WATT, MOWBRAY, MALONEY & ROBBIE KEANE



A round-up of news on some former Celts from this weekend as we await kick off from Tannadice…
FORMER Celtic striker Tony Watt scored again as Charlton overcame Cardiff City 2-1 for their fifth win out of six.
On-loan Watt, who was sold to Belgian side Standard Liege for £1.2million in the summer, added to the two goals he netted against Huddersfield last week.
Guy Luzon’s side had to come back from going a goal behind early in the second-half when ex-Manchester United frontman Federico Macheda netted.
Watt equalised in the 74th minute with Yoni Buyens grabbing the winner from the penalty spot three minutes from time.
Charlton boss Luzon admitted: “We didn’t play well in the first-half and I told the players at half-time that something had to change.
“We were organised, but that just wasn’t enough if we wanted to take three points back to London.So, we had to change the tempo and move the ball and then we played a lot better.
“In my philosophy, there is no point playing long balls. If you keep the ball and move it, then you have a chance to score goals. That is the first rule of football.“We also showed character when we were 1-0 down away from home to get the goal and then to continue playing after the goals.”
TONY MOWBRAY admits he isn’t surprised Coventry City are struggling after his 3-2 debut defeat from Port Vale.
The former Celtic boss, who agreed a short-term deal with the League One side last week, saw his team lose a 1-0 lead and concede three points at the Ricoh Arena.
Ex-Motherwell winger Jim O’Brien gave City the lead before Tom Pope and Mark Marshall scored to put Vale in the lead at half-time.
Sanmi Odelusi equalised with 20 minutes to go, but Michael O’Connor’s free-kick handed the visitors the points.A disappointed Mowbray, who replaced former Old Firm defender Steven Pressley, said: “We were naive at times for a young team.
“When we made it 2-2 it looked like that only one team was going to go on and win it, but it didn’t turn out that way.

“We gave away such a soft free-kick, when we were in such a comfortable position just outside our area and it has gone on to cost us.

“It’s not a surprise that we are where we are, because we’re performing mistakes of inexperience. It’s a work in progress as we move forward.

“If we have to go even more basic to keep clean sheets then we will do. I can’t fault the players’ determination, yet we have to cut out mistakes.

“We’ve scored two good goals, but I’m so frustrated as we need to start picking up points quickly.”

Mowbray is now looking towards Tuesday night’s home game against Bradford to stop the rot.

 He added: “We have an opportunity to pick up points against a side that have just played a hard, physical 90 minutes against a Championship side.

“We have to stick at it and give the defence stronger protection.

“But it’s gone now, I’ve told them what I think and now we start again.”
SHAUN MALONEY lost out to Robbie Keane in the battle of the ex-Celts as the MLS kicked off at the weekend.
The Scotland midfielder made his debut for Chicago Fire in California, but Keane netted the killer goal late in the game in LA Galaxy’s 2-0 win.
It was a day to forget for Maloney, who joined the American outfit from Wigan in the summer. He was also booked for a late tackle after just 22 minutes.
The home side piled on the pressure in the first-half, but couldn’t break the deadlock before Jose Villareal zipped in a low angled drive in the 65th minute.
Republic of Ireland star Keane wrapped up the points for the champions with a powerful strike nine minutes from time.
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