Celtic 'still numb' after title disaster

Celtic captain Jackie McNamara admits the players are still "numb" after losing the Bank of Scotland Premier League in the final two minutes of the season.

The 31-year-old, who was hoping to celebrate his testimonial year with the double, saw his dreams wrecked by two goals from Motherwell striker Scott McDonald at Fir Park.

The Hoops lost 2-1 as Rangers clinched the title with a single-goal win at Hibernian, leaving the only hope of Celtic silverware this season coming from the Tennent's Scottish Cup final against Dundee United on Saturday.

The Celtic players also face the prospect of losing talismanic manager Martin O'Neill with the ex-Northern Ireland international widely expected to step down to care for his sick wife, Geraldine.

But the Hoops skipper has issued a rallying call to the squad to lift themselves head of the Hampden Park showpiece at the weekend.

McNamara told the club's official website, www.celticfc.net: "The whole picture has changed for us all, there's no point in denying that.

"To be honest, I can't put into words how low I am at the moment. I just can't describe my feelings - I'm numb to be honest with you. I don't know if it's even properly sunk in yet.

"Fortunately, we have a couple of days off to spend in different surroundings and, hopefully, by the middle of the week we'll be ready to bounce back from what's happened.

"Everyone's taken it very badly, as you would expect, but we can't afford to feel sorry for ourselves because there's an absolutely massive game coming up for us now on Saturday, and one that we absolutely have to win."

Meanwhile, Celtic midfielder Stilian Petrov admits the potential loss of O'Neill will be a massive blow for everyone concerned with the club.

Petrov said: "We have seen all the stuff in the papers. The gaffer has been great in his time with Celtic, with us and with the fans. It will be hard to see him go but everyone knows the reason. I hope everything goes well for him and his family but, at the end of the day, it is his decision and he knows what is best for him and his family."