The real reason Nicolas Kuhn and Jota dropped to the Celtic bench vs Kilmarnock

Add as preferred source on Google

Brendan Rodgers took no prisoners with his Celtic starting XI against Kilmarnock.

Reacting to Celtic’s lacklustre St Johnstone performance, the Hoops boss made four changes to the team that failed to set up a title party against Kilmarnock at Celtic Park yesterday.

Out of the team went Jeffrey Schlupp, Nicolas Kuhn, Auston Trusty and Jota and in came Liam Scales, James Forrest, Adam Idah and Greg Taylor.

And as Rodgers got the reaction that he wanted after Celtic destroyed Kilmarnock, speaking pre-match, the Celtic manager explained why he decided to wield the axe to four of his top players this season.

• READ MORE: Brendan Rodgers’ class answer when asked if Celtic boss will watch Aberdeen vs Rangers game

Brendan Rodgers wants ‘desire and mentality’ in his Celtic team

With Rodgers making four changes to his Celtic team, the Hoops boss has explained that the performance against St Johnstone had a huge bearing on his Hoops starting XI vs Kilmarnock.

Rodgers told BBC Radio Scotland, “Listen, it was, it was a disappointing result and performance. So, we’ve had a good week’s training, and we need to produce that winning attitude and quality that we produce for a lot of the seasons.

“So, yeah, so we hope to bring that desire and mentality to the game.”

Brendan Rodgers explains why Adam Idah started for Celtic vs Kilmarnock

When pressed on the changes, Rodgers was asked if his decision was based on the individual players’ mentality, but the Celtic boss refused to pin that on any specific player.

Rodgers continued, “No, it’s more of, more of a collective. But I also think if you look at the performance we had when we beat Kilmarnock 5-0 last season, we’ve probably only got one player who is not in the team that played that.

“So it’s also part to do with the system and how they they play is very much man to man. So you need players that can come on the inside, roll inside and deal with that situation.

“Obviously, Adam gives us that real reference at the top end of the field that we have to go through or go over to to him.

“Listen, the players that drop out have been quality players for us throughout the season. But, what we need is to bring a different energy and desire to the game.”

With Adam Idah starting, that meant Kuhn and Jota had to drop out as Rodgers was never putting Maeda on the bench due to the Japanese winger’s incredible goalscoring streak.

Celtic will need to wait to be crowned champions after Rangers grabbed a last-gasp draw at Aberdeen after failing to win at Pittodrie for the second game in a row.

With the fourth title in a row almost in the bag, Rodgers now has the chance to bag his third treble as Celtic boss if he can steer the Hoops past St Johnstone in the Scottish Cup semi-final next weekend.