O´Dea warns Celtic can´t afford any more losses

Celtic captain Darren O’Dea says his side can’t afford to lose any more games as they slipped ten points behind rivals Rangers at the top of the Scottish Premier League following a 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Hibernian.

The stand-in skipper, playing just his third game since his return from a loan deal from Reading, watched as Marc-Antoine Fortune gave Celtic a fifth minute lead on Wednesday when he headed in off the crossbar for his third goal in two games.

However Hibs struck back against the run of play through Anthony Stokes mid-way through the first-half and as Celtic committed men forward in search of a winner a fast break from Hibs saw substitute Danny Galbraith fire a stoppage time winner past Artur Boruc.

At the same time Old Firm foes Rangers were racing to a 2-0 away win to St Mirren which increases the gap over Celtic, who are now just two points ahead of Hibs in third. Celtic now face two away games in succession starting with Hamilton on Saturday before facing Kilmarnock next Wednesday.

And while refusing to concede the title race was over O’Dea, instated as captain in the absence of Stephen McManus, said some players had to grow up quickly.

“This is a massive challenge although you cannot be at a club like this and shirk challenges and we roll on to Saturday,” the Irish defender said.

“It’s going to be tough and we’re going to have to do something about it. “It’s not going too well just now and the players have to step up and be men and win games for the club.

“No matter who is on the pitch, it is their responsibility to win games and too many players are not taking responsibility.

“We must win on Saturday and we must win next Wednesday. We can’t afford to lose games. At Celtic you don’t get the chance to lose games and mess about. We have to grow up quickly.

“We have a game in hand and still have Rangers to play twice so it’s not over by any means but it is a big challenge.”

His manager Tony Mowbray, who refused to answer questions on whether pressure was mounting on him following the defeat, insisted his side could still overhaul Rangers in the race for the championship.

“We have got to play Rangers twice and from the evidence of the first two games these are games we should be looking forward to,” the Hoops gaffer said. “There are enough games and enough points left. Both sides of the Old Firm have dropped points this season and there are enough teams at the top of the table that can take points from us.

“We have got to keep believing. We’re building a team here and when it clicks in place lets hope you see us go.

“I believe we can win every game. When I watch the football matches and see the flow of the games and the opportunities we create I think we had better believe we can win every football match starting on Saturday.”

However the Hoops gaffer added: “Is it right to believe we can win every game? I think so.

“Will we win every game? Probably not because the evidence of the season suggests we ain’t going to win every game but we will try to for our supporters and see where it takes us.”

Despite the loss to Hibs being their first at Celtic Park on league duty this season the Hoops’ form at home since the turn of the year has been poor with just two points from the last three games.

Mowbray added: “We have lost one all season at home in the league and I’ve got a strong belief that might be the last game we lose at home.

“They showed enough evidence that they can win football matches.

“Of course I’m concerned about the ten-point gap. We’d rather be ten points in front.

“Celtic fans watching the game will be disappointed and we’re disappointed. We’re all in this together and we’re all going in the same direction and when things click into place it will be the right direction I’m sure.”