Celts Must Keep Believing

Last updated : 21 September 2007 By Stray Shots Team
Sinnott was seething when Celtic lost their unbeaten home record against Exeter last weekend but he was far from despondent after the 4-0 reverse at table-toppers Stevenage Borough on Tuesday night.

The Celtic boss was adamant the scoreline wasn't a true reflection of the game and he wants his players to retain their belief when they head to Hampshire for another tough fixture against one of the Blue Square Premier big boys.

Sinnott said: "It has been a tough week without a shadow of a doubt, we will have played three of the top teams after Aldershot, but the performance on Tuesday night was pleasing.

"People might ask how you can say that when you lost 4-0. Well I'm not saying we're the finished article, but we're not doing too much wrong and the 4-0 scoreline was harsh.

"Yes we've been punished, and yes things aren't going our way, but it is about mental strength now.

"You have to pick yourself up, dust yourself down and keep believing in yourself. We haven't been far off and we have to carry on doing what we have been doing."

Sinnott refused to sit back at Stevenage, who have conceded just once at home all season, employing a 4-3-3 formation and it so nearly paid off with Roy Stamer twice forcing Alan Julian into good saves before the hosts went in front.

But Celtic were completely out of luck on the night.

Sinnott, who was able to field skipper Carl Serrant for the first time this season after he came through 45 minutes with the reserves on Monday, lost his other centre-half when Ryan Crossley picked up a knee injury after half- an-hour.

Worse followed in the second period when Andy Watson suffered a calf injury and had to be replaced by Gareth Grant and then, having just come on as the third and final substitute, Tris Whitman dislocated his shoulder and Celtic had to play the last 20 minutes with just 10 men.

The hosts took advantage to score two goals in the last 10 minutes to give the scoreline a rather flattering look.

Sinnott said: "Stevenage are a good side without a shadow of a doubt but when things contrive against you it does make life difficult.

"I'm not bleating, but 4-0 looks like you have been hammered and we haven't been hammered.

"I think the difference on the night was finishing.

"A team doesn't go to the side at the top of the league and have a corner count of nine and nine efforts on goal if they have been against the ropes. I know they had more but they are the leaders and they were the home side so you would expect that.

"Our approach will not change. If we can keep playing like that and improve we won't go far wrong."

Celtic will head to Aldershot - where they will have an overnight stay for the first time since Sinnott took charge four years ago - with Crossley and Whitman joining Scott McNiven, Damien Dunne and Ryan Sugden on the casualty list.

Watson is also highly doubtful.

Sinnott is hoping to get permission to sign an emergency loan player in time to make the trip.

Source: Reporter Wendy Walker - http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk