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The fall guys from Celtic’s defeat to Zenit

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Football is the most brutal business with last night’s Europa League defeat from Zenit St Petersburg a significant night for Celtic.

Losing is part and parcel of the game but there is an expectation that a team will at least compete and play to the best of it’s ability.

In Russia last night, not for the first time on the continent Celtic froze. The players looked overawed and lacking belief that they can compete at that level.

Brendan Rodgers was blunt in his assessment, claiming that players lacked courage and highlighted the way that goals were given away.

All three goals were certainly preventable, there was nothing like the high level of skill involved in Callum McGregor’s goal in the first leg.

From the day that he arrived at Celtic there has been an expectation that players will be moved on.

The summer will be Rodgers’ fifth transfer window since taking over from Ronny Deila, by the end of it the squad that he inherited will be in the minority with no room for sentiment when it comes to delivering success.

JOZO SIMUNOVIC

Big things were expected after his signing from Dinamo Zagreb but for whatever reasons it hasn’t worked out in Europe.

The constant changes to defence hasn’t helped but particularly in his position he needs to step up and impose himself on games. In his third season it is difficult to identify what the real strength of his game is.

Marvin Compper and Jack Hendry have recently bee brought in by Brendan Rodgers, a commanding centre half is likely to be a priority in the summer, part funded by whatever can be raised from selling Simunovic.

MIKAEL LUSTIG

It is sad to see a popular player decline in front of your eyes but almost on a weekly basis Lustig has been in decline.

A year ago he was in a great run of form after sharing right-back duties with Cristian Gamboa, this season’s version is barely recognisable.

After six years at Celtic it looks like we’ve probably seen the best of Lustig, he has been written off before because of injuries but this time it is all down to performances.

With a World Cup coming up it is hard to see the 31-year-old coming back stronger next season.

DORUS DE VRIES

Getting the right back up keeper is a very difficult task but on his Celtic displays to date the Dutchman doesn’t have the ability to play at this level.

Last season’s match against Barcelona was always going to be a difficult task to get over but at 37 years of age it’s not going to get any better for the Dutchman.

A return to the English championship in the summer wouldn’t be a surprise, a top class keeper should be a priority with Craig Gordon the type of back-up needed if Celtic are to advance.

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