Brendan Rodgers and Celtic find themselves at a crucial juncture. Despite being three points clear at the top, the looming shadow of Rangers, with a game in hand against Ross County, threatens to level the playing field. The anticipation builds as we head into mid-February, a period that could very well define our season.
Our recent performances have been a cause for concern, to say the least. The victory at Hibs, although adding three points to our tally, felt more like a heist than a showcase of our prowess. Converting two penalties to secure the win did little to mask the reality of the game – we were fortunate. Hibs had opportunities to not only draw but to take all three points, exposing the vulnerabilities that have crept into our play.
Celtic’s Scottish Premiership Woes
The heart of the issue lies in our predictability and lack of creativity, a departure from the thrilling football that secured a treble last season. Brendan Rodgers, a manager known for his tactical nouse, seems to have hit a roadblock. The same style of play, once our strength, has become our Achilles’ heel. The predictability of our game plan has made us an easy puzzle for opponents to solve.
Our midfield, once a source of envy for others, struggles to carve open defences, with Reo Hatate’s absence further exacerbating our creative woes. The ripple effect is evident as our wingers, instead of taking on defenders, retreat into a cycle of unproductive possession. This has led to stagnation, a far cry from the dynamic and incisive football that defined our previous campaigns under Ange Postecoglou. However, not unlike Rodgers’ final season during his first spell in charge.
The blame, while shared, does indeed rest significantly on the manager. The players, capable of brilliance, are confined within a system that stifles their creativity and flair. It’s a stark contrast to the vibrancy and effectiveness of last season’s treble winning side.
Celtic’s recent form underscores a concerning trend: in the last three matches, they’ve netted only four times, half from penalties and the other half via major deflections. The stark reality hit at Easter Road, where out of eight attempts, only three were on target, two being penalties. This is a glaring issue for a team like Celtic, especially when in dire need of goals. The host’s superior shot count and accuracy further highlight Celtic’s current struggle in converting possession into meaningful chances. This has to fall at the feet of the Celtic manager. While he hasn’t been given the reinforcements he desperately asked for in January, we should still be able to put in better performances than what’s currently being served up.
While I’m usually reluctant to cast a shadow over a win, especially one clinched with a last-minute goal, last night’s triumph brought more relief than joy. This wasn’t a typical Celtic snatch-and-grab; it was a victory against a backdrop of concerning form, a team grappling with its identity and purpose. This recurring performance pattern suggests we’re on a precarious path, inching towards relinquishing our league title. Without significant improvements soon, dropping more points seems inevitable.
However, it’s not all doom and gloom. Some of the talent within the squad is undeniable. Matt O’Riley and Callum McGregor appear to have extended their winter break hibernation, something they need to sort out. What’s required is a fundamental shift in approach, a tactical evolution that reignites the spark and leverages the full potential of our squad. This may involve taking calculated risks, embracing flexibility in formations, and instilling a renewed sense of belief and freedom within the team.
A bright spot from last night’s game was Adam Idah’s penalty prowess, a rare delight for Celtic fans accustomed to missed opportunities from the spot. Idah’s successful penalties in both halves, especially the high-pressure kick in injury time.
Winning the league remains within reach, but not if our performances mirror what we saw at Easter Road.
The Scottish Cup looms large on the horizon with a trip to St Mirren on Sunday, and for many fans, in the back of their mind the cup isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity for hopefully a double, but more importantly, so there’s no chance of a treble elsewhere.
