Celtic criticism despite staggering Premiership lead triggers Brendan Rodgers response

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Brendan Rodgers appeared somewhat confused when the notion of his Celtic stars being criticised was broached by the media this weekend.

The Hoops hold a staggering 13 point lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership table with just one defeat in the league so far.

Celts stuttered in a 3-3 draw with Dundee in midweek following a late win over Ross County with the 4-1 scoreline perhaps flattering the visitors in Dingwall that day.

Some sections of the Celtic support have questioned recent performances from their side despite the significant gap at the Premiership summit and that prompted a member of the press pack to ask the manager for his thoughts.

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Some Celtic fans have questioned recent performances

Rodgers initially came across slightly miffed at the suggestion as he queried what the criticism has been, saying: “I don’t know because I haven’t seen it, but if you can tell me what the criticism was…”

When the journalist then mentioned the performance on Tuesday evening in Dundee, the boss took a more measured approach.

He explained how Celtic will always accept warranted criticism from the support who are entitled to do so.

But he admitted that it’s “natural” for any team, regardless of form, to hit a brick wall.

How Rodgers reacted to Celtic being ‘criticised’

“Okay, yes, we have to accept critics,” he said.

“But, like I say, if I look at the bigger picture of what the players are coming off, I think that it’s also respecting that there comes a point in a season where any team, no matter how good a season you’re having, or no matter how bad a season you’re having, you’ll hit a little bit of a wall.

“It’s natural, it doesn’t matter how good you’ve been playing or not, you’re going to hit a little wall. I felt that probably on Tuesday, on that seventh game in 20 days, was maybe that point.

“Listen, we have to accept the criticism, whether we like it or not. I think, like I said, when you draw a game or lose a game, it’ll sting. But for us, it’s all part of being at a big club. You have to accept it, whether you agree with it or not.

“We have to deal with that and then move on to our next game. And that’s what our idea is.”