After Saturday’s victory over Ross County, was it appropriate for Brendan Rodgers to retaliate against Celtics supporters?
KEITH JACKSON: That’s a tough one. He seems irritated by the lack of harmony within the club and is undoubtedly a little hurt by his lackluster relationship with a supporter who used to adore him. However, it seems risky to draw daggers at this crucial juncture in the campaign.
ANDREW NEWPORT: Well, it wasn’t the best idea, considering the way the Celtic faithful are currently feeling. The board has £70 million burning a hole in its pocket, and the fans are tired of seeing their team play so poorly. Bringing in the signings the supporters are clamoring for before Thursday’s deadline is the only way to mend fences.
FRASER WILSON: Yes, he was acting legally. The manager will always support you if you boo a victory. However, I’m sure Rodgers understands the fans’ annoyance at the show and the lack of movement throughout the transfer window.
And will the condition of Celtic’s own pitch pose a threat to their title defence?
KEITH: It’s not at all beneficial. It’s also incomprehensible given the sum of money that has been spent on that playing field. They must present their team with a pitch that is appropriate, even though they have disco lights and £70 million in the bank.
ANDREW: In agreement. Celtic wants to control the ball more than their opponents, but it’s difficult to accomplish that when the ground is churning up like a mud bath. Rodgers is right to anticipate that Celtic’s ground staff perform better since teams like Motherwell and Hibs have demonstrated that it is possible to create a respectable surface in this region of the world while operating on a shoestring.
FRASER: On Saturday, something was definitely killing their last ball, although it’s debatable if it was the bobbly field or their own incapacity to execute a game-winning pass. One thing is certain: if they let the title slide, no one will take a poor surface as an acceptable defense.
Does gigantic Phil Clement not think Todd Cantwell is cute?
KEITH: It does appear to be an unusual one. Even though Cantwell is among his team’s most naturally gifted players, the Englishman is unable to win the boss over. He’s presumably not providing the manager what he desires.
ANDREW: He’ll bet that the former Nowich ace is capable of far more consistently doing well than he is right now.
Cantwell’s elegant Easter Road goal demonstrates his potential, but he doesn’t consistently display that deadly side and was rightfully benched at halftime following another lackluster performance in Paisley. Clement will find someone who can elevate his form and maintain it there if he is unable to.
FRASER: As he’s now demonstrated a few occasions, he is most definitely against giving Cantwell an opportunity to play his way out of a bad start. There is obviously some trust there, though, because he still starts him in the big games. Maybe Cantwell didn’t like the conditions, but he needs to grow used to them since he’s in Scotland. He has to step it up.
KEITH: For quite some time now. Following their loss at Tynecastle on Saturday, Aberdeen is now 19 points behind Hearts in third place and in eighth place overall. Which are not even close to being appropriate.
ANDREW: Definitely.Dave Cormack will want to support him as much as possible, but the supporters are getting close to the end of their honeymoon after falling 19 points behind Hearts in third place, which is generally a bad sign.
FRASER: The Red Army is becoming increasingly unsatisfied, and Pittodrie is once again home to the bed linens that were spray-painted. That’s usually an indication that time is running out. Robson just cannot afford to lose on Tuesday at Dundee. Their league form has been dismal, as evidenced by how far behind third they are currently.
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