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.
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Rangers forward Vaclav Cerny is going viral for his outrageous touchline celebration, just moments after Hamza Igamane netted a late winner in Sunday’s dramatic Old Firm derby. It was an afternoon to remember for Barry Ferguson and his Rangers side, just days after they secured their place in the Europa League quarter-final with victory over Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce. The visitors went two goals ahead at Celtic Park through Nicolas Raskin and Mohamed Diamonde but after Diazen Maeda pulled one back for Celtic in the opening stages of the second-half, things took a turn. In fact, they levelled the scores with 74 minutes played as Japan international Reo Hatate slotted past Jack Butland with ease. But then, with two minutes of normal time remaining, substitute Hamza Igamane scored his 14th goal of the season as in-form Rangers clinched an unforgettable three points in Glasgow. Moments after Igamane ended a recent goal drought in the dying embers, Czech winger Vaclav Cerny could be seen squirting his water bottle at a section of Celtic supporters in the front row. As you can see from the post below, footage of the incident soon emerged on X, formerly Twitter, as fans reacted to Cerny’s animated celebrations. One said: “Vaclav Cerny sprayed Celtic fans with a water bottle after their goal,” and a second wrote: “Whatever it costs to sign Cerny. We will pay double.” A third wrote: “He’ll be lucky to finish their season now. Since when was this this appropriate from any professional?” A fourth said: “Top level s***housery…..should actively be encouraged in football,” and a fifth added: “Creased every time I see it. Could watch this on repeat all day.” Speaking in his post-match interview, Rangers boss Barry Ferguson was asked about the incident involving Cerny. “No, listen, I was just concentrating on celebrating and making sure we were getting back into our shape,” he told Sky Sports. “I didn’t see the incident if I’m honest.” Vaclav Cerny sprayed Celtic fans with a water bottle after their goal… 😅 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.
4 weeks ago
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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.”
