Hugh Keevins thinks Celtic fans are ‘anxious’ about next month’s Premier Sports Cup semi-final against Rangers.
The Hoops were pitted against their Glasgow arch-rivals after beating Falkirk and Partick Thistle in the previous rounds.
Celtic have played Rangers once this season so far, and it’s safe to say the derby at Ibrox was one of the most forgettable in recent memory.
Keevins claims he’s been speaking to some Celtic fans of late, and they’ve been saying Brendan Rodgers is not immune to blame, which has mostly been directed at the club’s board.
Supporters are said to be still unhappy about the defeat to Kairat Almaty and the fact Rodgers failed to win a Glasgow derby against either Barry Ferguson or Russell Martin.
Keevins thinks Celtic fans are ‘anxious’ ahead of Rangers semi-final
And that, according to Keevins, has Celtic fans feeling apprehensive about the semi-final, which the Bhoys will be favourites to win.
Writing in the Daily Record, Keevins said he met a couple of fans at a funeral: “One attendee at the post-service meal assured me Rodgers had not been overlooked for blame on a variety of indictments.
“Chief among them were his failure to field a team capable of beating, or even scoring against, Kairat Almaty home or away in the Champions League play-off.
“And the anger over his failure to better a succession of managers, permanent or temporary, against Rangers, including the much ridiculed and short-lived Russell Martin.
“Anxious fans are waiting to see if that list of failure will include the Premier Sports Cup semi-final next month and who ever picks the Rangers team by then.
“Whatever happens at Rangers should impact on Celtic, for better or worse.
“And what’s happening at Ibrox presently should mean it comes into the former category. The insinuation is Rangers’ headline-grabbing progress is helping Brendan get off lightly.”
Who do Celtic play before Rangers?
Well, first up is a trip to Dundee, which Celtic simply cannot afford to slip up in regardless of Hearts’ result against Kilmarnock on Saturday night.
Then it’s back to the Europa League on Thursday evening as unbeaten Sturm Graz come to Glasgow, with Celtic desperate for a win.
Hearts on the Sunday following is a huge match, while Falkirk are the opponents just a few days before the semi-final.
Rangers are set to appoint Kevin Muscat as their new permanent manager, but he is unlikely to be in the dugout against Celtic.
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