Brendan Rodgers has repeated his defence of Celtic’s current unbeaten run.
Last week the Irishman was dismissing outside criticism by highlighting eight wins and a draw in nine matches as evidence that all was well.
Saturday’s 1-1 draw at home to Kilmarnock resulted in Celtic finishing the weekend in second place in the SPFL Premiership with fans dismayed at the performance and throwing away another winning position against Kilmarnock.
At the draw with Kilmarnock the fans were critical of the Board of Directors and Chairman Peter Lawwell in particular but a growing number are questioning the influence of Rodgers with a 10 point swing in the Premiership table since the start of December.
? LISTEN: “We’ve had eight wins and two draws and it feels like eight losses and two draws.”
? Brendan Rodgers says the title is still in Celtic’s hands.
2?? The defending champions currently trail Rangers by two points and travel to Motherwell on Sunday. pic.twitter.com/29DzAajlNH
— Clyde 1 Superscoreboard (@ClydeSSB) February 23, 2024
Starting at Motherwell on Sunday Celtic face three matches in eight days where full points will be required if the team is to stem the criticism.
Drawing matches to remain unbeaten might be a decent stat but it is only wins that are required as Celtic find themselves in the unusual situation of being behind in the race for a third successive SPFL title.
Last week the Daily Record reported Rodgers saying:
I understand in this city that the two teams can’t be doing well. When I was in Liverpool, Liverpool and Everton could be doing well at the same time but that can’t happen here.
One has to be pushed down. And for us, it is us because we are at the top. We slipped up in early December but that narrative has continued right the way through even though the players have won eight games, some tough games and drawn one game.
I can’t control that but what I can control is the mindset and attitude of the team and knowing over this next period of games we will be really focused, aggressive and attack the game. What everybody else says, writes, I couldn’t care less.
e.
Dear, oh dear. Perhaps it really needs a blunt explanatiion.
The team is playing with no steel, no focus, no direction and no heart except for Big Joe Hart who’s actually kept us in some of the recent games.
It seems like 8 losses due to the sheer lack of quality and all that utter shite of playing (starting for example with Big Joe) forward, square, square, 3 steps forward and intae reverse, back tae Big Joe…….you get the idea. This is Celtic Football Club and you don’t get away with that shite here. Got it Brendan? And I was one of those who reasoned you were the best of 3 on offer and welcomed you back. I’m having serious misgivings now.
Clear enough? Let’s, FFS, see a performance on Sunday and then kick on from there until the end of the season.
“When I was in Liverpool… ”
Is that proof right there that BR himself has lost his own focus?!
We don’t give a monkey’s about another team.
Just tell us how you’re going to manage our team to retain the SPL title.
How are YOU going to change your approach?
That’s a really poor response from BR, imo, and an out of character / strange slip up.
It comes across as:
because he managed at a big EPL club, we can’t criticise him now…?!
Losing respect for Rodgers, he knows full well why fans are unhappy but he is trying to spin things. Celtic are appalling to watch and it is his game plans and tactics that fans have to suffer through every weekend. I’d be happier with any other manager that had some fire and passion. Rodgers looks a seen it all, done it all, don’t care type now.
Well Mr Fraudgers – Just win 12 games in a row and we will re-evaluate you and put you forward for nominations that will be President esque !
Keep the current form up and you’ll find things will be the polarised opposite matey !