Sport Forward: Mowbray upbeat despite home slump

Mowbray watched Celtic spurn chances in the cup defeat by Hearts

Celtic manager Tony Mowbray is confident his side will soon "click" despite their indifferent home form.

The 1-0 defeat by Hearts in the Co-operative Insurance Cup means Celtic have won only twice in nine attempts at Celtic Park this season.

"We would be concerned if we weren't making chances but we are making chances every game we play and it will click," Mowbray said.

"We take it on the chin and move on to the next game."

Celtic hold a one point lead at the top of the Scottish Premier League but have struggled to establish momentum at home.

And Wednesday's cup defeat in front of fewer than 20,000 supporters left Mowbray frustrated as the holders crashed out to a Michael Stewart penalty.

"In a stadium that is normally more atmospheric, we showed great desire to win a football match," Mowbray said.

"I didn't see a lack of belief. I saw a very positive team playing against a team who deserve credit for defending as well as they did.

"We deserved better than we got but sometimes you don't get what you deserve in football."

Substitute Georgios Samaras spurned a number of chances against Hearts but Mowbray was remaining upbeat.

"I thought Hearts were hanging on for grim life in the last 20 minutes, although they counter-attacked well.

"We knocked on the door but couldn't knock it down."

Sport Forward