Brendan Rodgers has admitted that there is a lack of harmony around Celtic.
During his first stint in charge, on route to an Invincible Treble, the Irishman spoke of the trinity of supporters, players and management pulling together to produce results on the pitch.
Against Livingston today he Green Brigade will be back inside Celtic Park for the first time since October with their absence highlighting the current disconnect.
Despite having 50,000 plus fans in the stadium there has been a noticeable lack of drive and passion from the stands with Motherwell, St Mirren, Hibs and Hearts supporters chanting about the lack of atmosphere.
On the park there has been a lack of energy and purpose, against Hearts the fans were stirred into life as they revived the SACK THE BOARD chant that hasn’t been heard this century.
The lack of activity and connection between the boardroom and ordinary supporters is one factor, inside the club there is no-one connecting to supporters and feeding back their issues and concerns.
Apart from the AGM and a rota of ‘fan forums’ which appear to be part of a box ticking exercise supporter liaison seems to be solely the remit of John Paul Taylor with the board reluctant to meaningfully engage with their ‘customers’.
Peter Lawwell’s appointment as Chairman last December was kept very low key, that couldn’t be done with the return of Rodgers with the Celtic boss admitting to the Daily Record that there is a different vibe this time around.
I probably felt it from the first day since I came back, whether it was me coming back, or whatever it was. But what I know categorically, is that unless you have that harmony…
If I was ever the cause of that, of course, then that’s something I would look at. Whatever it is, it needs to be together. If not, it’s very difficult to have any success.
We’ve seen it before. We saw it during the covid season when supporters were not in. This is such an emotional club, the team really responds to the support. Normally it’s in a really positive way.
If it’s not quite ticking, then that’s really difficult for a club like Celtic, whether it’s to do with the manager, the board or whatever. We all want a successful, winning team on the field – and that will come from the support. It’s definitely hard to pinpoint the why but it’s definitely felt different.
It seems like an awful lot of emphasis is being put on the return of the Green Brigade today which can be viewed two ways.
Their noise and passion certainly adds an edge to matches but a well paid management team and squad of international players shouldn’t be over reliant on 267 youthful supporters.
This season Celtic haven’t won three games in a row, getting back to winning ways in the four matches before the winter break will do more for morale than anything on the training ground or boardroom.
The lack of atmosphere is the fault of all the supporters who rely on the green brigade to stir it up.
Start it up youselves instead of waiting on the conductor. The way it used to be.
Absolutely correct. A sad indightment on the rest.
Yes your correct to a certain degree,but at the moment there is 11 players on the park and once the game becomes physical no amount of encouragement helps as the team is full of cowards,they should always remember you cannot give more than ?% than is all we are looking for.Many ST holders struggle to pay it but because of there love for the team we make sacrifices
The players on the pitch set the atmosphere poor passing slow build up opposition slowing game down up to celtic players to start high tempo supporters will follow Ridgers is right intensity poor at start hearts scored two goals and defended it but celtic players were to negative in there passing hearts packed the the defence it is like threading a needle but you don’t stop passing cause the ball gets cut out need to believe not be frightened by the support frustration
It’s encouraging for any fans to return to the stadium and support the team.
But let’s not forget: the team was playing mince right up to the GB ban,
and it’s been generally playing mince since then as well. 🙁
The derby win was a notable exception, yet we failed to kick on from that.
The atmosphere – should – be much better today.
But, BR and the team now have to step up and deliver a marked change
in both attitude and tactics – and which will get the crowd buzzing again.
Offft ! – Is he trying to work his ticket…
Is he hinting at disharmony (with daddy Lawwell and sonny Lawwell) –
Is he getting his excuses in early for another bad result…
Whatever – it’s one interesting statement that could be deciphered in several ways –
My biggest gripe is that he gave it to That Fcukin Rancid Daily Record…
But thanks for flagging it up as otherwise I’d certainly never have known anything about it !
Not so much the so called 267 but he is having a crack at the banning, the heavy handed way it was done.
The so called board should get THEIR own house in order laying down rules what the GB should do it’s about time they started backing the manager, but instead of lining their own pockets with our money.
Wonder what the Hearts supporters were singing?
Why Are You So Fockin Quiet, So Fockin Quiet”?