Celtic have had ‘an absolute debacle’ as fans told protests ‘ain’t going to help’
Celtic are in the midst of a mini crisis which has stemmed from their lack of activity in the summer transfer window.
Dundee shocked Celtic 2-0, as the Hoops lost their first league match of the season and their first at Dens Park in 37 years.
The result means Celtic are five points behind Hearts before the sides’ clash at Tynecastle on Sunday.
Celtic have won nine of the past 10 Scottish Premiership titles, but their grip on the trophy is slowly loosening and with Brendan Rodgers’s contract running down at the end of the season, the Hoops are facing a tricky spell on and off the pitch.
No faith that January will change Celtic fortunes
Celtic fans protested at Dundee towards the board as emotions intensify among the fan base, with protests set to continue for the foreseeable future.
Speaking on Sportscene, [19 October], Michael Stewart was asked how Celtic can sort out their issues before the January transfer window.
“Its not easy, the European games are coming thick and fast for them as well, they’ve obviously got another game on Thursday to contend with against Sturm Graz and they’ve got Hearts on Sunday at Tynecastle,” Stewart said.
“The form they’re in and the way they’re playing there’s not going to be any easy games for them just now. You imagine they’re going to have one eye on January, but they’ve been through a bigger transfer window in the summer and it was an absolute debacle so you wouldn’t put too much weight on things getting sorted out in January.
“It’s a concern for them. I think the negativity, the lack of synergy and the lethargy in the transfer window has manifested into the team and the performances.
“The protests from the fans certainly ain’t going to help in that fashion, but I can understand.”
Celtic ‘lethargic’ in Dundee defeat
Stewart was unimpressed by what Celtic produced during their defeat at Dundee, with the Hoops’ attack the main concern for the former Hibs and Hearts midfielder.
“Yet again they lacked any real intensity, they were lethargic in the final third and pretty toothless and that’s a concern for Brendan Rodgers because he has spoken previously about the squad, the squad is what it is now,” Stewart said.
“It is up to him to find the dynamic and the balance of the team that is going to unlock defences and at the moment it looks like they’re struggling to do that.
| Possession | 82% |
| Expected Goals | 2.50 |
| Total Shots | 23 |
| Shots on Target | 3 |
| Big Chances | 4 |
“They don’t have too many options either. Balikwisha is sat on the bench, Yang starts the game, Forest comes on ahead of Balikwisha again. Even when Balikwisha does come on he didn’t offer a great deal.
“Tounekti was a little bit ineffective today as well. Iheanacho didn’t have much to do in the game and Johnny Kenny came on at half-time and he barely touched the ball either so the front end of the park is definitely a concern for Brendan Rodgers.”