Brendan Rodgers has delivered a strong and unmistakable message to both the Celtic board and his players after the Hoops suffered a disappointing 1-0 loss to St Johnstone this afternoon.
This defeat, Celtic’s fourth in the Scottish Premiership since the turn of the year, stands in sharp contrast to the unbeaten league form they maintained before January.
Rodgers didn’t mince his words when addressing the team’s lacklustre displays, voicing serious concerns about recent performances.
Speaking to Clyde 1 Superscoreboard, he said: “It was bitterly disappointing — a poor start to the game, and unfortunately, not the first time. This is something I’ll be addressing in the summer. The way we began was far too soft and far too easy for the opposition.
“Yes, it comes down to mentality. While this group does have mental strength, I’ve been part of teams that push relentlessly through a season. Right now, there are perhaps a few players who are too comfortable.
“Comfort isn’t about a physical place — it affects your edge. When you’re too comfortable, you become timid, lose duels, and miss the fight. That’s never acceptable if you want to be a top player.”
Rodgers clearly sees signs of complacency among players he once trusted, and it’s becoming evident that major changes are coming this summer. With the backing of the board ahead of the Champions League qualifiers in August, a squad shake-up appears inevitable.
It’s now clear that this current group can shine for only half a season — and when they fall off, it’s been disastrous. Rodgers, who enjoyed greater consistency in his first spell at Celtic, knows the levels required to succeed. Today served as another clear indication that changes are urgently needed — and it’s reassuring to see that Rodgers fully recognises this.
