CELTIC CRISIS 'It's self-inflicted' - Ireland legend rips into Celtic as they drop more points

Ten in a row hopes dead and burried after latest draw

Celtic's Callum McGregor is dejected as he walks down the touchline to do a TV interview following the Scottish Premiership draw with Livingston at Celtic Park, Glasgow

January 16 2021 06:02 PM

Celtic’s traumatic week ended with more damage as in-form Livingston battled to a deserved 0-0 draw at Parkhead.

Boss Neil Lennon, assistant John Kennedy and 13 first-team players were still self-isolating as close contacts of the injured Christopher Jullien, who was confirmed to have contracted Covid-19 after returning from a training camp in Dubai.

Chief executive Peter Lawwell admitted the trip was “a mistake” and apologised to the Celtic fans in the wake of the disappointing 1-1 draw against Hibernian last Monday night.

First-team coach Gavin Strachan was again in charge of a cobbled-together Celtic team but two more points were dropped in the Scottish Premiership title race against a keen Livi side, who went into the game with eight straight wins.

The champions are 20 points behind Rangers with two games in hand, although the Light Blues quickly get the chance of another victory when they travel to Motherwell on Sunday.

Lennon, Kennedy and the rest of the self-isolating Hoops will return over the next couple of days and prepare for a rematch against Livingston in West Lothian on Wednesday night, but the quest for 10 in a row appeared to move further away.

Celtic coach Gavin Strachan told BBC Sportsound: "Tough afternoon. Livingston are playing really well and imposed their style of play more than we did.

"We expect a bit more and were disappointed with the first-half performance. We had a bit more control in the second half, but wanted more shots at goal.

"With events that have gone on, the players' confidence has probably been affected."

The latest setback inspired former Celtic and Republic of Ireland keeper Packie Bonner to suggest the club have contributed to their own downfall.

"We're not at the end of January and Celtic could be 23 points behind Rangers tomorrow, that's quite incredible," Bonner told the BBC.

"It's self-inflicted, bad decision-making. Business at the club has not gone well. Four points gone for Celtic in a week; it's been disastrous for them."