Our midfield was once again all over the place. I have consistently brought this up since the start of the season yet our manager still hasn’t found the fix for this underperforming area.
Inheanacho is one of the very few players who looks like he’s giving his all and able to make an impact. Tounetki is another. Players trying to make something happen. I think we have to end the Daizen Maeda out right experiment as he’s completely ineffective in that role. But who do we have to replace him? Most likely it will have to be James Forrest as Yang’s head and heart can be found around Birmingham somewhere and Balikwisha has looked completely out of his depth since he arrived.
Dane Murray’s clearance is deflected past Kasper Schmeichel during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD2 match between Celtic FC and SC Braga at Celtic Park on October 02, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
If we are totally honest this decline has been pretty steady since February when we cruelly went out of the Champions League to Bayern Munich. Since then we have struggled in all our big matches, failing to beat theRangers in three attempts. Losing the Scottish Cup Final against a poor Aberdeen team. Embarrassing ourselves against Kairat Almaty. Last night’s turgid performance just added to the list.
The downward spiral doesn’t look like it’s stopping anytime soon. At this moment in time it’s almost impossible to see how we stop the slide and turn this around and that’s the worrying part.
Although things are looking up in regards to getting answers from the board with a meeting planned for Monday, the board aren’t going to help us out of this mess. If they didn’t back Rodgers with money in the summer there’s absolutely no way they are going to open the cheque book to him in January, not when they know he will be off in a few months. And whatever sound bites our manager has been revealing recently about no contract offer and that he would certainly think about it if he had one, he won’t be here next season. Not a chance.
Brendan Rodgers, Manager of Celtic, looks on prior to the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD2 match between Celtic FC and SC Braga at Celtic Park on October 02, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Rodgers is smart. He sees the decline in this team and knows it’s not suddenly going to get better in the summer. This current team has run it’s course and quite significant work will need to be done to inject life into it next season and it won’t be under our current manager.
In regards to the rest of this season however we are going to have a real battle on our hands to even remain on top domestically never mind in Europe. The players need to dig in. They need to stand up and fight for every point, even if that means grinding out results at times. I hate writing negative articles but I’m sure I’m not the only one who is prepared for a bumpy ride this season.
Ricardo Horta of Sporting Braga celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD2 match between Celtic FC and SC Braga at Celtic Park on October 02, 2025.(Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
I stated in my last article that if we fail to beat Braga some players will be wishing we were having a silent protest as it’s better than hearing the moans and groans from the stands. If we fail to beat Motherwell then Celtic Park could suddenly be sounding an awful lot like Ibrox.
Conall McGinty
Readers of The Celtic Star and indeed all Celtic supporters joining the Celtic Pools Weekly Lottery and paying by direct debit will be able to claim a free stadium tour worth £18.50. This promotion will run from now until the 20th October 2025. Click on image to join.
I have to totally agree .
Watching the “KEEPER ‘“ is like waiting for a heart attack
He has been close to giving a goal away on numerous occasions.
However, the whole team has been poor .
Something is wrong within the club from top downwards .
If BRENDAN stays within this set up then he is a MUG !
I dont believe he is that !!
Wholesale changes in EVERYTHING are required .
This board have managed , in a few months , to make us a laughing stock in Europe
It has been clear to me and others that Brendan’s loyalty to Calmac has resulted in the pedestrian style of play we have witnessed this season.
A great player in decline is sad to watch.
As captain and fulcrum of the team he has no hiding place.
The break is an opportunity to reset and go on to another treble.
We have young players who need the opportunity to prove they are capable of bringing more success.
Sinisalo needs a run
.Schmeichel like Calmac in decline.Not just on Thurs evening.
Hail Hail.
Surely Brendan tactics part of reason for obvious decline recently?!