Orlando Pirates were outplayed, complacent and never stuck to their gameplan in their 1-0 Absa Premiership defeat against Bloemfontein Celtic at Free State Stadium on Wednesday night, said Bucs coach Eric Tinkler.

Celtic coach Clinton Larsen took a big gamble resting most of his frontline players ahead of his side's second leg of their MTN8 semifinal against Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium on Saturday, which is delicately poised at 1-1 from the first leg. Just Geofrey Massa and Lyle Lakay survived from Phunya Sele Sele's 1-1 PSL draw at home to Platinum Stars on Sunday.

Larsen's second-stringers stunned a lethargic Pirates with an energetic performance, profiting from Vuyani Ntanga's 75th-minute headed winner.

"I think Celtic ended up deserved winners if I had to be entirely honest," Tinkler said. "They showed a lot more urgency and energy.

"We didn't track the midfield runners. Oupa Manyisa and Issa Sarr found themselves on many occasions outnumbered."

The Bucs coach said there might have been an element of complacency in the defeat.

"And I warned the players before the game. I used the example of Polokwane City, who lost 3-0 last week against Pretoria University, and got a draw [on Tuesday night] against Kaizer Chiefs.

"Then there's Mamelodi Sundowns, playing against 10-men Black Aces and losing 1-0. That's a big problem we have in our league, complacency."

Larsen showed he can make brave decisions, with an eye on the semifinal.

"We took a huge gamble," Larsen said. "Now I can sit here and say it paid off - it could have easily gone south.

"Chiefs have played the same team from the start of season. And it's got to catch up to you at some point. We're hoping it's on Saturday. Hopefully in the second leg, with a fresh team, we'll give ourselves a big chance to put a very competitive performance forward."