Celtic were poor as Premiership basement boys St Johnstone conjured up a stunning 1-0 win in Perth to delay the Bhoys’ title party.
The Hoops could have set up a memorable day at Parkhead against Kilmarnock today if they had beaten Simo Valakari’s men.
But they stumbled to a third league defeat in six games – and it’s safe to say Rodgers was not best pleased with the complacency of his players.
Rodgers was visibly angry on the touchline and that continued into the McDiarmid Park away dressing room.
Carter-Vickers on Brendan Rodgers post-St Johnstone rant
Celtic were poor at times last season, particularly in the first-half of the campaign as Rodgers got to grips with his new squad having returned as boss in the summer.
Carter-Vickers knew Rodgers had that explosive side to him. So the American wasn’t too surprised when the boss blew a gasket after full-time – even if it has only happened on occasion at Celtic.
Speaking to the press on Friday, Carter-Vickers said: “There were times last season where we didn’t perform the way he wanted us to. I was aware that he had that side to him. So, it wasn’t a surprise.
“You look at the game last weekend. Obviously, it didn’t start ideal conceding but, after that point, I thought we created more than enough chances to win that game.
“I think, nine times out of 10, if you create those chances, you win. So, result-wise, it’s not a positive one but, performance-wise, it wasn’t terrible. And that’s football. That’s why we love the sport.
“That’s why a team can be on top for 80 minutes and still lose a game. And that’s why people watch it, because it’s unpredictable.
“I completely understand the emotion of losing a game when the final whistle goes. I’m annoyed, we’re all annoyed.”
What Rodgers said to Celtic players in St Johnstone aftermath
Rodgers also addressed the press at Lennoxtown on Friday and explained exactly what he said to his players during the week in training.
He revealed: “Well, it’s been two-fold really, I said that it’s a result we don’t expect and it’s certainly a result I can’t accept, as the manager here.
“Especially how we’ve done against St Johnstone and before and knowing and seeing it from the very first minute of the game where the performance could go to, so it’s not something that I can accept.
“What I also said to them is that for eight months of the season, from the first day of pre-season until we get knocked out against Bayern Munich, our level has been at a really, really high level, consistent.
“Some of the performances that we’ve had, some of the results that we’ve had and there’s probably only maybe two performances in there, Dortmund away, Rangers away, apart from that we’ve been so, so consistent in playing at a level.
“I said it also shows we have a way to go to be to where I want us to be in terms of mindset and mentality, because there’s no doubt that the gap in the league and also maybe a little bit of coming out of the Champions League has just taken a slight edge off.
“So that’s a mindset that I need to continue to work within the squad in order to improve that. I don’t forget how well they have done, but I can’t accept what that was last week.”
