‘Crazy’ – Celtic fans fume at ‘genuinely mind-blowing’ Brendan Rodgers decision
Celtic fans are not happy with Brendan Rodgers after a new concern emerged around Alistair Johnston in the first-half of their Europa League clash against Sturm Graz.
Celtic have struggled for form in recent weeks after their 19-game unbeaten run was ended by Braga on 2 October, with a 2-0 loss to Dundee last weekend piling the pressure on Brendan Rodgers.
Fans have grown increasingly annoyed with their four-time Premiership winning boss in recent weeks, and there are major doubts over his long-term future at the club with his contract set to expire at the end of this season.
Despite those concerns, Football Insider recently revealed that Celtic are eager to tie Rodgers down to new terms, but their supporters are set to be even more irate with him following this new blow around Alistair Johnston‘s fitness.
Johnston goes off injured immediately after returning
Celtic full-back Johnston suffered a hamstring injury in the first-leg of a Champions League qualifier against Kairat Almaty on 20 August, and he has been sidelined ever since with the likes of Colby Donovan and Anthony Ralston filling in during his spell in treatment room.
Johnston returned to training before Celtic’s clash against Dundee last week ahead of his initial schedule, but despite not even appearing on the bench at Dens Park, he was surprisingly handed a start against Sturm Graz on Thursday.
He had a quiet first half-hour before pulling up and immediately signalling to the home bench that he needed to come off, and so he cut an emotional figure as he was substituted in the 26th minute for Donovan.
Celtic fans had also seen star striker Kelechi Iheanacho forced off inside three minutes, while Jota and Daizen Maeda remain sidelined, so they could really have done without another injury to a key man.
Celtic fans fume at Rodgers after Johnston injury
Celtic fans took to X to criticise Brendan Rodgers‘ handling of Johnston’s return in response to his new setback, with one saying: “Starting him is pure desperation, crazy decision,” while another added: “That’s on Brendan why start someone who’s been out injured for 3 months without bedding him back in first?”
More criticism was aimed the manager’s way as one supporter asked: “Does Brendan Rodgers do ANYTHING right? Genuinely mind blowing,” while another questioned him further, saying: “Why did he even start the game. baffling man management.”
More fans weighed in to blame Rodgers as another added: “What kind of clownshoes thought throwing a guy just back from injury into a dead rubber from the start before the big game at the weekend was a good idea? Totally predictable.“