Soccer Football - Champions League - Group E - Celtic v Lazio - Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain - October 4, 2023 Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers REUTERS/Russell Cheyne
Sky Sports viewers got a glimpse of the other side of Brendan Rodgers today- after he confronted his comfortable players at half-time.
Celtic put in a nothing first half to trail 1-0 at St Johnstone with the only shot on target coming from David Turnbull.
It was another passive, slow and predictable 45 minutes from the hoops, similar to last week’s draw with Motherwell and the goal-less draws with St Johnstone and Hibs earlier in the campaign.
Mikey Johnston replacing Yang Hyun-jun was the only substitution but the tempo was upped after the break, the ball was forced forward at pace with the Saints defence unable to contain their new look opponents.
Callum McGregor and Matt O’Riley put Celtic in front before a stoppage time goal from James Forrest applied a gloss to the scoreline.
Rodgers wasn’t prepared to overlook or forget the first half with fans watching on telly treated to a very different side of the Celtic boss.
“It’s ambition. Some players want to be too comfortable and just do enough. It’s not enough at this club.” ?
Brendan Rodgers was NOT happy with Celtic’s first half performance ?? pic.twitter.com/2em1FIkrWP
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) December 3, 2023
It was a really good reaction in the second half. It’s probably the angriest I’ve ever been at half time in my career as a manager.
The first half, the intent, we were too comfortable and nowhere near it. The second half was what I would expect. There was a much better energy and tempo to the game.
Callum McGregor was absolutely brilliant in the second half and his goal, which looked like it was coming, sparked the reaction.
It’s ambition. Some players just want to be too comfortable and just do enough, it’s not enough at this club. You have to have that mentality and intensity from that first whistle. But the reaction was really good.
We just can’t drop at this club. The standards are very high and have been set over many years.
On Wednesday Celtic host Hibs in the SPFL before a return to Kilmarnock on Sunday where they lost in the League Cup back in August.
It’s OK to complain about “maintaining standards”,
but if your squad contains players who are simply unable
to maintain those standards, then that sits with BR and the Board.
Like many, I’ve been moaning about Hart – not from the beginning of this
season, but since last season. He’s past his best.
And having Jamesy and Mikey BOTH coming on in a League game just
sums up the state of the squad.
[I’ve only highlighted these 3 as an example.]
And yes, we have injuries, but EVERY club has injury / suspension crises
during a long season.
Standards were dropped during the summer transfer window, IMO,
and we have been seeing the results of that mistake so far this season. 🙁
Aye but naw but……. we seriously miss Reo and Daizen. Liel can change a game pronto.
One orchestrates play and the other scares the opposition’s defence into errors whilst tracking back and challenging to regain possession. All 3 can score goals. BIG loss.
It’s not possible to blame Brendan in either case, nor indeed Lawwell, but I’ll blame the latter, fat, tory baztard anyway as ALL our ills are generated by him, bar none.
And in relation to the GB I say to the aforesaid, fat, tory baztard BAR NONE.
Resign instead, you’ve got almost the full backing of our supporters for that.
In FACT, it’ll garner support you could only dream about, you fat, tory baztard.
If your team style is pass to the guy next to you then it instills laziness.
Mickey Johnston is probably the most naturally gifted player at Celtic Park but he will never learn. Case in point, the time he easily beat two defenders and while three teammates were waiting in better positions he blasted it over the bar. I believe McGregor had a word with him.
Too late to change now.
Good that Brendan blasted them as sometimes I think he’s too soft but good to see that other side to him !