Celtic slip from top spot

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE Celtic 0 Motherwell 0: TONY MOWBRAY looked to Barry Robson's return to Clydesdale Bank Premier League action for some comfort after Saturday's goalless draw against Motherwell at Parkhead left his side a point behind Old Firm rivals Rangers at the top of the table.

A Co-operative Insurance Cup tie against Falkirk and a substitute appearance against Rapid Vienna in the Europa League was the sum total of the midfielder’s season before Mowbray handed him an SPL start against the Fir Park side.

The Parkhead fans moaned and groaned their way through an afternoon of missed chances but the former Dundee United midfielder, battling back to full fitness from a groin injury which had kept him out for seven months, escaped most of the flak before fatigue saw him substituted by Zheng Zhi with just over 20 minutes remaining.

However, Robson may have done enough to secure a place in the side for the Europa League clash with Hamburg at Parkhead on Thursday night.

With two wins in seven at Parkhead since taking over from Gordon Strachan in the summer, Mowbray has made the poorest start to the season at home for a new Celtic boss since Jimmy McGrory in 1946.

The Hoops have lost at Celtic Park to Dynamo Moscow and Arsenal and have been held by Rapid Vienna, Dundee United and Motherwell.

Their only home wins have come against St Johnstone and Hearts but Mowbray was less enamoured when the subject of his home record was broached.

“I’m not interested in Arsenal in the Champions League or Dynamo Moscow. We have drawn against Dundee United and Motherwell. You can throw stats at me all you want but our league form is fine.”

At Rangers, Sasa Papac believes victory in Tuesday night’s Champions League meeting with Unirea Urziceni is crucial if Rangers are to have any hope of progressing to the last 16.

And he admits a similar performance to the one they produced against St Johnstone, who they beat 2-1, simply will not be good enough.

The Scottish champions prop up Group G at the moment, having taken a point from their opener in Stuttgart, before crashing 4-1 to Sevilla at Ibrox.

Walter Smith’s men now face back-to-back games against the Romanian champions, starting with a home clash on Tuesday night before travelling to Bucharest early next month.

And, as far as Papac is concerned, anything less than a victory this midweek would be disastrous for Rangers’ hopes of progression.

“If we want to get to the last 16, we must win this game. We know they are a good team, but we know we need the three points to finish second in the group.”