Celtic are not the same team they were under Brendan Rodgers, they’re not even the same team they were last season. So what’s to blame for the sharp downturn in form?
Kieran Devlin of The Athletic has managed to speak to sources close to a few of the players and it makes for interesting reading.
Many fans have been saying for some time, it looks like the standards have dropped. As a club, under Rodgers, we were operating at such a high level. The decline in what’s happening in training and the culture of the club has slowly fallen by the wayside.
There’s talk of a lack of preparation from some players. You don’t have to be a football forensic expert to realise that’s the case. You just have to look at the Ibrox game. Three years ago we went down to ten men at Ibrox under Brendan Rodgers — as soon as that happened a plan went into place. It actually transpired they had been working on playing with ten men that week in training and they were prepared. Rodgers weathered the storm and then brought in Eddy who would grab the winner. Compare and contrast the management on the sideline last weekend. Neil Lennon and John Kennedy in deep conversation on the touch line after Bitton was sent off. They didn’t have a plan B and we’re working on the fly — it showed and you’ll not find many fans who thought we were even going to draw after the sending off.
The Athletic reports a difference of opinion in the dressing room but doesn’t suggest there’s a fundamental split.
“Some believe there has been a drop in standards since Brendan Rodgers’ departure almost two years ago — something the club refute strongly — and for some the past months have altered their perspective on their Celtic futures.
“There seems to be a divide in the dressing room in terms of those confused about what is happening, and those who feel “frustrated” by what they see as a decline in standards. The former group feel downhearted because they believe they’re working just as hard on the training ground and in matches as last season — if not more so — and don’t understand why that is not translating into performances and results as it once did.
“Those who are frustrated feel there isn’t as much work being done on shape, match preparation and fitness in particular as there was during Rodgers’ time, with multiple sources also suggesting a lower intensity in training. The standards in games, training and fitness that players “worried” about not meeting under the previous management “aren’t really there anymore”, some feel, though others disagree and enjoy the sessions. This is not some sort of player revolt.”
Everybody knew there was always going to be that drop in standards. Neil Lennon is old school and comes from the Martin O’Neill and Gordon Strachan learning tree.
Players need more nowadays.
The Rangers defeat has seemingly knocked the built up confidence the bhoys has after winning the quadruple treble and subsequent games after that. Can they refund some sort of form, when the team aren’t on the same page?
