DEFIANT Scott Bain insists Celtic’s critics would be “silly” if they wrote off the champions.
Neil Lennon’s infuriatingly inconsistent team stepped onto another Premiership banana skin as they carelessly threw away two points in an error-festooned 2-2 draw with Hibs at Easter Road yesterday.
The Parkhead side had to fight back from two goals adrift after the Edinburgh outfit had been handed openings for Jamie Murphy and Kevin Nisbet in the space of seven second-half minutes.
A penalty-kick from substitute Odsonne Edouard and a stoppage-time strike from Diego Laxalt rescued the visitors from a frustrating and embarrassing loss in the capital that could prove to be extremely costly in the club’s quest for a tenth successive title.
Now Lennon’s stumbling, stuttering outfit are attracting wide-ranging criticism for some unacceptable performances that have seen the team lose to Ferencvaros, AC Milan and Sparta Prague in Europe while Steven Gerrard’s Ibrox side triumphed in the derby in the east end of Glasgow last month.
There have also been points dropped in draws at Kilmarnock, Aberdeen and now Hibs as the players fail to find the rhythm and consistency that has taken them to the brink of the incredible quadruple treble.
Reflecting on an erratic display in Edinburgh, Bain, speaking to the Sunday Mail, said: “It is frustrating. I think when we were 2-0 down we showed great character and belief that we could still go on and win the game.
“I think if the game was another three or four minutes we would’ve come away with a victory.
“We were in total control in the first-half. If we’d showed a bit more quality in the final third it would have been an easier game.
“Saving the penalty but conceding a rebound goal was frustrating as we do all the work on penalties and what’s going to happen.
“I think we need to be better all round the pitch at helping your mate out a little bit more. That will see us in good stead.
“You’re silly if you write us off. I’m sure there will be those who do it, but they will be silly to do it.
“We have always shown an ability to go on a run at the turn of the year.”
SAVIOUR LAXALT AS SLOPPY CELTS SHED POINTS
