Celtic captain Scott Brown’s “robots” quote must be remembered

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Celtic’s 2-2 draw at Livingston is bound to have some supporters frustrated.

After all, there aren’t many things more annoying than seeing a 100% record end like our post-winter domestic run has. It’s also understandable to be a tad frustrated after seeing Rangers lose 1-0 to Hamilton and thinking that we missed a real chance.

However, whilst that’s all fair enough, there really isn’t any scope to have a go at these players after last night. And that’s including those who made the individual mistakes.

Fraser Forster dropped a clanger at 1-0 to allow Livingston a simple equaliser through Jon Guthrie. Christopher Jullien then committed to a pretty needless challenge that allowed Lyndon Dykes to dance around him and set up the second for Scott Robinson. Both men will have taken stick from those mistakes.

However, it’s vital to remember what our captain said in the build-up to the game. He was talking about player consistently, and in such timely fashion, he made the following remark via the Daily Record:

“Football is based on everyone making a mistake now and then. We’re not robots, we’re not perfect. It’s football, you’re not going to win every game and get everything the way you want it.

“You have to work hard and sometimes somebody is going to score a goal or take a chance and beat you. It’s all about how you bounce back, that’s what makes strong mentalities and that’s what a lot of these lads have got.”

A mistake can be forgiven

Celtic can be let off for slipping up domestically for the first time in 12 games. It wasn’t even a defeat either, so that also has to be taken into account.

Let’s look at both of the individuals who made those mistakes last night too – starting with Forster. Yes, the same Forster who made a host of stunning stops to help us top the Europa League group and secure some fine wins and nights to remember. The same Forster who single-handedly won us the Betfred Cup against Rangers.

It’s one of his only mistakes this season. It was surprising and disappointing to see, but the last thing the big man deserves is a substantial period of criticism for it.

Then you have the Jullien mistake. BBC pundit Tam McManus said last night that Jullien was having a “shocker” and that Dykes was giving him “a doing“. Those who are of that mindset have selective memory.

For the first 45, Jullien had him handled. He won his aerial duels against him and moved the ball quickly and with precision. Dykes couldn’t get in the game. Our centre-back then commits to a challenge that he shouldn’t have done and Livi punish us. It happens. I’m struggling to remember all of the other times that Dykes came close to scoring outside of a wayward effort at goal late on.

Jullien is another who has been colossal for us. Think of his displays away to the likes of Lazio, Rangers, and Copenhagen. He also bagged the winner in the Betfred Cup final vs Rangers and has scored key goals against the likes of Lazio, Aberdeen, and Hamilton to name a few. He’s more than justifying his £7m price-tag this season (Scottish Sun).

So before anyone goes too overboard with criticism for either man, it’s important to remember they’re not error-free machines. These are footballers, and the lack of mistakes we’re getting from them overall this season has been immense. Like Broony says – nobody is a robot.

What did you think of both Forster and Jullien’s performances at Livingston? Surely they can be allowed a mistake here or there. Let us know your opinion in the discussion forum below.