Brendan Rodgers admitted that the general feeling after the events at Celtic Park this afternoon is one of disappointment after Celtic’s carelessness during a ten minute spell early in the second half that ultimately gifted Aberdeen a point…
Celtic v Aberdeen – Scottish Premiership – Celtic Park – Reo Hatate scores the first goal of the game during the Scottish Premiership match at Celtic Park on Saturday October 19, 2024. Photo: Jane Barlow
“We are disappointed”
“We are disappointed. We had really good control of the game in the first half and we could have had more goals. We got punished for a really careless period between the 50th and 60th minute. We weren’t aggressive enough in our pressure.
“The way we play because of the compactness and tightness in the team being high means that if you don’t press well then you are always susceptible to that pass in behind. That is what happened and the guy finishes it well.
Celtic v Aberdeen – Scottishl Premiership – Celtic Park Celtic’s Kyogo Furuhashi scores the second goal of the game during the Premiership match at Celtic Park, Saturday on October 19, 2024. Photo Jane Barlow
“The second goal is careless as we give the ball away in a really poor area. That was the frustration and once we get to 2-2 we find our rhythm again and our speed. We had 32-odd shots on goal and a mixture of good defending by them, their ‘keeper making some good saves and blocks meant that we couldn’t find the winner.
It will always feel like a defeat
“Overall, when you don’t win a game, especially at Celtic Park, it will always feel like a defeat but we have to learn from that period in the game because we were careless in it.
Aberdeen captain Graeme Shinnie scores to tie the game 2-2, beating Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel with a deflected goal off Auston Trusty of Celtic. Celtic v Aberdeen, Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park, 19 October 2024 Photo StuartWallace/ Shutterstock
The Celtic manager, speaking post-match to BBC Sportsound, accepted that Aberdeen are a good team who are well coached by Jimmy Thelin.
They are a good team and they are well-coached
“Yes,” Brendan said. “They are a good team and they are well-coached. They had the luxury of having that time with no European football so they could prepare and train and have good energy going into each game once a week. They work it well and we should win the game today there is no doubt about that.
“Once they get the first goal it gives them a bit of belief. We just couldn’t find the killer instinct in the last 15 minutes or so. They are there and it is still very early but they did very well today.
Celtic v Aberdeen – Scottish Premiership – Celtic Park Celtic’s Alistair Johnston left in action during the match at Celtic Park, on Saturday October 19, 2024. Photo Jane Barlow
The Celtic manager, looking ahead to Wednesday night’s Champions League trip to Italy to take on Europa League holders Atlanta admitted that his side cannot afford to switch off and be as careless as they were today.
“We certainly can’t switch off like we did and be as careless with the ball. We have already seen if you don’t have compactness, you don’t have tightness and you are loose with the ball you will get heavily punished in the Champions League. We have already seen that.
Celtic v Aberdeen – Scottish Premiership – Celtic Park Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers applauds the fans after the final whistle in the match at Celtic Park on Saturday October 19, 2024. Photo Jane Barlow
“Games like today coming back we were never going to be perfect with players travelling all around the world. I still expect us to be better and we will be. It always feels bad when you do drop points. I give credit to the team as they kept going and I give credit to Aberdeen as they fought back from being two-nil down.”
Here are the post match interviews with Brendan Rodgers and Celtic captain Callum McGregor…
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The Celtic Star founder and editor David Faulds has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk
Maeda error.similar.to Hatate in previous seasons. We need to play ugly when ahead. Learn how to kill a game. Sick of Rodgers not playing a defensive midfielder
Maeda is making a habit of playing loose balls to the opposition which leads to a goal —-He seems to be right off the boil and should be given a rest . CCV can’t come back soon enough —-We need his steadying influence .
The present centre-back partnership ( with two left-sided centre -backs ) is shaky to say the least .
Having said this , Celtic were denied a Penalty or a goal towards full-time . Duke not only handled the ball but the ball was over the line so Celtic should have been awarded a goal or at least a penalty-kick . Celtic need to tighten-up or ” Grow-up ” before Wednesday night .
Maeda error.similar.to Hatate in previous seasons. We need to play ugly when ahead. Learn how to kill a game. Sick of Rodgers not playing a defensive midfielder
Maeda is making a habit of playing loose balls to the opposition which leads to a goal —-He seems to be right off the boil and should be given a rest . CCV can’t come back soon enough —-We need his steadying influence .
The present centre-back partnership ( with two left-sided centre -backs ) is shaky to say the least .
Having said this , Celtic were denied a Penalty or a goal towards full-time . Duke not only handled the ball but the ball was over the line so Celtic should have been awarded a goal or at least a penalty-kick . Celtic need to tighten-up or ” Grow-up ” before Wednesday night .