Brendan Rodgers has opened up on the huge challenge that he is facing at Celtic.
The hoops have failed to score in six of their 14 matches this season and are five points off the pace in the SPFL Premiership and Europa League.
A horrific transfer window fuelled the disconnect with fans. From that the Fans Collective has been formed resulting in protests taking place at four of the last six matches.
DISCONNECT
Rodgers has a contract until the end of this season and is now facing the most demanding period of his time in charge of Scotland’s most successful club.
Every area of the club looks tired and jaded. Importantly that is the case of the pitch as well. Despite having 80% possession at Dundee on Sunday Celtic barely threatened and lost 2-0.
The next 10 days will be critical to how the season shapes up. After Sturm Graz on Thursday night Celtic travel to league leaders Hearts, host Falkirk then face a League Cup semi-final at Hampden.
That run of fixtures would be daunting at any time, with the mood around Celtic at the moment the task is amplified.
Rodgers knows what he is facing as he explained at today’s media conference. 6 minutes 40 seconds.
QUESTION: Just considering everything you mentioned there about what you’re trying to achieve and get those solutions, doing that at a club like Celtic, at the moment when tensions are high everywhere, how tough has that been for you in terms of your managerial career and everything you’ve had to go through? Where does this point as a coach rank for you in terms of toughness?
It’s clearly a huge challenge, because it’s not just on the field, it’s off the field. I want this club, I love this club, I want this to be the best it possibly can be. It’s not the face I want us to show what we’ve seen at the weekend, both off the pitch and on the pitch. That isn’t what Celtic is about for me. But whilst we’re trying to find it, as a coach, that’s the constant challenge.
It’s not meant to be easy. It’s not all about winning trebles and doubles and all. You have to stand up and fight, or else it’s over. That’s not clearly what we want. We’re a club that’s a huge institution. We’ve got a remarkable history, and I’m very privileged to manage it in this tough moment. It is tough, absolutely. I need to stand up and really lead and see where we can improve.
Daizen Maeda will miss the match against Sturm Graz but after two months out Alastair Johnston is expected to be involved again.
Anything less than a win against Sturm Graz will leave Celtic struggling to progress in the Europa League. Next up in the competition is away matches at Midtjylland and Feyernoord.
No Forrest after bottling out of another tackle on su day tharmt should have put us 3down we had no right back yesterday he jumped out off a challengen not good for the team o heart he has done it all his careerer thats why e is not a legend by Celtic supporters
WTF was that meant to be jack.its gibberish,I’m afraid.
Can’t argue with anything he says there…
But he certainly could help himself with a chance of tactics once in a fuckin century !!!