Brendan Rodgers makes ‘better team’ admission as Rangers result sparks Celtic home truths over performance

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Brendan Rodgers was not a happy manager as the Celtic boss sent some home truths to his players after they capitulated against Rangers at Ibrox.

Celtic had the chance to really turn the screw on their Glasgow rivals but too many Hoops players failed to turn up as Rangers dealt out a 3-0 defeat.

The Hoops started off brightly as Daizen Maeda offered a threat on the left-hand side in the first few minutes but, in truth, that was all Celtic could muster as Rangers imposed themselves on Rodgers‘ team.

And the Celtic boss was not best pleased.

Brendan Rodgers rues Celtic giving ‘the stadium a lift’ during Rangers defeat

The Celtic boss was clear that he wanted to try and silence the stadium and for his team to impose themselves on Rangers.

That didn’t happen and Rodgers wasn’t shy in telling his players that.

Rodgers told BBC Radio Scotland, “Yeah, it wasn’t a very good performance. I thought that we made too many mistakes, especially in the first half with the ball.

“That just invited pressure when we had no need. We started the game, okay, first three, four minutes, but then we trap ourselves in too many areas that we spoke before about not to.

“So we give away the ball for the first goal, and the young guy finishes it well, and then from that 1-0, that gives them a lift in the game, gives the stadium a lift. And I just thought Rangers were the better team today.”

Brendan Rodgers highlights was was ‘very unlike’ Celtic after Rangers defeat

“We lacked an edge in our game with the ball and without the ball and that has been very unlike us,” continued Rodgers.

“We weren’t aggressive enough without the ball. You know, there’s too many duels and too many moments where they could then break out of pressure. So our counter-press wasn’t as good as what it normally is.

“And then with the ball it was a bit too slow. We never created anywhere near the possibilities that we normally do. So all in all, the game today is a disappointment.

“The bigger picture, it’s 19, games. We’re halfway through the season, we’re 11 points clear. I’m not sure whether that 14 points took away edge off. It shouldn’t but maybe subconsciously, it can do but overall we didn’t play well today. Rangers deserve to win and now we get ready for the for the weekend.”

Celtic now have to pick themselves up ahead of Sunday’s home game against St Mirren. Even though an 11-point gap still separates the Bhoys from Rangers, Rodgers will not want to offer the Ibrox club any kind of encouragement.

With half of the season gone, there won’t be any panic from Celtic or the supporters but another performance like the one fans witnessed at Ibrox cannot be allowed to happen again.

Rodgers needs to take a good look at a couple of his squad who are simply not performing and make a big call on whether or not they get the nod against Steven Robinson’s men at Celtic Park.