BRENDAN RODGERS insists Celtic will have to fight their corner better than they did against Motherwell after his team had wastefully dropped two points in a frustrating 1-1 draw at Parkhead.
The champions managed to get the breakthrough goal via an immaculate penalty-kick from David Turnbull in the 86th minute.
Distressingly, though, they allowed the visitors to equalise four minutes later when Jon Abika nodded in from six yards after some woeful defending from Joe Hart and Co as a left-wing corner-kick swung into the danger zone.
The rearguard was in disarray as the striker somehow forced the ball into the net as he stooped in front of Greg Taylor to apply the vital finishing touch.
FRUSTRATED…Brendan Rodgers’ reaction to Celtic’s display against Motherwell.
The fans were stunned into silence as the Hoops shed their fourth point at home in this campaign following the goalless deadlock with St Johnstone in August.
A downbeat Rodgers said: “When you’ve had as much of the ball as we’ve had with over 80% possession, I would expect us to create more than that.
“We weren’t clinical enough, but the players gave everything and the commitment and drive to get the goals was there.
“But that decisive moment from the corner was the big moment. They put in an extra man, but we should still deal with it.
“They have seven in the box and the ball arrives into the six-yard box and it drops and hits their guy and trickles over the line.
“It’s one where we have to be better in that moment whether it’s a loss of organisation or whatever, you have to see that.
“Corners for and against are decisive and they can win or lose you a game.”
CALAMITY…Joe Hart is helpless as Jon Abika beats Greg Taylor to the corner-kick to direct in Well’s leveller.
Now Rodgers is preparing for the Champions League encounter against Lazio in Rome, and speaking to Celtic TV, added: “It’s a very honest group of players and they are disappointed we haven’t picked up all three points.
“That’s something we have to be better at and there’s no time to dwell on it.
“We have to come in tomorrow and recover and get our plan ready for Tuesday.”
It was an afternoon to forget for the Hoops who made and missed chances, including a penalty-kick from Luis Palma in the 66th minute which was saved by Liam Kelly at his right-hand post.
HOOPS STALEMATE WOE AFTER HIT AND MISS
