Why Celtic fans need to start talking about Brendan Rodgers now and not just the board

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Celtic fans have, quite rightly, backed Brendan Rodgers over the latest trouble with the Parkhead board.

Ever since Rodgers was briefed against in the Scottish press by someone from Celtic Park, fans have been right behind the Hoops boss this season.

Rodgers even got a free pass over the summer transfer window because Celtic supporters know that the shambolic business that was done was because of the club’s inability to get deals over the line.

However, all that is fine and well but a conversation now needs to be had about Brendan Rodgers and how he has this team playing not just this season, but last season too.

• READ MORE: Kelechi Iheanacho’s unseen gesture towards Brendan Rodgers minutes after Braga’s Celtic Park goal

Celtic’s glaring goal-scoring record is there for all to see

Brendan Rodgers is undoubtedly a talented manager. He is, after all, Celtic’s second most successful manager of all time.

However, what is increasingly obvious is that the team are simply not firing on all cylinders this season, and if Celtic fans are honest, this malaise was going on towards the end of last year.

At this point of the season, Celtic had scored 20 goals in the Scottish Premiership and six in the Champions League.

As it stands, Rodgers has seen his team score just eight goals in the league and one in Europe’s second-tier competition, as Celtic struggle to break down the opposition this season.

Now, much of that blame will rightly be apportioned to losing the likes of Kyogo, Nicolas Kuhn and Adam Idah in the transfer market and, of course, Jota to injury. But when fans look at the teams Celtic have failed to find the back of the net against, Rodgers’ style of play and tactics must come into question.

• Kairat Almaty x 2
• Rangers
• Hibs
• SC Braga

Five games against mediocre teams that Rodgers’ Celtic have failed to score a goal and last night’s defeat at Parkhead meant that the Hoops fans have not seen a home goal scored three times this season.

Brendan Rodgers changed Celtic’s shape vs SC Braga but what did doing that really achieve?

Recognising that Celtic were struggling to break down Braga, Rodgers made changes to his personnel at half-time last night.

Off went Colby Donovan, who despite his mistakes, was one of the only players intent on moving the ball forward, and brought on Marcelo Saracchi.

The change meant Celtic went to a back three as they tried to force a way through a dogged Braga defence.

Celtic looked unsure, out of their depth and dare I say it, scared as the players appeared to struggle with the system change.

How must young Donovan feel after being subbed off with Celtic Park half-time boos ringing in his ears? The change of shape was welcomed, but the style of play remained the same.

Passing side to side, eventually moving forward only for the midfield to see there was no penetration before eventually passing the ball back to the defence to start all over again.

It got so bad that even Daizen Maeda was found at one point midway inside his own half as he grew more and more frustrated at the lack of service.

Now, Rodgers has been hamstrung by the board, of that there is no doubt but with the group of players the Celtic boss has at his disposal, is it really too much of a stretch to suggest that wins against Kairat, Rangers, Hibs and SC Braga is beyond this team?