Bhoys Fall Nine Points Behind After Falkirk Draw

Celtic 1 Falkirk 1

Celtic's woes in the Scottish Premier League continued on Saturday when they could only manage a draw with bottom-of-the-table-crawlers Falkirk.

Ki Sung Yeung made his debut for the Bhoys, playing alongside Zheng Zhi after Glenn Loovens was sidelined with a stomach bug and Danny Fox still injured.

At the back, Mowbray started Stephen McManus, Darren O'Dea (who returned from loan) and Lee Naylor.

Both teams had good channces on goal in the opening minutes, but Celtic seemed to be the likelier side to score.

Despite the one-way traffic, Falkirk got the opener in the 19th minute, taking advantage of a rare chance with Carl Finnigan avoiding the challenge from O'Dea and shooting the ball past Boruc into the net.

Falkirk were unlucky not to have a second shortly after when Ryan Flynn curled a ball in from just outside the box but Boruc was able to steer it clear of the net.

Again, Celtic had plenty of chances but it wasn't until five minutes before half-time that they managed to put one away and equalize the game.

Samaras was the goal-scorer after he grabbed onto a Crosas pass and stormed down the left of the box to fire in a great shot past a helpless Olejnik.

Despite having the lion's share of chances in the second-half, Celtic were unable to convert any of them and had to settle with an unsatisfactory point from a perfectly winnable game.

Celtic manager Tony Mowbray was obviously disappointed with the result, but accepted blame for the team that took the field: "There was a few changes to the team, some enforced and some by choice, but the balance of the team wasn't particularly great.

"Ultimately, we're left a bit frustrated, but I can't question the desire to go and get the victory. The way the team drove on to get the victory against a Falkirk side who are hard to break down.

"Great credit to Falkirk for the way they defended, but obviously we're disappointed not to have taken all three points.

"I'm not here to make excuses, we get judged by the results.

"If the team wasn't performing, I would be more concerned, but we move the ball about and get it into fantastic areas, but we need to work on improving that final ball in the box."

Defender Gary Caldwell signed for Wigan Athletic last week, and told the BBC that he knew that his old club didn't want him anymore after his negotiations for a new contract broke down a few weeks ago.

"I think I had opinions of what I was worth to the club and they had different opinions," he said.

"That happens in football. I don't think they will have any regrets and hopefully I won't either.

"In the end, it was time for me to move on. For a long time the writing has been on the wall.

"I have nothing against the club, I thank everyone at the club for all they have done for me over the years.

"I did my very best for them right up until the last day I was there and I think that is all you can ask.

"I would have stayed until the end of the season as I was more than willing to help the club try to win the league again, but Gordon and Roberto came in and they allowed me to speak to them."