Thread: Killen Blames Mogga For Team Morale

New Middlesbrough striker Chris Killen has questioned Celtic boss Tony Mowbray's managerial skills after switching clubs this week.

The 28-year-old arrived at the Riverside on a free transfer on Wednesday along with fellow former Parkhead players Barry Robson and Willo Flood.

Killen made 13 appearance without scoring in a Bhoys shirt this season before his move and believes Mowbray lost the respect of some of his team after a recent statement.

The New Zealand international claims Mowbray's public desire to sign 10 new players this January undermined the squad at his disposal, hence the club's faltering domestic form.

"I think what he said did upset a lot of the players, if we're being honest about it," Killen said in the Daily Record. "And, yes, the feeling at the training ground lately has been a bit confused.

"But that's fine. We're all professional football players and we realise that this is what happens when a new man takes over.

"He comes in with his own ideas and his own plans for the club. He wants to bring his own men and that's his prerogative.

"Maybe he was trying to ruffle a few feathers by what he said. Maybe he was looking to get a positive response out of the guys who were there.

"Sometimes a manager needs to say certain things in order to get a reaction and maybe that's what he was trying to do.

"Did it backfire? Well, I wouldn't like to say."

What a ballbag

I don't think it's right that he said this. However he does have a point as Mowbray was OTT in his public criticism of the players and it backfired. A couple of weeks later it was obvious that he was choosing his words more carefully.

Originally Posted by green_t

That's not the point though Martin. He got his move - to a manager that never played him first time around - so he should keep his damn mouth shut.

If it bothered him that much he should have said something at the time, not months later once he's been ballooned out the door.

Grapes, like, me, to, sour, sounds, arrange how you wish.

I said in my post, in the first sentence, that Killen shouldn't be saying these things.

It's not months later, it's a few days. And Mowbray did booboo with some of his statements.

Originally Posted by green_t

That's not the point though Martin. He got his move - to a manager that never played him first time around - so he should keep his damn mouth shut.

If it bothered him that much he should have said something at the time, not months later once he's been ballooned out the door.

Grapes, like, me, to, sour, sounds, arrange how you wish.

Me like to sour grapes??


Got to agree with most here, Killen was given his chances at celtic under TM, he never took them, and failed to impress. I have no problem with how TM handled thigns earlier on with harsh critiscism of players. Better that way, to be honest with the club, the players and the fans. We all knew the main culprits who werent/arent good enough, and so did TM, they are now making their way out, the main guys who do have real talent will stay, and they are performing better now than they did under WGS (think Hinkel, McGeady, even Boruc). TM was even allowing players to prove themself, players on the fringe, Donati(got his wanted move, and went on his way gracefully, mostly) McGinn, a player WGS would never give a chance to, TM did and he took it.

As GT says, Me like sour grapes. Killen provd he wasnt good enough, and he's now wanting to blame someone else for his poor performances. Funny that it was under TM that he played 'well' at Hibs.

Originally Posted by green_t

It's a couple of months since Mogga made those comments though.

And Mogga sure did make an arse of it, but no need for parting shots. Go, have some dignity, dont come across a being bitter, which Killen is.

I meant a few days after his move, but, yes, it's a couple of months since Mowbray made those comments.

Whether we like it or not players take the hump.

Mowbrays comments contributed to sub standard players like him being punted.

Fuck them if they can't take the deserved criticism, Mowbray was good enough to give him a decent chance and Killen failed miserably.

Now he comes away with shit like this?

He is a cunt

End of story.