Excuses – we should’ve won
JEREMIE FRIMPONG refused to offer any excuses for Celtic’s title capitulation.
The champions’ crown is close to being ripped off as, despite Rangers’ slip at Motherwell, they still trail the leaders by a massive 21 points.
Back-to-back home draws with Hibs and Livingston following the Old Firm loss 16 days ago has left their 10-in-a-row hopes in ruins.
Celtic was not helped in the past two matches by the loss of 13 players due to Covid protocols following the disastrous consequences of the controversial mid-season training trip to Dubai.
Neil Lennon’s back-up squad were not able to deliver wins with coach Gavin Strachan in the technical area.
Frimpong admits it was down to those available to produce the goods ahead of the self-isolating players’ return for Wednesday’s return clash against Livi.
Assessing the stalemate with the Lions, he said: “It just wasn’t good enough from us. We didn’t get the result we were looking for. We had to win.
“We should have had enough out there to produce a better performance.
“Although there were a lot of players missing, there were enough regulars out there. That’s no excuse.”
Celtic’s self-isolating players are scheduled to be back at Lennoxtown now alongside manager Neil Lennon and assistant John Kennedy ahead of Wednesday’s match in West Lothian.
Although there were 16 individuals missing again for 0-0 draw with Livi but vice-captain Callum McGregor was in place and deeply disappointed at the display.
McGregor told Celtic TV: “It’s not good enough.
“We took far too long to get going in the first-half and put ourselves under pressure. We didn’t really understand the game, in terms of trying to build out and giving them territory, that’s what they want. It was really poor.
“Second-half was a little bit better and we had a great chance to score but it was a disappointing afternoon and we need to learn quickly.”
McGregor did reserve some praise for returning Anthony Ralston, who capped a first Hoops outing in 17 months with a glorious cross late in the game that sub Armstrong Okoflex failed to convert.
He added: “We did have chances, a big golden one at the end.
“Some of the guys who came in did all right, I thought Anthony did well.
“But we have to learn quickly, we are dropping too many points, that’s for sure.”