Bloemfontein Celtic coach Steve Komphela is looking at the positives heading into the new year after their recent below-par run of results, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.

Celtic recently endured their third straight defeat in the Absa Premiership after suffering a 3-2 defeat to Cape Town City at Cape Town Stadium.

They will finish the year in seventh place in the league standings, with their next game coming against Chippa United on 4 January 2019.

Yet Komphela refuses to be bemoan his woes.

Komphela wants the ‘Almighty to bring him more problems’ as he feels it makes him think sharper and gives him wisdom to get the desired performances from his team.

‘It’s always been tough for me‚ to the extent where [when]I have developed a sense of not feeling any toughness, I prefer it tough because when it gets tough‚ that’s when you learn‚’ he said.

‘You don’t learn when things are easy. Maybe God wants me to be sharper ….. have a hell of a sharp mind ….. by consistently throwing me curved balls.

‘I don’t remember a time when I had it easy. In fact‚ I want things that give me discomfort; I want to be comfortable with discomfort.

‘If things are working well‚ that’s when you relax. You don’t look for alternatives. But when it gets tough‚ you start to think.

‘So‚ 2019 … let it come‚ we’ll see. The only prayer that I would make is‚ “Almighty‚ bring me more problems‚ but also give me more wisdom”.’

Komphela admits that he needs to strengthen his squad, and most importantly the defence after losing the likes of Alfred Ndengane and Lorenzo Gordinho.

‘We’ll see what we’ll do.’

‘I’ve got to be professional with what I say, but also realistic and try and see‚ with what we have‚ how far can we go?

‘I have to try and see if there is a way of dealing with the situation while still chasing our realistic challenges.

‘But it is clear that we need to sort out stuff‚’ Komphela concluded.