The Celtic manager lit rip at his players, after they were beaten by the Premiership’s bottom club and the title party was put on hold.
What was interesting is that the champions-elect went into that match on a high because they had just beaten Hearts the week before.
Not only had Celtic scored three goals, but they also kept a clean sheet and they returned from the international break with a bang.
But, for the trip to Perth, Rodgers changed it up at the back, and that call didn’t go down well with some.
After becoming the first Rangers manager since Walter Smith in 1991 to win at Celtic Park on his first attempt, Ferguson was full of praise for his players. “It’s a really good feeling coming to your fiercest rivals and deserving to win the game,” he said. “I just said to the players to go and enjoy the next couple of days because it’s been a long time, I think five years. But I think if you look at the game overall, we deserved it. “I thought in the first half, that was the game plan that we came with. I thought the boys stuck to it perfectly. The second half, you always know Celtic are going to come at you because the crowd is getting frustrated. “I thought Brendan would make a change or two and he certainly did that, and it made a different to the Celtic team. They obviously got back into the game at two each. “But then I take a step back and what I’ve been trying to drum into the boys is there’s more needed at Rangers than being a good player. It’s been labelled by you guys, everybody in the media about character, and that’s one of the things I stressed to them when I come in today.” Cerny has been one of Rangers’ standout performers under Ferguson. Image credit: Getty Ferguson added: “It takes a certain type to be a very good Rangers player. My group of players are certainly starting to show that.” Thoughts on the moment involving Cerny? Let us know in the comments.
Maik Nawrocki’s ‘unfortunate’ to be dropped by Brendan Rodgers
Celtic fans questioned the call to drop Maik Nawrocki, and now Jim Duffy feels that he was ‘unfortunate’ to be on the end of that ruthless call.
Auston Trusty, who was a summer signing from Sheffield United, was the man to come in and slot in alongside his fellow countryman, Cameron Carter-Vickers.
But Duffy questioned the American’s display in Perth, and how he feels there is more presence to Nawrocki’s game than Trusty’s, as he told Clyde 1 Superscoreboard.
“I agree with you, in some aspects, because Nawrocki come in and he hadn’t played for such a long time,” said Duffy.
“He was thrown into the deep end against Rangers. Yes, Igamane scored the winner late, late on, but he did very well for the vast majority of that game. Then against Hearts.
“You are right. He has been a little bit unfortunate not to get the nod to stay in the team. I think he does have a bit more of a physical presence.
“I also feel that he drives forward with the ball a little bit more. I was at the game on Sunday, but every time St Johnstone tactically, it was almost as if they would leave the two Celtic centre-backs with the ball. There was loads of space in front of you. He (Trusty) would run 10-15 yards. Stop. Give to Carter-Vickers.
“I am up in the stands thinking ‘keep going another 25-30 yards and see if one of the St Johnstone midfielders comes to you, then maybe you can play a forward pass’. But he hardly ever played a forward pass.”
Nawrocki’s stats for Celtic this season
For months and months, Celtic fans have either watched Nawrocki just remain on the bench, or even at times, not even make the matchday squad.
Therefore, it has made many think that, the player in question, isn’t cutting it or showing signs in training, that he is good enough to earn any minutes.
But, from the games that Nawrocki has played, that’s four in total, you can’t fault the guy because he has played his part.
| Game | Score | Minutes played | Rating |
| vs Falkirk, League Cup (H) | 5-2 | 5 | – |
| vs Raith Rovers, Scottish Cup (H) | 5-0 | 18 | – |
| vs Rangers, Premiership (H) | 2-3 | 90 | 7.05 |
| vs Hearts, Premiership (H) | 3-0 | 90 | 8.05 |
