CELTIC hero John Hartson has opened fire on Alexandro Bernabei and labelled the defender “a disgrace”.
The Argentinian left-back was the target for the former Hoops striker’s raging attack after his lack of awareness cost the champions two crucial points in stoppage-time against Kilmarnock at the weekend.
Bernabei, a £3.75million recruit from top-flight Lanus in the summer of 2022, allowed David Watson to drift to the back post to get on the end of a Fraser Murray cross to head past the exposed Joe Hart.
OOPS…Alexandro Bernabei claims a push as he is caught out of position while David Watson heads in Kilmarnock’s equaliser at Parkhead.
The goal stunned the Parkhead crowd and wiped out the advantage of Kyogo Furuhashi’s first-half strike with Brendan Rodgers’ side dropping into second place 24 hours later after Philippe Clement’s Ibrox outfit beat St Johnstone 3-0 in Perth.
Bernabei had replaced Greg Taylor just after the hour mark as the hosts toiled to build on their slender lead. As the final whistle edged closer, there was an alarming lack of composure throughout the Celtic side.
Killie smelled blood and the Hoops were punished when Watson was allowed a free header to leave Hart helpless.
Hartson didn’t hold back as he fumed: “Bernabei is a disgrace, he doesn’t even challenge Davie Watson for the goal.
“If you’re a left-back in that position, last minute, you are giving everything to stop a goal. That could cost Celtic the title. It doesn’t mean enough, it’s got to matter more.
ON THE BALL…Alexandro Bernabei was a big-money recruit from Argentina.
“You’ve got to stop a goal as a defender with your life. It’s got to upset you, annoy you. That equaliser should never have been conceded.”Kilmarnock will say it was a good goal, but it should never have happened. You’ve got to learn to see games out.”
Hartson, speaking to the Go Radio Football Show, added: “Yes, Kilmarnock are doing well, but you can’t let them get three results against you and still expect to win the league.
“Some Celtic players wouldn’t play for Kilmarnock. They’re coasting, happy to be Celtic players and wouldn’t play for other teams in Scotland.
“Brendan Rodgers has been missing some first-team players. Cameron Carter-Vickers is out. Reo Hatate is out. But some of the players who have come into replace them, they are showing that they’re just not quite at the level.
“They should be ready to go in and give Brendan Rodgers a headache.”
