BRENDAN RODGERS, after yesterday dismal 2-1 defeat at Rugby Park was asked if the current form slump at Celtic was his biggest challenge so far in the job.“It is. It’s a challenge. We have to accept that. There’s no doubt we need to be better.
“When you’re at the biggest clubs and you don’t win the heat comes onto you.
“That’s when you show you’re a Celtic player, manager or member of staff. You come together. When you lose games the spotlight will always be on you.
“You need to do the basics right. The basics cost us this time. We’re the only ones who can make it better and get more consistent results.
“The start has been very bitty but we have to go away and see where we can be better.”
Here’s what Brendan had to say…
???? Brendan Rodgers speaks to @CelticTV after today’s defeat in Kilmarnock. #KILCEL #SPFL pic.twitter.com/8Zr2rYH2lv
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) September 23, 2018
Social media and fans WhatsApp groups were full of rumours and theories – one bus organiser claiming his source came from a background staff member of a recent Celtic opponent who overheard something from the Celtic changing room – all rather bizarre.
It’s not only Brendan and the players who need to get a grip, the fans do too, judging by all of this last night.
Celtic are one point behind Rangers and are in a pack of clubs just behind leaders Hearts. Two wins since losing at Celtic Park worked wonders for Steven Gerrard’s league position – and Celtic now need to start putting a winning run together.
So what are the factors in this form slump?
TEAMS HAVE SUSSED CELTIC’S STYLE – After two years of pretty much having it his own way, Brendan Rodgers’ style of play has been sussed – St Mirren lost 3 goals to Hamilton at the weekend but were able to keep a clean sheet against Celtic the previous Friday and we all know how Steve Clarke will set his team up to play against Celtic. On Friday we called for Brendan to play two up front to counter these tactics but it fell on deaf ears.
THE WORLD CUP HANGOVER – Celtic suffered at the start of the season after Scotland last reached a World Cup in 1998 – and we won nothing the next season. This time around we had four players away at the World Cup, three of whom are first team regulars.
Dedryck Boyata’s return from Russia is well documented and had a serious impact on our season – effectively costing us a Champions League place. Tom Rogic has looked jaded and ineffective and Michael Lustig looks bang average and out of form. These to look like they need a break.
THE TRANSFER WINDOW SHAMBLES – It should be behind us and we should be able to get on with the job in hand but their remains a lingering bad smell from the failure of Celtic to recruit the targeted players in the summer.
Of course this could go back to the January window with the recruitment of duds like Marvin Compper and Charly Musonda.
There was a tweet yesterday where someone asked ‘what’s the weirdest thing anyone’s randomly bought?’ and credit to West Belfast Tim who immediately fired back with Marvin Compper!
Marvin Compper https://t.co/fXimdVDD7h
— ????West Belfast Tim ???????? (@sadlier1986) September 22, 2018
WHERE TO WE GO FROM HERE? We get behind the team, with two important but very winnable games this week at St Johnstone – who lost 5 goals at Ibrox yesterday – in the League Cup and then Aberdeen in the league at Paradise on Saturday.
Brendan, his staff and the players should have a heart to heart meeting and get all cards on the table to sort it out at their end. When Brendan walked in the door he said he was there to be ‘a leader of men and a leader of a people’ – now is the chance to demonstrate that.
Just before Brendan was appointed I organised three Lisbon Lions to attend our supporters bus’ anniversary dinner. The Lions – the late Tommy Gemmell, John Hughes and Charlie Gallagher – took part in a Q&A and were bemoaning the football being played by Ronny Deila’s side. Charlie Gallagher said he didn’t think much of the football on offer at that time as he was ‘a fan of the forward pass’ – think about it…
