daniel refuses to be thrown to the lions

1 Oct 2011

Hearts v celtic Defender bristles over criticism ahead of trip to Tynecastle, writes Alison McConnell

I f Daniel Majstorovic’s ears have been burning these past few weeks, he has done a good job pretending otherwise. Widely criticised for his part in Celtic’s soft centre, the Swedish defender has come in for a fair amount of flak from observers and supporters alike, albeit he was in a position to ignore the particularly fierce stick that was dished out after the Old Firm defeat since he was sidelined for that one.

Majstorovic, though, has effectively put his hands over his ears and got on with it. Restored to the heart of the Celtic defence after injury for the past three games, the stopper bristled at the suggestion that he has a case to answer for as Neil Lennon’s side attempt to shore up what has been a porous backline and he was bullish in his assertion that he is deserving of his current position at the heart of defence.

The Swedish internationalist did not cover himself in glory in the eyes of the Celtic support last term, but it was his performance against Sion in Switzerland when he conceded a penalty and was dismissed within minutes of the game kicking off that incensed many of the club’s support. That level of performance has been reflected in routine domestic games this season when the back four have looked ill at ease and somewhat sea-sick whenever they have found themselves under any real pressure.

Celtic assistant Johan Mjallby was moved to comment this week that there had to be an end to the silly goals and silly defending, but Majstorovic did not share the same view.

“I don’t think I need to answer any questions,” he said. “I am 34 years old and quite experienced. I know myself and I know the quality I can bring in to the team and to the squad and on the field and I just need to believe and keep on going. Football always has ups and downs. When you play at a club like Celtic there are always high expectations.

“I am always motivated. I don’t think about anything else. I have been in the business for a long time and wherever I have been I have always played, so this is nothing new for me.

“To be honest in the eight games we have played in the league we have only lost two goals, if you take the Rangers game away. Of course against Rangers we did not perform well. We are offensive minded in how we play so there will always be situations where we think we will have to do better so we just need to keep on going and believe in the quality we have in the squad and I am sure at the end of the day we will be happy with that.”

Taken from the Herald