Robson Wants More Goals From Celtic Midfielders

Mar 23 2008 By Euan Mclean

Barry Calls For Action In Support Of Hoops Frontmen Gretna V Celtic Today, Almondvale Kick-Off 2pm, Live On Setanta

BARRY ROBSON has called on Celtic's shot-shy midfielders to weigh in with more goals because the team can't keep relying on top scorer Scott McDonald.

The Hoops ace knows his side must gun down Gretna today to keep their title challenge alive.

And the former Dundee United captain, who has netted 14 times from the middle of the park this term, insists the threat must come from all over the pitch.

Celtic's lacklustre midfield has come under fire and Robson believes they need to start backing up 25-goal McDonald plus fellow strikers Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Georgios Samaras.

He said: "We are playing well but the whole team must chip in with goals - we can't rely on the strikers.

"It's the same at every club - the midfielders and even defenders from corners need to help out with scoring.

"The team needs more goals because we're performing well enough and have a lot of talent. Goals will come."

Robson was cup tied when Aberdeen sent Celtic spinning out of the Scottish Cup at Parkhead last week.

That 1-0 defeat left Gordon Strachan's side with just the SPL to play for.And with a massive Old Firm clash at Ibrox looming on Saturday, the Hoops new boy knows there is no room for slip-ups.

The clash with Gretna shouldn't pose many problems but Robson expects the administration-hit side to be dangerous.

He said: "It's going to be a massive game for Gretna as many of the players will be trying to impress clubs elsewhere.

"But it's a big match for us too. We have to win every game now."

The fixture chaos that has sent the SPL into meltdown is clearly messing with players' heads - Robson wasn't even sure WHERE today's game would be taking place after Fir Park was closed for a month to relay a waterlogged pitch.

But he was pleased to learn it will be held at Livingston's Almondvale as the surface is a vast improvement on Fir Park.

Robson said: "I hope the better pitch works to our advantage. There has been a lot of rain and it has been hard on pitches.

"The surfaces haven't been as good but everyone has to put up with it."

Robson knows all about the danger Gretna pose after the basement boys denied him the chance to top the table earlier in the season with Dundee United.

Now he's determined not to let them scupper his hopes of scaling the heights again at Celtic.

Barry said: "Gretna have some decent players and United lost twice to them.

"The situation they are in must be hard for the players - especially as they are really good professionals who have worked hard to get the club into the SPL."

Hoops boss Strachan (right) reckons Gretna's plight puts his own club's stuttering fortunes into perspective.

He was quoted as admitting Celtic were in crisis after the Cup exit to Aberdeen but Strachan insists the cash-strapped club are the ones with real problems.

He said: "I don't knowif Gretna will be more dangerous because of the adversity they've been through. But they seem to be handling themselves well.

"We've been talking about a crisis this week but that is a real crisis - when you need to tell your missus you have no money coming in but you have a car to run and mortgage to pay.

"That situation doesn't happen in too many businesses because the trade union would get everyone to down tools. I can't think of any other business where you can go so long without being paid.

"I don't know if we can do anything to change it but I would like to think we can support the Gretna players although I'm not sure how.

"For us it's just about collecting points at the moment. I can give you all the stats about the Aberdeen game - 26 attempts at goal, 35 crosses, 481 passes to their 200 - and it wouldn't interest you that much. But it does interest me because it says we are doing a lot of things right.

"The only thing that interests everybody is how many times you stick the ball in the back of the net.

"However, the rest of the stats are saying the performance level and fitness are there. We're just not doing the one thing that is most important.

"I can only ask the lads to perform at a level and they are doing that. I don't see anybody hiding from the ball.

"At this stage of the season it comes down to physical and mental strength otherwise the game will chew you up and spit you out. It's not easy but I look upon it as a challenge and that's what keeps me fresh."

Meanwhile, Strachan confirmed that defender Bobo Balde (left) is fit again after returning from the Africa Cup of Nations with an injury. But the Celtic boss hinted wewon't see theGuinean soon as he is happy with defensive pair Stephen McManus and Gary Caldwell.

He said: "Bobo was unfit when he left for the African Nations. He got fit for the first game out there then got injured for Guinea's last game.

"Bobo hasn't been fit again until this week and hasn't had any games yet.

"He might be someone we turn to for experience but in the last 10 league games we've lost two goals. That says the guys in possession have done reasonably well.

"That is a good stat and if we do the same for the next 10 games I'm sure it will be an exciting finish to the season."