Mowbray calls for McGeady protection
The Republic of Ireland player has been in impressive form for the Bhoys in recent weeks, although another eye-catching performance against Hearts at Tynecastle on Sunday was not enough to prevent the visitors losing 2-1 to remain four points behind Rangers at the top of the Clydesdale Bank Premier league.
Mowbray used the club’s official weekly magazine to air his grievances.
“It was a very special performance from Aiden – exceptional,” Mowbray said.
“He was great on the ball, showed great feet and was unbelievably direct at times.
“Aiden created most of our chances with his individual skills but I don’t think he is getting the protection his talent deserves.
“The number of fouls committed on Aiden against Hearts was really too many.
“I don’t want to come out in an open press conference and say this because I will be accused of moaning or whingeing but this is the right platform for me to talk about this.
“I feel the officials need to protect the talented footballers because that’s what the game needs.
“We are striving for talented, clever players.
“That’s why people watch football and, if the players aren’t being allowed to do that, then the game is in danger.”
When Celtic beat Motherwell on December 12 they went five points clear of Rangers, and Mowbray admits the swing back to the Ibrox side has been “unbelievable”.
The Bhoys take on Hamilton on St Stephen’s Day, then travel to Kilmarnock before the Old Firm derby at Parkhead on January, by which time Mowbray is hoping to be back on top.
He said: “By the time we had finished the game against Hearts we were four points behind, because of the way the fixtures had gone.
“That’s an unbelievable swing within a week but that’s the kind of swing we have to target over the Christmas period.
“The opportunities are there over the next three games to try and improve our current situation.
“We will approach every game positively and look to win all the games.”
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