirren.

“Rangers haven’t bought a player in 18 months and yet they could be 16 points clear if they win the games in hand.”

Now former Celtic captain Lennon must rally his side as they attempt to finish the season strongly.

He will not be helped by Celtic’s lengthy injury list with defenders Thomas Rogne and Joos Hooiveld still battling to be fit while Shaun Maloney is injured.

Glenn Loovens and Paddy McCourt continued their rehabilitation from injury in a midweek practice game but Saturday’s match may be too soon for them.

Josh Thompson and Darren O’Dea are expected to remain at the heart of Celtic’s defence which, before their heavy defeat to St Mirren, had managed to keep three clean sheets on the trot, the club’s best form in two years.

It is just two weeks since Celtic defeated Kilmarnock 3-0 and the Rugby Park side, who sit just four points above the bottom, will want to improve on that result.

In the early kick-off, Hearts host Rangers at Tynecastle.

Walter Smith’s side get back to league duty for the first time in two weeks after their hopes of winning a domestic treble this season were ended by defeat in the Scottish Cup by Dundee United on Wednesday.

However they could close in on retaining their league title with a win over Hearts, who are pushing for a top-six finish.

Defenders Madjid Bougherra and Kirk Broadfoot remain on the sidelines but Kevin Thomson and Lee McCulloch return after suspension.

Aberdeen take on St Mirren at Pittodrie. Mark McGhee’s side haven’t won in 10 league games and face a Buddies team buoyed by their thrashing of Celtic which took them further away from the relegation zone.

Dundee United and Motherwell clash at Tannadice in a battle for third place.

United are on a high after their win over Rangers but Motherwell are unbeaten in 11 games.

Bottom club Falkirk take on Hibernian in their battle to avoid relegation. Hamilton host St Johnstone, who are hoping to push for a place in the top six.

Fixtures (1500 GMT unless otherwise stated)

Saturday

Aberdeen v St Mirren, Celtic v Kilmarnock, Dundee United v Motherwell, Falkirk v Hibernian, Hamilton v St Johnstone, Hearts v Rangers (1230)