Talk of sacking Brendan is premature, but if we suffer defeat in the Glasgow Derby, then it starts to become a possibility…
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers at full time after the Cinch Scottish Premiership defeat to Hearts at Celtic Park on December 16, 2023.. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Brendan Rodgers has to take his share of the blame for yesterday’s shocker, the same way in which he has to take the blame for last week’s defeat at Rugby Park. But talk of removing him from his position is just sheer madness.
Not only do we have an important couple of games over the Christmas period, we also end the year with a home game against theRangers. To remove the manager at such a crucial stage would be foolish.
Yes, questions have been asked about his tactics and team selection and rightly so, but he’s earned the right to manage this club. He’s proven he can do it before and I’m sure he will do it again.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers is seen at full time during the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Celtic FC and Hearts at Celtic Park on December 16, 2023. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
I was initially against his reappointment, but gave him my full backing like I do with every other man who takes on the Celtic job. He was undoubtedly the most qualified and experienced candidate at the time so you could say it was a wise decision to appoint him.
It looked that way despite a sticky start as he took us to the top of the table with a healthy lead despite not playing to the best of our abilities. It’s all however fell apart at the seams and we looked to have hit the self destruct button. The blame lies solely between Brendan and the players, but ultimately the buck stops with Rodgers, no pun intended! He knows that himself.
Brendan has shown that he can handle the pressure. He’s been there and done it. So he deserves a chance to turn things around. He was not targeted for criticism from the Celtic support yesterday, instead the fans want him to get what he has been calling for and that is quality, experienced signings to raise the standard and settle the younger players so that they can contribute more than they are showing at the moment.
Cameron Carter-Vickers of Celtic is seen at full time during the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Celtic FC and Heart of Midlothian at Celtic Park on December 16, 2023. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Sacking the manager will not solve our problems, but come 30 December it could prove to be a different story. A bad loss in that game could make it very difficult, especially if we fail to beat Livingston and/or Dundee. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.
Brendan will turn this around, I’m pretty sure of that but the plan to play everyone in December should be abandoned now and only the best eleven picked to start.
This looks like being a title race that is going to go all the way to the last few games so we need to be at our strongest and we should be coming back after the split with a) numerous players having left the club either via transfers or loan moves and b) the much needed quality and experienced arrivals ready to contribute.
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
Stephen Kingsley’s free kick heads goal wards for his team’s second goal during the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Celtic FC and Hearts at Celtic Park on December 16, 2023 (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
READ THIS…Sandman’s Definitive Ratings – Celtic v Satan’s Concubines
🔊 LISTEN: “I don’t feel the wheels are coming off the bus.”
🍀 Brendan Rodgers says he is “not surprised” by Celtic’s 2-0 loss at home to Hearts but insists the blame for the defeat is solely with him and his players. pic.twitter.com/jUKC0UR0G0
— Clyde 1 Superscoreboard (@ClydeSSB) December 16, 2023
