Celtic physically miles off it and carrying passengers left, right and centre

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The Celtic Star

·3. Januar 2025

Celtic physically miles off it and carrying passengers left, right and centre

For the first time in a long while, Celtic suffered a defeat to theRangers, and like Brendan Rodgers outlined post-match, it was all the Hoops deserved…

Brendan Rodgers, Manager of Celtic, looks on prior to the SPL Premier League match between theRangers and Celtic at Ibrox on January 02, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Before dissecting the game, perspective is needed. The Premier Sports League Cup was bagged in December, Celtic are 11 points clear and will win the league title, and we are one win away in the Champions League from reaching the knockout playoffs for the first time in 13 years. Well documented, the season remains one of the best in recent years.

Greg Taylor of Celtic and Mohamed Diomande of theRangers during the Scottish Premiership match at Ibrox Stadium, 2 January 2025. Photo O’ Rourke//Shutterstock

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However, despite all of those credible accolades listed, it does not excuse the insipid performance at Ibrox yesterday afternoon. For all the plaudits of our defensive qualities this season, that is now six goals conceded in 180 minutes of football against the Ibrox club in the last two derbies.

And it may well have been more had it not been for the woodwork, and critical interventions from the only man to gain pass marks yesterday afternoon, Cameron Carter-Vickers.

Cameron Carter-Vickers of Celtic reacts during the SPL Premier League match between Rangers FC and Celtic FC at Ibrox Stadium on January 02, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Scales had a day to forget

His central defensive partner, Liam Scales, had a day to forget. Woeful in possession, it was the Irishman’s misplaced pass which Nico Raskin latched onto, breezing off Paulo Bernardo in the process, subsequently leading to Ianis Hagi’s opener after just seven minutes. It was unfamiliar territory for Celtic, whom just like a fortnight ago at Hampden, trailed their rivals.

The same mistake occurred on repeat throughout the first half and Scales was not the only culprit in a Celtic jersey. That being said, damningly for Scales, had Rodgers brought on Auston Trusty after 30 minutes, he would have had absolutely no complaints.

Hagi of theRangers and Celtic’s Alistair Johnston during the match between theRangers and Celtic at Ibrox on 2nd January 2025. Photo by Mark Runnacles Shutterstock

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Why was Scales playing ahead of Trusty anyway? Rodgers seems to bizarrely trust Scales over a better player, and I can’t quite grasp why. Brendan hooked Trusty at half-time at Hampden over in the Premier Sports League Cup final for Trusty failing to break lines. It was thus bewildering why Scales who was chronic in the first 45, survived after the interval.

Meanwhile, Reo Hatate’s 75 minutes was a hard watch. Marauding round the pitch thinking he is prime Iniesta, gifting the ball to his opponents carelessly and being largely ineffective again — a pattern that has emerged in the Japanese midfielder’s performances this season.

Reo Hatate of Celtic during the Scottish Premiership match at Ibrox on 2nd January 2025. Photo: Neil Hanna

Hatate-cult within our own support

Surely even the Hatate-cult within our own support are running out of excuses for his dismal performances this season? As a regular starter, he is not pulling his weight anymore. Whether it be this window or the summer, Celtic should be looking to replace him, that is the long and short of it.

It was fairly obvious to those watching that nor Scales or Hatate should have come back out for the second half. However, Rodgers inexcusably persisted with the same XI, presumably expecting something to change.

Brendan’s risk-averse football

Celtic captain Callum McGregor and Danilo Pereira da Silva of Rangers during the Scottish Premiership match at Ibrox. theRangers v Celtic, photo O’Rourke/Shutterstock

Unsurprisingly, nothing changed. Celtic continued to play risk-averse football evident by having 61% of the ball possession and not doing very much with it whilst accumulating only four shots in the entire match and theRangers stand-in goalkeeper Liam Kelly having the solitary save to make.

Whereas, theRangers had 24 shots, the most recorded by an opposition side against Celtic since SPFL records began. Their left-footed right-back had two more shots than us in the entire game. Embarrassing.

Tierney attended a Celtic FC Foundation event in London last week, seen here with Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers. Photo Celtic FC

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Substitutions eventually did arrive with 25 minutes to play, but Robin Propper’s finish from a poorly-defended corner two minutes after the triple changes killed any hope of an unlikely Celtic comeback.

Complacency seeped into the Celtic players yesterday, unquestionably. Missing for Philippe Clement were his number one goalkeeper and the core of his backline: Jack Butland, James Tavernier, John Souttar and Leon Balogun. But, it galvanised an under pressure Gers side who are quite clearly resistant when underdogs – as shown in the Europa League and the past two derby encounters.

Danilo made it three following a weak action from Luke McCowan. A summation of Celtic’s display all afternoon, physically miles off it and carrying passengers left, right and centre.

Two games in a row now theRangers have tactically worked Rodgers’ side out. The midfield pivoted by Callum McGregor with Paulo Bernardo and then Reo Hatate either simply does not work or has been sussed out or both. Either way, that issue must be resolved by the time March comes around.

Liam Scales blocks as Vaclav Cerny of Rangers shoots during the Scottish Premiership match at Ibrox, Rangers v Celtic, Scottish Premiership, Photo O Rourke/Shutterstock

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The 3-0 defeat is comfortably the worst performance in Rodgers’ second spell as manager. It highlights reinforcements in both the defensive and attacking areas are much needed.

Although Greg Taylor was one of the better performers yesterday and was one of the very few Celtic players who didn’t deserve to be substituted, Kieran Tierney’s return this month or the summer will be a welcome addition. A spark at the top end of the pitch on the wings that isn’t directly from Daizen Maeda or Nicolas Kuhn is a necessity.

Dujon Sterling of Rangers and Daizen Maeda of Celtic during the Scottish Premiership match at Ibrox. Rangers v Celtic, Photo O Rourke – Shutterstock

It’s not a criticism of Maeda or Kuhn, who have been Celtic’s best players this season, but when you look to the bench and their replacements are Yang and Luis Palma, you begin to scratch your head.

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Onwards to St Mirren on Sunday for the first domestic game at Celtic Park in 2025. If you were to tell me just now that come Sunday night Celtic will have extended their lead at the top of the table again, I wouldn’t be surprised.

But sharp focus needs to be reinstated in preparation for the second half of the season for the league, Scottish Cup, and hopefully a few more Champions League matches.

For now, we need to take our medicine and move on.

Conor Spence