LIAM SCALES offered up an apology to the suffering Celtic fans who have just witnessed three dreadful defeats in the space of eight days.
Wilfried Nancy’s start to his career as Hoops boss is now in the record books as being the worst-ever sequence for a new gaffer.
Parkhead losses against Hearts, 2-1 in the Premiership, and AS Roma, 3-0 in the Europa League, were followed by another abject failure at Hampden yesterday as St Mirren routed the holders 3-1 in another mystifying performance from the champions.
The stands in the Celtic end started to empty with 14 minutes of regulation time to play when Jonah Ayunga thumped his second and the Paisley club’s third goal behind the exposed Kasper Schmeichel.
Marcus Fraser had given Stephen Robinson’s outfit the lead in only 91 seconds following a right-wing corner-kick, but that was cancelled out by Reo Hatate in the 23rd minute before the roof caved in during the second period.
Those who remained to the final whistle from referee Kevin Clancy let their feelings known as they angrily booed following the club’s three in a woe.
CUP FINAL DUEL…Liam Scales and St Mirren’ Conor McMenamin jostle for possession.
A clearly dejected Scales said: “It is obviously really disappointing. I think the fans probably deserve an apology for the performances.
“It hasn’t been good enough and we need to, as players, just adapt and take responsibility and be better.
“You have to credit St. Mirren, as well. They were the better team on the day. They were better organised and it’s they’re day and big credit goes to them.
“We’ve had defeats like this before because we had one last season (the Scottish Cup penalty-kick loss to Aberdeen). You don’t want to be in that position, but it’s a mad game.
“So, anything can happen.”
The Republic of Ireland international centre-back refused to put the blame in the formation change by Nancy after the team had chalked up seven wins from eight games during Martin O’Neill’s interim period in the dug-out.
Scales, speaking to Premier Sports, continued: “We know what we’re being asked to do. We’ve just played a different way for so long. So, that’s it.
CONSOLATION GOAL…Reo Hatate stretches to knock the ball wide of keeper Shamal George.
“We’re all professionals. We should be able to adapt. It’s been a tough week.
“I think we all just have to stick together to get through it. We’ve had tough times before and we’ve just stuck together and got through it. We’ve had good times since.”
Turning his thoughts to the crucial league game against Dundee United at Tannadice on Wednesday night, Scales added: “We don’t have much time to sulk.
“We will come in, train and recover. I think the best thing to do is to get it out of our system.
“You’ve got to just get on with things. You take the time to sort of be angry, sad, whatever, but after that, it’s got to just be put out the window.”
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