It’s not a good thing to say, especially when Celtic are about to become champions, because they aren’t being ruthless enough during these final few months.
But on Sunday, it was one of the lowest moments of Rodgers’ tenure because Celtic were beaten by bottom club St Johnstone.
The worst part of it all was the fact that it was a deserved defeat, and now everyone waits again for the title party to be confirmed.
Whilst Celtic’s opening 45 minutes at St Johnstone was pretty poor, things got much better in the second half, only for the champion-elect to leave their shooting boots at home.
As the Hoops were pushing for that much-wanted goal, Alistair Johnston was on the floor in the penalty area, and there was an appeal, as Dermot Gallagher explained why a spot kick wasn’t given.
Alistair Johnston’s ‘lifted like the FA Cup’ as Celtic lose to St Johnstone
Following a corner, Johnston was backing into his marker, and then proceeded to be in the air for a few seconds, before coming straight back down.
Even though Sky Sports presenter Rob Wotton felt that Johnston was ‘lifted like the FA Cup’, ex-referee Dermot Gallagher thinks the Celtic man had his arm locked around the defender.
Therefore, he played a part in getting lifted from the ground, and the on-field official made the right call to not award a penalty, as he told Sky Sports News.
“Could Celtic have had a late penalty in the defeat to St Johnstone, after Alistair Johnston felt he was held at a corner?” asked Rob Wotton.
“A half-hearted appeal from Celtic. What do you make of this? He is almost lifted like the FA Cup here?”
Gallagher responded: “Yes, but he has also got his arm around the defender. I don’t think it’s a penalty. If you look at Johnston, he has his arm around the back of the defender.
“It’s almost like the defender is trying to get off him, so pulling him back puts Johnston in the air. But not a penalty, for me.”
Wotton added: “It’s like a lineout in Rugby.”
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Big changes for the Kilmarnock game
There can be no excuses here, Celtic deserved to lose, and Rodgers needs to iron out the issues within his side, because it has been happening far too often.
Thankfully, the Celtic manager sees it, and he was pretty scathing of his players post-match.
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Perhaps this is a sign that, when Celtic face Kilmarnock at the weekend, that several changes will be made to the XI.
Who could be in the firing line? Well, in some cases the answers are obvious because they are the ones who were hauled off in Perth or they aren’t performing.
• Nicolas Kuhn
• Reo Hatate
• Arne Engels
• Auston Trusty
• Jeffrey Schlupp
• Jota
