Brendan Rodgers Discussion Thread

He's an overrated fraud that has never came up against a decent hun team. We'd be * if they were putting up 90+ points

 

Cant hide behind i didnt get my players.....the style has went off a cliff. Zero flair..zero urgency. Zero confidence.

We atill have relatively similar spine and a core team of winners who used to play some great football.

But we are *. As I said in match thread

Turgid..stale. boring. No class. No zip.

There is some serious * going down


Happens every 3-4 years..


Massive changes needed.

 

Appalling. Dreadful all over the pitch. Seasoned internationals looking like amateurs, no cohesion, no urgency, predictable patterns of play repeated over and over, no discernable plan b. No change to play regardless of changes to personnel, all wingers, all midfield etc are doing the same things.

All this is not all simply down to the fact the board failed to secure a quality st or rw. This is bad, lazy, uninterested coaching and its getting visibly worse game to game.

Don't know if his sacking can be advocated just yet but if he had anything about him he would hold his hands up and resign. I suspect he hasn't though.

 

A team like Braga has beat us, they are not even that good.

Oh how far we have fallen since the Bayern match.

We are * awful, really awful.

 

Elite manager my *. Should never have been brought back just like lawell. Next.HH

 

17 goals in 12 games

11 of them have came against Thistle, Livi and Falkirk. A championship team and 2 teams promoted in the summer.

 

Love Brendan, can’t argue with what he has done for us. He’s a fantastic manager

But I’m really concerned. Tonight in the after match interview he should be going absolutely mental! Ripping the reff, linesman, fifa, UEFA, the SFA just everyone because of that diss aloud goal, he should be raging

but he just so calmly said, no not had an explanation yet, thought we played well in periods blah blah
The passions gone, it’s been knocked out of him now he’s seeing out his time

 

Sadly I agree 100%

He sounds like someone who feels obligated to stick around to the end of season. I still believe he cares deeply about the club but he sounds flat. Pretty much a reflection of his team

 

Can see he is fed up as much as the fans. Don’t blame him. I can’t remember ever watching us and not being overly arsed when we conceded. Tonight however, I just felt nothing. This shower running us have literally sucked everything out the club.

 

Brendan, how disappointing was that tonight?

Yeah, very frustrating. We started the game well, I felt, in the first 20 minutes. And then once we conceded the goal, the first goal, I felt that Braga were better than us.

We started to chase the ball a little bit, and they were able to play through because of the system. So we didn't finish the half how we would have wanted.

I felt we needed to change it at half-time, so we changed the structure of the team, came out on the front foot really well, had opportunities.

I don't know why the goal wasn't given. It's a real pivot point in the game, we get the goal, one each, and then it builds the confidence again. So I don't know why, and I haven't had an explanation as to why it wasn't given.

We continued to press and the keeper has made a couple of great saves. We couldn't quite get the goal. Of course, at 1-0 when you're chasing, you then concede a disappointing second goal.

Yeah, very frustrating.



How frustrating is it with the decision you are speaking about there? Kelechi Iheanacho looks to have equalised for Celtic, but it doesn't look as though the ball has touched Kelechi's arm. Would you agree with that?



100 per cent. And I can't understand why the referee hasn't asked to go and have a look at it. I think if you're looking at that, again, if you look at it once, twice, and I'm assuming the guys in the VAR will have watched it more than that, because of the time it took. There's absolutely no way from every angle you look at that he's touched it.

So it'* his face, he's gone away and finished it very, very well. And that's a big moment in the game for us.






You said you haven't been given an explanation about it, is that correct?

Yes.

You sought one, trying to speak to the...?

Well, no, not as of yet.

I mean, the referee clearly gives the decision, so do you think it's maybe the case that VAR can't see conclusively, I'm trying to reach some sort of rational explanation for what I think most people see as quite bizarre?

Yeah, well, I think clearly that is what the assumption is, that it's not conclusive. But I think it's very clear that if you watch it, it's a mistake by the referee, and that is why we have the VAR, to overcome that.

I just watched Aberdeen score a penalty, clear handball. Referee's asked to go and have a look, gives the penalty, and they gone 1-0 up. So for us, it was a big moment in the game.

We started the half well, and in fairness to the players, they continued to push to some really good areas, but just a mixture of them making good blocks, us not making the finish, left us frustrated.






Kasper Schmeichel's been such a big player for you since he's come to the club. Has he said anything in the changing room? It looks like he probably should have done better with the opener.

I haven't spoken to him. I think, from looking at it, it looks like the ball is moving, of course. He probably will be disappointed with it.

But yeah, it looks like it's a good strike by the player, and it's obviously moved a little bit. But I haven't spoken to Kasper.

Just more generally, Brendan, it's another game where fans are bemoaning a lack of creativity, and despite Iheanacho's goal being chopped off, a lack of goals in the squad. After the transfer window, is this the club's chickens coming home to roost in that regard?

Well, listen, whatever it is, I need to find the solution to it. Like I said, there have been too many games now where we haven't scored from a team that was... Last year we scored more goals than in the last 54 years of the club's history. So yeah, we're just in a spell now, and it's my responsibility.

I need to somehow find the solutions to that, because we haven't been scoring. We've got into some good areas, and the keepers have made some good saves, but we still need to be more aggressive in our attacking play.

Do you put that down to being a spell, or is it the lack of tools that you have at your disposal

Again, it doesn't really matter what it is, because nothing's going to change in that aspect until at least January.

So I need to find the answers to that.

Just an overview of two games, one point so far. There is plenty to go, but is there an appreciation that you need to kick on in this competition now and start picking up a lot more points?

Well, the next game, we're going to need to win that. That's what's important now.

We obviously pick ourselves up, we've got a very, very important league game here on Sunday. As you say, the next matchday here at home, it's a big game for us.

If we're going to push on in the group, we would have to win that.




You called for fan unity before the game. We saw that being the case, we know the club's reached out to fans. Do you hope we're now coming to the end of this back and forth between supporters and the board?

I think listening and engagement are important, so I think that was great. I thought the support we got tonight was great. It's an early kick-off, and it's a real challenge for a lot of supporters to get here in time for the game, but they did get here and gave us great support throughout the evening. I think I mentioned it the other day, I can only hope that we can find the solution and, like I say, move forward.

Brendan, just to touch on the lack of goals, but particularly in the first half, there was a lack of chances created as well. Is that something that you're mindful of and you're trying to work for next time?

The baseline philosophy that I've always had is to have a really attacking, creative team that plays at speed, with high ball speed and lots of creativity. That's something that we're always searching for.

We need to get to that point again. We have to push in training and we have to analyse the games and where we can be better. It's constant work.

Just a quick one on Sebastian Tounekti tonight. Probably the bright spark in the team, would you say?

Yes, I thought he done very well. He was a real problem for them in the first half.

In the second half, we were having him more pressing on the inside than getting out for the one-versus-ones. He's a really dynamic player, and he's settled into the team really, really well.

He's unfortunate not to score. I thought the goalkeeper made a brilliant save. So yes, I thought he done very well.

We've seen lots of contentious decisions since VAR came in. Is that up there with the worst that you've seen, given the context of where it was and in the game itself? The way the game has switched at that point?

I think the whole nature of VAR is supposedly to help and support the officials on the field. I think when it happened, I didn't think it was a handball.

But it's only really when you see the clarity on the images that it doesn't even go, with the greatest respect, even near to it. It's clearly come up and whether it's in real time or slowed down, it'* his face and he's away. And that's for me what VAR is about, to correct the wrong decision.

So yes, it's a wee bit baffling that he wasn't even asked to come over and look at the screen.

Also, just getting back to Kasper as well. There were a few moments with his distribution that was a bit off tonight as well. Is that a growing concern this season, in terms of his position?

I think the rhythm of the team isn't quite there, of course. And then, I think what is important, you make a mistake in the game, which all players can do, that you don't follow that up with another two or three. Kasper's made some great saves for us.

I think there'll be a couple of ones that we'll analyse with him and look to correct. But yes, it's where we're at. He's a fantastic goalkeeper and has been since he's come in.

Just on Colby coming off at the break tonight, was that a tactical decision or was that to do with his performance?

No, no, just purely tactical. I think the young boy's been great since he's come into the team. I wanted to go take back three and bring the wing back into midfield to give us that box to match their four-versus-four.

It was more a tactical change just to give the team a different structure.

Is that system something you could implement going forward in games?

Yes, yes. I did it when I was first here. I've never had to change the structure so much since I've been here.

Purely because we're having the ball a lot, we're dominating a lot. There's no doubt when the game needs it. It's something I've always done.

The style will always be the same. We always want to play and attack the game. The structure can change. I thought the second half worked for us to a certain extent. The players were flexible enough to do that. We may look at that again.

Just more generally, about eight months ago that night in Munich, you were so excited at that. The prospect of Celtic doing well in the Champions League. How frustrating is it now, eight months down the line, to be sitting here with one point from two Europa League matches?

Clearly, it clearly is. But we can't look back. Especially in my position, it's something that I don't want to turn this into all sorts of of frustration. I have to remain focused on the players that we do have and maximise what I can get from the team. That's my only focus really.

Just a couple of questions on Motherwell. Your thoughts on their start to the season? And just how big a challenge that will be off the back of this match?

They've started well, unbeaten in the league, I believe. I think any game, whether it is home or away, after a European game is always a challenge. We have to make sure our energy and attitude is right in the game. Which we'll do in the next couple of days.

 

People were giving it to Ange for clearly impacting the squad when he was due for the off.

I would argue it is clear with all the little remarks that Rodgers has made he's also clearly for the off, the difference being this is the start of the season and form has totally * collapsed collectively.

He deserves criticism. Both things can be true in that board have failed him and Rodgers is failing to get anything collectively out of this squad

 

If the midfield we have now ,in his third season, is the best he can do, then he should have * of years ago

 

Been dealt a bad hand by the board but this is where he should be proving his worth. Getting this squad of players fired up and giving everything - finding a way to get results.

He will be away at the end of the season and there won’t be any tears shed. Priority needs to be ensuring Nicholson, Lawwell & co are not the ones picking his replacement.

 

The problem is, that we have been needing that from BR since around December last year.

Just 1 win in 10 in Europe (and a very scratchy 1 win it was), 0 in the past 5 against Sevco. Just 2 goals from the past 323 corners taken since Jan 5 is indicative of set pieces being completely squandered at one end, and conceding 19 by oppositions over that same time is entirely indicative of a team underprepared to defend. Oh, and the discipline is getting worse and worse especially in terms of more fouls being given away.

This season there have been just 4 first half goals in 12 games overall (3 of those 4 were in the League Cup), in the Premiership there are currently SIX teams who have scored more than Celtic's 8 (Hearts 15, United 11, Hibs 10, Killie, Livi & M'well 9), and the Bhoys have not scored in 3 of the past 4 home games at CP overall.

Teams have long figured out how to contend with BR's predictable formation and tactics, without a hint of a Plan B. The only thing he does is pretty much make subs and hope someone can make something happen. Kairat copied EXACTLY what St Mirren did on opening day and it worked (it would've worked for St M also had it not been for an injury to Jayden Richardson with just a few minutes to go). Tonight, after the first goal Braga took total control, basically having 5 in the MF compared to Celtic's 3, and what change was made at HT? Hook a teenage fullback and play another out of position.

Or when teams do tweak and change things in-game, BR continues to appear either unable to recognise what is happening or what to do about it, apart from making a sub being asked to do the exact same thing anyhow.

 

His football style is pish. Simple really.

 

I'm at least encouraged he's saying he's going to try different solutions and tried a back 3 in the game.

 

He definitely needs to try something different to get us firing..

The back 3 that improved us tonight in the 2nd half, msybe needs perseverance.

 

Hence its an excuse for the board not to give him money.

Regardless of the board being utter utter *..This has made it easier for them to show why the never gave him * all.

But to spend only around 6 million in this window regardless of these signings before....its nothing short of shambolic.

Id rather the Board suffocated out and Rodgers now leave....

Along with players like Engels/Hatate/Maeda/Bern/Forrest/Kenny/Scales/Kasper.....even KT

 

Just a few weeks ago when the window was closing the chat was he should walk he had been shafted by the board and left with * we then compounded that further by not signing a striker on deadline day and had to go back to the managers phone book for a free transfer of a guy who was posting videos of himself in a public park in an effort to prove fitness.

What has changed in those weeks since the window closed ? The * we were left with are playing how we all thought they would. I see folk saying he needs to change it and he did change it second half tonight and we had more of the play but still couldn't create a chance barring the goal that was chopped off.

This isn't me saying im enjoying the football just now because we are an absolute chore to watch but the flip side of it is if Rodgers left tonight you could appoint any manager in the world and still have the exact same issues in the squad.

Our forward options are made up of guys who don't want to be here, over the hill players and players simply not good enough