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Lakay backs Middendorp

Cape Town - Lyle Lakay believes it is only a matter of time before head coach Ernst Middendorp steers Bloemfontein Celtic back to winning ways.

Read: Pressure nothing new for Middendorp

The German mentor is under-fire following a slow start to the new season, with Phunya Sele Sele sitting in an unfamiliar 14th place, and were knocked out of the first rounds of both the MTN8 and Telkom Knockout.

Lakay has admitted that facing top sides such as Bidvest Wits, Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates so early has contributed to their poor form in this campaign.

"Of course the guys are down and everything but the training has been good and the players are trying to lift each other up," the Celtic winger told Goal.

"From my side, just on the Sundowns game, I think it was just small errors and the lack of finishing upfront. We scored just two goals in the last three games, so I think it's just the finishing and small errors that’s costing us.

"I think against Chiefs we conceded towards the end of the game, against Pirates we had to win the game, and then against Sundowns it was an error.

"So, I don't think playing the big teams early on contributed to our dip in form, because I think out of those three games, we could have won except for the Sundowns game which was a bit different."

The former SuperSport United player added that he was unaware of Middendorp's situation at the club, with reports suggesting that the coach is on the verge of being dismissed.

"As players, we don't know much about what's happening (with Middendorp's future), but as long as he's still here, we are still working because he is still our coach and we still have to do what he wants us to do," he continued.

"He's a German coach so when Germany won the (FIFA) World Cup he was walking around smiling, also when Bayern (Munich) won the Champions League, but with his (German) tactics we've played the same style as last season and it worked for us last season. So, I think what he brings to the team is good.

"The guys in the team enjoy his craziness at training, he jokes around and always tries to keep a good environment in the team."

Celtic have only managed to secure one win so far in the league and have only six points on the board from their seven matches.

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