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Neil Lennon critical of Celtic display in League Cup defeat

Last updated on .From the section Footballcomments130

Interview - Celtic manager Neil Lennon

Celtic manager Neil Lennon believes the Scottish League Cup semi-final defeat by St Mirren is one of the worst of his tenure.

Despite levelling the scores at 1-1, Celtic missed a second-half penalty and the Buddies' 3-2 win secured a final against Hearts.

"That was as poor as we've played this season," he said. "We were soulless.

"We were poor defensively, half-hearted in midfield, and apart from Gary Hooper going forward, we were tepid."

Esmael Goncalves grabbed the opening goal for St Mirren and Hooper levelled on the stroke of half-time.

Charlie Mulgrew saw his penalty saved and the Paisely outfit capitalised at Hampden.

Paul McGowan subsequently netted from the spot and and Steven Thompson netted a volley, with Mulgrew's late strike scant consolation for Lennon.

"There was no leadership and I'm not pointing the finger at Scott Brown for that at all," said Lennon.

"St Mirren played the way I expected them to. I got a response from the players at half-time, but the turning point was the two penalties - I didn't think either of them were.

"At the end of the day, we missed ours and Paul McGowan scored theirs and we ended up chasing the game. The third goal was awful and there was no reaction - the players were playing their own game and I'm bitterly disappointed with them today."

Lennon was critical of Mulgrew's spot-kick miss and said it proved to be a key factor in the defeat.

"As soon as we missed the penalty, we lost our way again," said Lennon. "We got a break with the penalty and we missed it.

"I'm fed up with the penalties we miss: Mulgrew, who is one of the best dead ball players in Britain, decided to side-foot it and I expected him to whip it low and hard into the corner.

"Maybe it's playing here (at Hampden), maybe we'll just not bother getting to semi-finals or finals if that's the way they want to play, because they've blown it - we've blown it.

"We had a great opportunity to get to a final again, and that's as bad as we've played for a long time under me; I'm struggling to find the answers."

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130 comments

  • Comment posted by User0150143638, at 22:46 27 Jan 2013

    Results have to be earned and rivals to be respected, Unfortunately Celtic failed to do both today!

  • Comment posted by AaronMurphy, at 09:39 28 Jan 2013

    Poor performance but Lennon has created a very good side at Celtic and i hate to see negativity towards him. The likes of Hooper, Wanyama, Emilio, Kayal, Commons, Matthews, Ledley and Forster all have a sale value at at least double their purchase value. All teams have off-days, lets cut him a bit of slack.

    Oh and newco fans laughing at yesterday, I'd much rather be in our position than yours.

  • Comment posted by David_Beckhams_Latest_Haircut, at 17:09 28 Jan 2013

    @87

    Having the flag of a country NOT of the country that club plays in must have an ulterior motive.

    Any flag on its own is obviously not problematic- it's all in the context.

    Having the Republic flag on the Celtic kit is no more helpful than Union flags thrown around home OF games at Ibrox. It's utterly unnecessary and utterly unhelpful.

    Dig your head out the sand.

  • Comment posted by Slenderman, at 13:50 28 Jan 2013

    "42. YWNASuarez
    2 HOURS AGO
    Scottish football is of such a poor quality. I could walk into the Dundee team, get player of the season and score 30+ goals."

    So how did the Oldham game turn out mate? Also who have you got in the CL last 16?

    Hats off to St.Mirren. Deserved victory.

  • Comment posted by AllanJ, at 11:31 28 Jan 2013

    @42 aka Deluded Scouser, get a life pal.

  • Comment posted by TheHarold, at 11:52 28 Jan 2013

    Lennon said: "There was no leadership and I'm not pointing the finger at Scott Brown for that at all," said Lennon.

    Sounds like he's pointing the finger to me?

  • Comment posted by AllanJ, at 12:00 28 Jan 2013

    @51 stick to turning up like Lemmings to SFL3 games and scraping draws with the mighty Montrose's of the world. We were poor and St Mirren were very good and thoroughly deserved to win, Neil did congratulate them. Good luck to Danny Lennon and the Paisley buddies, hope you beat the Jambos aka Rangers fans without the train fare :-)

  • Comment posted by Jim G, at 11:42 28 Jan 2013

    Great game to watch BUT Mr Collum c'mon a penalty against Jim Goodwin? it hit his chest then glanced his arm. Even then Collum yellow carded Goodwin for THAT! couldnt get hiscard out fast enough. Shameful to book a player for that. Willie as it was a direct shot at goal its a wonder you didnt produce Red card. Mulgrews OK Penalty & Yellow as he almost caught the ball. Common sense Mr Collum.

  • Comment posted by User0546341018, at 19:56 27 Jan 2013

    3rd Hampden appearance in a row where Celtic haven't looked interested: a team that expects to turn up and win. The minimum you expect from players is effort and their attitude was all wrong again. Mulgrew in particular was hapless. Too many imposters on the park.

  • Comment posted by User0257335024, at 23:02 27 Jan 2013

    Such negative comments from seemingly embittered supporters
    Celtic played poorly and ST Mirren were the better side,every side loses matches,thats Football. Lennon is the first to put up his hand and take responsibility for that.
    If you are supporters then SUPPORT.

  • Comment posted by User0003551872, at 23:04 27 Jan 2013

    Ross County 2010, Rangers 2011, Kilmarnock and Hearts 2012, and now St Mirren 2013. One player played all they games- Scott Brown. No drive, no impact in any of these games. An over-rated imposter. Not once today did he look like leading the team or driving us to victory. Been here for nearly 6 years and gave us a handful of decent performances and THAT celebration. Simply not good enough!

  • Comment posted by Mini, at 16:30 28 Jan 2013

    Wouldn't want anyone threatening that two horse race...lol

  • Comment posted by Darebeet, at 12:14 28 Jan 2013

    I didnt notice any congrats to St Mirren during Celtic gaffer's post match chat, which was a shame. As a sheep-dater, biggest woe is that Dons are so bouf and cant score goals/challenge for league leader spot...which also applies to Hearts, hibs, Motherwell....

  • Comment posted by User0268704975, at 12:04 28 Jan 2013

    The problem is Celtic will win the league without coming out of second gear, it is the same as Rangers in the third division, neither of them are playing well, the problem is they don't have to,this is where the complacency kicks in,

    It is good news for the rest of us, it gives us a chance in cup games,

  • Comment posted by User0268704975, at 11:32 28 Jan 2013

    Gents I actually know YWNA Suarez, please do not be nasty to him,
    He actually has learning difficulties,

    He is a very caring loving person really, just a little slow on the update,
    You might have seen him on the telly last Monday, he was the scouters on the undateable show!!

  • Comment posted by User0256656265, at 20:12 27 Jan 2013

    I suppose we will just have to get the treble the hard way.

  • Comment posted by Livibhoy, at 10:32 28 Jan 2013

    St Mirren thoroughly deserved the victory and I dont think team selection was the issue. Celtic should be able to beat St Mirren with a second string XI. St Mirren simply wanted it more, the atmosphere was dreadful and it seems Big Victor has been reading too many papers. I really hope Lurch and Ambrose are fighting fit for Juve or it could be a long night.

  • Comment posted by Colchie, at 09:15 28 Jan 2013

    Calm down Celtic fans, you don't have the divine right to win every match. Well done to St Mirren who got their tactics spot on.

  • Comment posted by User0916458582, at 10:56 28 Jan 2013

    @14 you know its a sad time for hearts fans when the only joy they have left is laughing at Celtic and The Rangers. I pity you and your team. Up to eyeballs in debt, unable to pay the ball boys there less-than-minimum wage on time never mind the diddy lithuanians the donkey Romanov brought here to play for you. Same to you Chuckles (28, 29 + 30). Sad ger havin a convo with himself on a 'tic story

  • Comment posted by caino81, at 09:56 28 Jan 2013

    bad day at the office for Celtic. St Mirren were well deserved winners. Just hope celtic get it together for the champs league against Juve. Just look at the FA Cup to see the cup always provides shocks!

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