Neil McCann slams Brendan Rodgers for ‘disrespectful’ comments after Celtic’s defeat at Hearts
Brendan Rodgers’ frustrations are continuing to grow after watching his Celtic side lose back-to-back Scottish Premiership matches for the first time since 2013.
Celtic lost 3-1 at Hearts in a damaging result in their hopes of retaining their title, with the Edinburgh club now eight points ahead at the top of the table.
Rodgers’ future at Celtic is uncertain, and such results and performances will only add to the pressure on the former Liverpool boss.
The Hoops host Falkirk at Celtic Park next in the Scottish Premiership, knowing that nothing over than three points will be accepted by a increasingly frustrated support base.
Brendan Rodgers puzzles Neil McCann with latest comments
Following defeat at Hearts, Rodgers talked about the differences in the style of playing between the two teams, saying his side “had to deal with a lot of direct balls.”
On Sportscene, [26 October], former Rangers winger Neil McCann found Rodgers’ comments “disrespectful.”
“I thought it was quite disrespectful not only to the club, Hearts, but the current team right now, Derek McInness and his group,” McCann said.
“I think Brendan’s said a few things in the last number of weeks that have been puzzling to me, I’m not sure what he’s thinking there but I did think that was disrespectful.
“You look at Hearts’ 22 goals versus Celtic’s 12, 10 ahead. Positive goal difference 14 ahead of Celtic right now. So I think they’re not playing hoof ball. That club is not being built on hoof ball.
“There’s been a few really good teams, there’s not a right way to play football that’s up to the coach and the fans like that style as long as you’re winning games of football and Hearts have done it today they’re eight points clear and I think its a wonderful achievement.”
| Stat/Club | Hearts | Celtic |
| Passes | 284 | 532 |
| Accurate Passes % | 65% | 82% |
| Accurate Long Balls | 26 | 22 |
Rodgers must starting focusing on getting results
Rodgers needs to focus on results on the pitch, as Hearts outfought Celtic and deserved their victory at Tynecastle.
Comments, like comparing his Celtic team to a Hondo Civic, have not going down well and Rodgers’ frustrations may be spilling over.
Rodgers was left frustrated at Celtic’s transfer window, which is being put down as one of the reasons for the clubs poor season so far.
Until January, Rodgers must work with what he’s got and he needs to firstly find a solution to Celtic’s goal scoring issues.