Absolute shambles, this one is on Brendan Rodgers, as it was last week. Fail to beat Falkirk, and questions will be getting asked about his job. In fact it’s already started…
For the second Sunday on a trot we suffered a defeat to leave us trailing today’s opponent Hearts by eight points, and yet again our players looked totally out of their depth. That is all on one man, and that man is Brendan Rodgers.
Yes the board are just as culpable for the state of our side on the park, but if you’re truthful with yourself, you would know that Brendan Rodgers has more than enough at his disposal to produce better performance and more importantly, results.
He can’t continue to use the board’s gross incompetence to mask his own failings.
Let’s look at the facts shall we. Brendan is the highest paid manager in the league, his players boasts the highest salary in the league, whilst he’s been allowed to spend more money than any of his rival bosses in the premiership.
Despite our injury woes, we still have a side packed with talent and experience. £11 million Arne Engels started the game, along with the just as talented and experienced Reo Hatate and Callum McGregor.
An international goalkeeper in Kasper Schmeichel and international centre back in Liam Scales, international attackers in Sebastian Tounekti, Johnny Kenny and Benjamin Nygren. Our entire side is littered in experience and quality.
Yes we had an inexperienced right back in Colby Donovan, and centre back in Dane Murray, but Brendan could have turned to Marcelo Saracchi an international player who can also play right back, or Anthony Ralston the Scotland right-back and he also had a £6 million international centre back on the bench in Auston Trusty.
Donovan and Murray were predictably targeted by Derek McInnes’ side and Murray was involved in three major blunders that led to the three Hearts goals. He scored the first off his knee, left the second as he thought it was going wide and conceded a penalty while challenging a player running away from goal; all mistakes you could put down to inexperience.
Brendan Rodgers was guilty of today misjudging his replacements for Johnston and Carter-Vickers. If this two played I’ve no doubt we’d have won that match and with a Ralston/ Trusty replacement I’m also sure that those goals would have been avoided.
For Dane Murray that’s going to shatter his confidence, but the blame is more on Rodgers than himself.
Both young players, especially Dane will be having nightmares about today, when it could have been avoided. A powder keg fixture such as Hearts at Tynecastle isn’t the game for inexperienced youngsters. If The Celtic Star could see that then what was Brendan thinking of?
We had more than enough to win the game, likewise at Dens Park last week. No excuses this is on Brendan, and if we fail to beat Falkirk on Wednesday, then the next car you might be talking about is a taxi.
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
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Actually thought after Thursday, that we had and were going to turn things around for ourselves?
Didn’t last long did it.
I don’t know just how much longer we can continue to keep making excuses, for Rodgers decision making, which is totally shite for some amount of time now.
Seen nothing to suggest that Rodgers can get anything from our players on a consistent basis regarding performance and results.
Wondering just how many extra players within our current squad, are looking at joining Maeda and Yang for the exit door?
Trusty, Paulo and Saracchi possibly on that list now, and wouldn’t rule out Hatate, Engels and ralston also imo.
Just how many strikers do we actually have to go through, before we can actually get one to look comfortable in what Rodgers is looking from them?
It certainly won’t be a prolific goal return within the style of football for them to contend with.
For a so called transformational manager, he is becoming true to his word, in his 3rd year. And that’s transforming a team into total shite.
I have suspected for some time now, that to many of our players just aren’t relating to Rodgers ways and instructions.
Getting to the degree that if Rodgers didn’t have the past success and reputation, then you would be starting to question if he even has a clue what he’s doing?
To many excuses getting made for his rank rotten decision making for my liking also.
If we are looking for change, then Rodgers potentially has to be the first casualty, and the whole coaching staff would be best joining him heading for the exit door imo.
Always felt that next Sunday semi, could be the defining match as to whether Rodgers should see out the season for ourselves.
Fail to see how Rodgers survives a defeat next Sunday.
But the question will possibly remain as does a victory mean that this torture has to continue with him in charge?
Still believe that come the next international break, that change will be required, regardless of the result next Sunday. Especially if winning the league is going to be our top priority this season imo.
Hearts played today like we used to. Sharp on the press, willing to play balls in behind and more importantly, drive or cross the ball into our box. Rodger’s tactics dictate that the ball cannot be put into a dangerous area where you may lose it. Maeda is the fastest player in the league. It’s no surprise to me that his peformances this year have been poorer than last. How many times has he had a ball played in behind so he can use his pace this season?