Celtic’s latest draw against Motherwell at home on Saturday, adding to their earlier stumbles against St Johnstone and Hibernian, has stirred a tide of frustration among fans.
It’s easy to point fingers, and Brendan Rodgers, the man at the helm, has become a convenient scapegoat for many. But is this criticism really fair?
It’s essential to acknowledge that football is a game of chances, and Celtic had no shortage of those. The build-up play orchestrated by Rodgers was evident, creating opportunities that, on another day, could have swung the game in Celtic’s favour. The missed penalty by Palma and Joe Hart’s less-than-stellar moment at the corner that led to Motherwell’s goal were individual errors, not coaching failures.
Critics were quick to question Rodgers’ decision to substitute Kyogo and Palma while chasing a goal. Admittedly, this might not have been his finest tactical move, but the introduction of Turnbull, who successfully converted a penalty, and Mikey Johnston, who added a new dynamic to the attack, were positive steps. Johnston, in particular, showed fearlessness in taking on defenders, and his inability to find space in a crowded box is more a testament to Motherwell’s defensive resolve than a reflection of Rodgers’ tactics. Turnbull added a threat which Celtic didn’t previously have on the pitch with his long-range efforts ability.
The argument that former manager Ange Postecoglou would have secured a win in the same situation undercuts the complexity of the game. It’s worth remembering that Motherwell previously held Celtic to a draw at Celtic Park under Postecoglou’s management, and Rodgers’ own record includes a dramatic last-minute win against Motherwell earlier in the season.
Motherwell’s time-wasting tactics were indeed frustrating and impacted the rhythm of the game. It was definitely a factor in Celtic being unable to find a flow to the game, and the referee should’ve really put an end to their timewasting.
Rodgers has spoken about the need for more quality and experience in the team. Without the board’s backing to bring in such players, expecting consistent high-level performances might be unrealistic. Change takes time, and the journey to building a strong, cohesive team is often marked by such bumps.
While the disappointment of some results is understandable, the criticism of Brendan Rodgers seems more like a knee-jerk reaction than a fair assessment. Celtic are still unbeaten in the league this season.
