Brendan Rodgers Discussion Thread

Brendan Rodgers has vowed that Celtic will address their Champions League struggles in the January transfer window by adding extra quality in key areas.

The Scottish champions crashed out of Europe after losing to Lazio in Rome meaning they have registered just one point in five group stage matches so far.

Celtic were far from outclassed by their Italian opponents, but they ultimately failed to create and take that killer chance in the final third and they were made to pay for it by veteran striker Ciro Immobile who struck twice late on.

Speaking at full-time, Rodgers explained: "It's the overall quality. We need to have our very best players available.

"What makes the difference is that bit of experience and genuine quality. That's something we can hopefully resolve over the next couple of windows.

"This group has gained more experience and shown they can compete in some games - but we need to add quality. That's the glaring thing that stands out.

"We kept the ball but we needed to progress the game that bit more.

"Second half, we were much better, progressing the game through the pitch and managing the game well and then we arrived on the ascendency.

"In the last 20 minutes, we looked like the team that could go on and get the result, but we gave away two poor goals.

"The first one, we're in a great position up the pitch and we lose possession and never recover our shape. Then they get a bit of luck with the deflection. That was a tough one to take.

"For the second goal, we obviously need to be stronger and better."

Celtic picked up their only point against Atletico Madrid at Celtic Park and they now welcome Feyenoord to Glasgow in the final match of the group stage.

Looking ahead to the fixture, Rodgers added: "We want to finish on a high. We want to win in front of our own supporters. Our support has been incredible, travelling all round Europe.

"They haven't seen us win and we'd love to give them that victory at home and finish off with a positive result."

 

Well, here's the thing: people were saying last year Shakhtar were average. As a pot 3 side, they were supposed to be the team we fight for EL. We flopped utterly. Meanwhile, their brand of football is reaping further success, where they've skelped Barca.

Everyone thinking Celtic should be on a crusade to show beautiful football needs to open their eyes. It doesn't work unless you've got a big budget. Rodgers will win us the league, maybe the cup. But that's it. We need a change in course to do better in Europe.

Nobody likes defense, but I want a manager who'll spend hours of training on defensive positioning with the team, instead of possession. One day, if tens of thousands of fans call for the same, maybe we get a manager suited to our situation.

 

Winning the double will soften the blow but it doesn't address the bigger picture really, does it? We're a poorly run club with no ambition to improve outside of Scotland. Remember who the competition is and tell me that you're content with doing just enough to get past a poor hun tribute act.

So yeah I will probably have something to complain about until we start addressing these deep rooted problems.

I'll be happier once performances start to improve domestically, though. There's a way to win. I prefer Celtic teams to do it in style, not this turgid crap we've been witnessing since August.

 

What’s the saying, ‘can’t make a silk purse out of a Sow’s ear”. Well no matter who had that squad we would end up bottom. The squad just is not good enough, end of. Look at the team tonight - Scales, would have been out the door but for injuries. Bernardo, project. Yang, project. Forrest, finished at this level. That’s 4 that should never have started the game for us but they were the best we had. This is not on Rodgers but this is on the board.

 

You have to wonder why some people even support us, spout negative pish 24/7 then find something to complain about when it's going good.

Must be exhausting, I'd simply devote my time to something else.

 

But Brendan, didn't you say just weeks ago that you have the final say on signings.

You're approving the * were bringing in.

 

I've already said countless times I wasn't bothered by the way he left. You can believe me or not. My concerns are performances on the park and the * signings which he allegedly rubber stamps.

If he gets us playing a style of football that is enjoyable to watch and makes good signings in the transfer market I'll come around. For me he's failed on the European front already. They are not his failings alone but I'm not giving him a pass for it either. All I can judge him on now is the domestic stuff.

The bottom line is there's been no improvements and the doubts I had about him coming back have already materialised. It isn't my fault that we've limped out of Europe again and underperformed in Scotland.

 

Well, for starters, if I were the manager, I'd be registering Kwon in the CL, let alone using Iwata in every CL game. Yes, he's Korean, he's tall, and I'm biased...but...Rodgers himself said he okayed every signing. Cards would be piling up, because DM-s are there to foul players when necessary.

I'd also okay hoofball. Why? Our front players are fast. It makes sense to punt long under pressure, and let Yang, Maeda, Johnston, Abada and Kyogo chase, rather than think. McGregor would be a box-to-box player in my system, supporting attacks with runs into dangerous areas.

Rodgers thinks our defense is almighty and needs no proper screen. He also forces us into intricate build-up, which makes no sense, since it never lets us build momentum in attack.

I don't have a visceral hate for him because if his abrupt departure. But I also think he's average.

 

Not judging him on tonight. But my worries about him have not been abated in the 6 months he's been here, if anything they're slightly worse.

 

The manager cannot take all the blame for our European results. The squad is no where strong enough to compete at this level. We need 3 new players in the first 11 hopefully in January. Left back is a must. Central midfielder is required. A new striker is required. Goal keeper will be required but not critical in January. Look at the bench tonight. Simply not strong enough

 

Whats exhausting mate is getting up at all hours of the morning to travel , spending fortunes to watch a team you love thats constantly short changed by the board.

What's exhausting is getting your allegiance to Celtic constantly questioned because your not happy with the * that's being served up on the pitch

What's exhausting mate is 20 years of utter fuking failure in Europe

 

The issue is then that we've been hiring the wrong type of manager for a very long time.

Kwon has played 2 games total I saw him in. One he was gash, the other he wasn't bad. Both friendlies against top sides. I want to see him in Scotland. I also want to see Tilio.

Rodgers had dismissed Christie until he had no choice. We know what happened.

Yes, Rodgers wasn't backed. Why did he come, I've no idea. But he could say to himself "I haven't got the players to play what I want in Europe." He just refuses to admit it.

 

Kwon and Tilio are puppets.

One was signed to continue to appease the Asian fanbase we've garnered, and the other is a wee Aussie, cause we're trying to sell stuff in Australia and beyond.

 

I'm not questioning anyone's allegiance, huns are easy to spot and despite the constant negativity on here since June, there's nobody I'd accuse of being a hun.

There has to be a line between being negative on how we're run, and completely refusing to bask in anything positive.

If we win 6-0 at the weekend, I'll be delighted, yet some people will brush it aside and go back to tonight's result, or the draw at the weekend.

Nobody's saying it's perfect, we're far from where we should be as a club, but it's tiring going on here/social media and seeing the exact same things we knew 2 months ago.

 

Lol rodgers come see me in may quote will haunt him. Never wanted him back.HH