Portsmouth manager Steve Cotterill is refusing to hide behind the lack of numbers in his squad.

Cotterill could name only four substitutes – all youngsters – and had a number of players operating out of position in Saturday’s defeat at Preston.

He said: “The lack of players we have means we can’t change things when we want to.

“We have an abundance of central midfielders but a lack of defenders, wide players and forwards. It’s hard to address all of those issues. You’re plugging holes.

“This season I’ve played Marc Wilson in central defence, as a holding midfielder and now as an attacking midfielder. In his defence he probably doesn’t know whether he’s coming or going.

“We have to work really hard to get out of where we are – and we’re unhappy with where we are. I’m not going to hide behind the problems. I’m going to deal with them.”

Daniel Majstorovic is fully prepared for the demands of playing for Celtic and has vowed to wrest the title back from Old Firm rivals Rangers.

The Sweden defender was unveiled at Celtic Park on Monday after completing his move from AEK Athens, who were unable to keep financing his salary.

The 33-year-old has immediately realised the importance of preventing Rangers claiming a third successive SPL title.

And Neil Lennon’s eighth summer signing believes his two-year spell in Greece has given him the ideal grounding in dealing with the expectations of fans.

AEK Athens coach Dusan Bajevic was attacked by his own supporters after his team lost a pre-season friendly at Kallithea this month so Majstorovic is unlikely to be fazed by the demands of playing in the Old Firm arena.

“Expectations are always high at big clubs, especially from the fans and the media,” the Swede said. “This is part of the job and you have to handle it. The derbies between Panathinaikos, AEK Athens, Olympiakos are the same, it’s high pressure.

“The fans are really, really crazy. Over there it’s not football, it is really a religion. I’m used to this kind of pressure and I’m looking forward to it.

“Big clubs always have big pressure. You need to get used to it and handle it. The people who can’t handle it are not ready to play for a big club.”

Majstorovic, whose former clubs include Malmo, FC Twente and Basle, knows that Celtic fans demand the championship and the imposing centre-back is determined to deliver.

“First of all they will see a player who always gives 100% on the field,” he said. “To take back the title for Celtic is the most important thing.”

The Swede must dislodge either Glenn Loovens or Jos Hooiveld from central defence but he has not left Athens to sit on the bench and he could play in Thursday’s Europa League play-off first leg against Utrecht at Celtic Park if Lennon chooses him as his one available addition to his registered 25-man squad.

Majstorovic said: “Hopefully I will be part of the team. I’m really looking forward to being part of the team as quickly as possible.

“Wherever I have been, I was playing and I was an important player for the team.

“I tried to be a leader in the team and I will do the same here. It is a big club with winners in all the positions but I’m still very, very hungry even though I’m 33.”

Majstorovic completed his move to Celtic seven days after the club first expressed their interest and he is eager to seize his opportunity.

He added: “Last week I was focused for the season coming up with AEK Athens. We played very well in pre-season.

“I wasn’t thinking about this but when you have an opportunity to be part of this massive club with fans all over the world and with a great reputation in Europe, then all the players who have this chance would be proud. I’m here and I’m very happy.

“I’m a winner and I want to be part of the team to take back the title. This club should always be looking to win the title. I’m very hungry.”

Andy Webster can see some light at the end of the tunnel in his Rangers career after taking a central role during the pre-season preparations.

The 28-year-old has only made one competitive appearance for Rangers since his arrival, initially on loan from Wigan, in January 2007.

Suffering a knee injury in his first training session set the tone for the following years, with the only bright spot a goalscoring debut against Gretna in September 2007.

A loan spell at Bristol City failed to kick-start his Ibrox career as he struggled to establish himself in Walter Smith’s plans after recovering from a string of injuries.

But his fortunes were rejuvenated in glorious fashion last season as a loan spell at Dundee United helped him return to the Scotland fold and win a Scottish Cup winner’s medal.

The former Hearts defender has started all three pre-season matches Rangers have played so far to give him encouragement that his Ibrox career is finally lifting off.

“Having done all of the hard work in pre-season, it has been nice to be involved when the games have come around,” Webster told www.rangersfc.co.uk.

“I hope this is me finally getting there now. Everything that has gone on before is in the past and I’m looking forwards and making sure I’m ready for the start of the campaign.

“At this stage, it’s all about getting a level of fitness and with the squad we’ve got, a lot of the boys have played in the majority of the games so far.

“The more you play and the more involved you become, the more comfortable you then get with your surroundings and I’m happy to be in the side at the moment.”

Webster has lined up alongside David Weir in central defence, with Madjid Bougherra moved out to right-back when Rangers beat Blackburn in their first Sydney Festival of Football game on Sunday.

The Algeria defender sat out Wednesday’s rain-lashed goalless draw against the hosts with a minor knock but he will return as Rangers face AEK Athens in their final game tomorrow.

Kenny Miller will also feature despite continuing to suffer pain from shin splints.

Smith said: “Madjid will be okay. He took a kick on the calf but he has recovered from that and he will play against AEK.

“Kenny has the shin splints issue which is painful but it will only become a worry to us if it becomes chronic, which will mean he will have to miss games.

“However, just now if he gets a couple of days’ rest in between matches then he is okay.

“It doesn’t seem to be painful when he is playing – it’s after the game that he feels it.

“We will give him a bit of a rest when we go home and that should clear things up.”