Brendan Rodgers has addressed the team’s recent performance issues, asserting that the perceived struggles have been overstated and that the statistical analysis supports his view.
Rodgers emphasised his role in maintaining the team’s mental focus and inner voice amidst external pressures and criticisms.
Celtic’s performance levels haven’t been good enough, with results also allowing rivals Rangers to catch up. Despite not dropping a single point to the Ibrox side, Celtic sit level on points with them, just ahead on goal difference.
Acknowledging the team’s difficulties in converting chances, Rodgers pointed out, quoted by Football Scotland, “We know we’ve dropped points and we know we’ve not been as clinical because actually, when you do a lot of the analysis, there’s not a great deal of difference in things.”
At the weekend, Celtic had plenty of chances to score the opening goal in the first half, with Aberdeen not having a single touch in Celtic’s box. It’s wastfullness which will ultimately cost Celtic the league.
Rodgers continued: “I want us to play in a better way but actually when you look at it statistically and shots and everything else, there’s not a lot of difference between where the team was before. But we’re not clinical enough at the moment, and of course, when you’re not taking those opportunities like against St Johnstone, like against Ross County, it can bring an anxiety.
“And then when you have the team of boys we have, some of them are young and not experienced in this environment, then of course that can make them think. But it’s the job of the manager, that is what you help them deal with.”
The manager vowed to improve and turn things around, with two trophies still to play for.
“There’s just a feeling that it’s different, but that’s ok. It’s our job to change that around – it won’t be forever. We just have to keep chipping away, and we’ll get there.”
Easter Road will be a tough challenge for Celtic, but it won’t get any easier when they travel to Paisley to take on St Mirren in the Scottish Cup on Sunday.
