Mowbray heartened as brave Bhoys bounce back

TONY MOWBRAY watched his threadbare squad go within seven points of Clydesdale Bank Premier League leaders Rangers with a 4-1 win at St Johnstone yesterday, then revealed he has players ready to come back to increase the pressure on the Ibrox men.

The Bhoys, who have a game in hand on their neighbours, travelled to Perth with nine men unavailable, forcing the Celtic boss into giving 18-year-old defender Josh Thompson his first start.

Mowbray was dealt a further blow when defender Glenn Loovens, who had conceded a penalty which allowed Liam Craig to give the home side the interval lead, was carried off with a head injury after clashing with Kenny Deuchar.