No excuses today. The players need to have a long hard look in the mirror…
Celtic Manager Brendan Rodgers St Johnstone v Celtic, Scottish Premiership, McDiarmid Park, Perth, 06 April 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace/IMAGO Shutterstock
Hopes were high this morning as we headed to Perth to take on St Johnstone full of hope of gaining a victory that would give us the opportunity to clinch the title at Celtic Park on Saturday afternoon.
Unfortunately we were left frustrated, disappointed and let down big time by our players. Three full stands inside McDiarmid Park were occupied by the travelling Celtic support and they like the rest watching on television were left pulling our hair out due to the woeful performance, attitude and finishing displayed by our players.
Daniels Balodis of St Johnstone celebrates with team mates after scoring to give St Johnstone a 1-0 lead. St Johnstone v Celtic, Scottish Premiership, l, McDiarmid Park, Perth, 06 April 2025: Photo Stuart Wallace/IMAGO Shutterstock
Celtic got what we deserved at McDiarmid Park
St Johnstone are bottom of the league and fighting for their Premiership status, we should be well capable of beating them, but today we got what we deserved which was absolutely nothing, and the Perth side fully deserved their victory, they wanted it much more than the ‘whatever’ attitude on show from our team.
Celtic goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo after Daniels Balodis of St Johnstone scored to give St Johnstone a 1-0 lead. St Johnstone v Celtic, Scottish Premiership, , McDiarmid Park, Perth, 06 April 2025: Photo Stuart Wallace/IMAGO Shutterstock
Yes we had more possession, we created more chances, and it’s only thanks to St Johnstone goalkeeper Andy Fisher that we left on the end of a defeat. But the Perth Saints showed something that we didn’t, and that was great commitment and an admirable will to win, so they were well worthy of their victory, and we can have no complaints whatsoever.
A long look at themselves in the mirror
These Celtic players need to have a long look at themselves in the mirror. Yes the league may be just about in the bag, but they need to go into every single game willing to bust a gut to get a victory.
Celtic captain Callum McGregor controls the ball under pressure from Jason Holt & Daniels Balodis of St Johnstone. St Johnstone v Celtic, Scottish Premiership, , McDiarmid Park, Perth – 06 April 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace IMAGO/Shutterstock
That’s now our third defeat in six Scottish Premiership matches, and that can’t be tolerated by an elite manager like Brendan Rodgers. We are champions, and are homing in on a fourth consecutive title, we need to start acting like it. We should be full of confidence, playing with a swagger and looking like the finest team in Scotland. We are starting games thinking it’s easy but it’s not.
Nicolas Kuhn of Celtic fails to score under pressure from Stephen Duke-McKenna of St Johnstone. St Johnstone v Celtic, Scottish Premiership, McDiarmid Park, Perth, 06 April 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace/IMAGO Shutterstock
St Johnstone, well adrift in the automatic relegation spot, were able to give the leaders a bloody nose. It sort of shows that the idea of cutting the size of the league to get rid of the dross and improve the competitive nature of the matches is nonsense.
Well done to St Johnstone
St Johnstone goalkeeper Andy Fisher saves a close range shot from Luke McCowan of Celtic. St Johnstone v Celtic, Scottish Premiership, , McDiarmid Park, 06 April 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace/IMAGO Shutterstock
Well done to St Johnstone, today’s performance gives them the three points they deserved and also the confidence that they need to mount a great escape stunt. Teams above them should be worried and SPFL officials should be thinking about INCREASING the size of the league and not cutting the numbers.
As for third gear Celtic, that’s simply not enough. Dear oh Dear. No excuses today Bhoys. No excuses. Here’s what Brendan had to say. Sounds angry to me…
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
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Yes, I too am mystified as to why we, at times, look like we’re out for a Sunday kick about. Lack of desire and commitment is raising its ugly head far too often recently.
For a while, a suspicion, looking more clear cut today – some of our established players have no interest in the supporters – they’ll win the league, who cares when – WE BLOODY DO !!!!
Three sides of that ground, next week full house at Home & worldwide tv audience, including Celtic supporters spread far & wide.
Unfortunately, some of these guys look like they have half an eye somewhere else.
Beaten by a Team that must’ve been so low in confidence & yet, prepared to carry out a plan that required bravery by going toe to toe with Champions elect…fantastic every one of StJohnstone’s players.
The Managers style is under scrutiny – fair enough – however, does he really not want us to play without intensity & aggression ? Not hit our speedy striker fast ? Impose our style of play, can’t do that if the players don’t commit to that 50/50 they did earlier on in in the Season.
Yeah Rodgers time is done. Letting the Huns score 3 past us would’ve had him sacked if the gap was closer.
Clearly the players are not on board.
How many goals could have been prevented just by having a player on the post for set pieces or by not passing back and across goal?
It’s embarrassing watching Engles and thinking he is the highest transfer we have ever bought in and Idah is up there too.
Does Engles give us more than Mooey, Rogic or O’Reilly?
Worth more than Van Dijk, Wanyama, Denayer?
Would you take Idah over Kyogo, MacDonald Samaras, Hooper, Griffiths?
The scouting is rotten, the management is stale and predictable and the board are only interested in Shareholder returns.