Dejected Dundee United goalkeeper Radoslaw Cierzniak shouldered the blame for Saturday’s disappointing defeat to Aberdeen but insists the team can bounce back by beating champions Celtic next time out.
The Dons ran out comfortable 2-0 winners at Tannadice to draw level on points with their hosts in the Premiership table, and Cierzniak admitted he was at fault as Adam Rooney fired a double which brought the home side’s unbeaten record this term to an end.
The Polish shot-stopper failed to hold David Goodwillie’s innocuous-looking header for the opener, with Rooney on hand to give the Dons the lead with the rebound.
But while Cierzniak conceded he could have done better with the first goal, he maintains United can get their title challenge back on track with victory against the league leaders on Sunday.
“Of course there were a few simple mistakes before it but the main mistake was mine and I have to blame myself,” he told The Courier.
“Everybody makes mistakes and it’s a shame because it was a great atmosphere and so many people came to watch the game expecting us to beat Aberdeen.
“So I would like to say sorry to the fans for that.
“It was a big, big present for Aberdeen and the goal changed everything for us.
“It was a big, big mistake that’s it.
“I’m not a person who looks for excuses so I’d like to say sorry to our fans, but we are very hungry to win next week.
“Next week will be hard work for the whole team but I believe we can beat Celtic at home.
“I would like to invite the fans to come along and I’m sure we’ll play very good football.
“Celtic have good quality but they are not the same team they were three or four years ago, and I think in the end everybody in the dressing room will be thinking about the three points.”
The manner of United’s loss was perhaps worsened when it emerged they had missed the chance to move into second spot following Inverness’ shock defeat to Partick Thistle, although Cierzniak was not dwelling on that fact too much.
“I always try thinking only about us, not Inverness or any other teams,” he added.
“We have to be switched on every game and play very good football this is our target.
“If we play good football in every game, and sometimes you lose, then you can accept it.
“But I can’t accept how we played against Aberdeen.
“Of course we created some chances and if we score first then it’s a different game.”
The result put a dampener on the team’s Christmas festivities in Dublin on Saturday night, although United boss Jackie McNamara will be keen to get the players back into training to prepare for this weekend’s visit of Ronny Deila’s side.
“We’re obviously disappointed,” said the United manager.
“It’s three points, in the same way that Aberdeen were disappointed when we beat them at the start of the season.
“They are a good side and if you give them opportunities they’ll take it and grow in confidence.
“My big disappointment is us losing our home record, and we’ve got a tough test against Celtic now in which we’ll need to defend set pieces better.”