Celtic boss slams Ambrose
by Sammy Wejinya 13 February 2013, 08:20
The Celtic Manager, Neil Lennon has criticised the performance of Nigerian centre-half, Efe Ambrose in Tuesday’s 0-3 loss to Juventus on a first leg round of 16 stage of the Uefa Champions’ League.
The Bhoys face an uphill task to qualify for the quarterfinals after capitulating to a heavy loss to La Vecchia Signora in front of their supporters at Celtic Park with Efe culpable for two of the goals.
He failed to deal with a long ball early in the first half allowing Alexandra Matri to pounce while another error late on in the game allowed Juve complete an emphatic win which virtually renders the return leg in Turin academic.
Lennon has been criticised in some quarters for fielding the Nigerian in the game as he had just returned from the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa but the Celtic gaffer does not believe fatigue and jet lag was an issue for Ambrose.
“Fatigue was not a factor (for Ambrose). The first goal we conceded, he could have done better and then he misses a great chance (with a header from point blank range) to make it 1-1,” a disappointed Lennon explained after the game.
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The former Celtic defender also took the time to analyze the third goal scored by Juventus, after another Ambrose mistake.
“The soft goal was very poor from his point of view and I think he will be very disappointed in himself.
‘I had to start him because we had very few options at the back,” he concluded.
