Brendan Rodgers wants to shield his players from the distraction of supporters protesting against the Board of Directors.
Before today’s 1-1 draw against Aberdeen a banner was unfurled, during the match chants against the board were heard with the final whistle unleashing further anger.
Social media had become very aggressive towards the end of the transfer window, today’s dropped points only intensified that anger with most attention focussed on the boardroom although criticism of Rodgers isn’t hard to find.
Since the start of December Celtic have dropped eight points in the SPFL, by the time they kick-off away to Hibs on Wednesday they could have dropped into second place.
With a second underwhelming transfer window failing to bolster the Starting XI Rodgers’ problems have been intensified by the Asian Cup and injuries to Cameron Carter-Vickers and Greg Taylor.
The Irishman has enough issues to deal with on the park and in the dressing room with unrest and anger from fans an issue that he has very little control over.
Speaking to The Sun after today’s match Rodgers said:
I can only concentrate on the players and what we do on the field. You always find that winning games and playing well can ease those situations and that’s what we aim to do.
Supporters pay their money and have every right to say what they want to say but for us, we can only control what we do on the pitch. If we do that we’ll be okay. The key thing is not allowing it to become a distraction for us. That’s really important.
Whatever goes on outside, you have to be able to deal with it. At a club like Celtic, at the biggest clubs, there will always be that pressure there.
I don’t need to add any more on to the players. They understand that playing for Celtic brings that.
Rodgers has to go again on Wednesday, away to Hibs who lost 3-0 at home to St Mirren with all of the goals coming in the first half.
In two matches since the winter break ended Celtic have scored twice with both of them being heavy deflections despite enjoying the vast bulk of possession in both matches.
Liel Abada and Luis Palma have started on the wing against Ross County and Aberdeen without providing Kyogo Furuhashi with the expected flow of chances.
Between the goals today Adam Idah and goalscorer Nicolas Kuhn were introduced which seemed more effective with the on loan Norwich man leading the line allowing Kyogo Furuhashi to work in pockets off space in a deeper role.
The pressure is now very much on Rodgers to deliver the goods, winning results will go some way towards neutering the ‘distraction’ of protests against Peter Lawwell and the Celtic board.
CLICK HERE for Rodgers claims that players wanted January Celtic move.
📸The banner at Aberdeen today:
“Celtic board – on your heads be it” pic.twitter.com/HQ5Wg3dW02
— 🍀 Celtic1967.com 🍀 (@Celtic1967_com) February 3, 2024
