Brendan Rodgers disappointed but credits Saints | OneFootball

Celtic fell behind early at St Johnstone and despite having the bulk of the play in the remainder of the game, they couldn’t break down a resolute home side who held out while also threatening on occasion at the other end.

Brendan Rodgers gave credit to St Johnstone but he was frustrated with the outcome of the game when the Hoops have a fourth successive title well within their sights.

The manager said following the 1-0 defeat: “I’m very disappointed with the performance and the result. We didn’t start the game well, which was a concern.

“We’ve had that a number of times, that’s just about mentality, that’s about ambition in the game.

“They started more aggressive, won some duels and we didn’t deal with them at all.

“In the second half we came out and obviously we dominated the game and we create opportunities, the keeper made some great saves, but it’s a mind-set that I don’t like.”

The manager, though, refused to throw his players under the bus and added: “This is on everyone, we have to look at that as a team.

“Everything we’ve ever done has been a collective, and that’s firstly on me, so I need to think about in terms of my teaching, my inspiration, my motivation.

"Am I doing the right things to get them to that point? So firstly I look at myself.”

The Celts, particularly in the second half created a number of chances, enough certainly to return to Glasgow with full points.

The Irishman said: “I expect us to take those opportunities. We got into some really good areas, and, like I said, it was a combination of just not that clinical edge to the game and their keeper making some fantastic saves, and their players making some great blocks.

“That got them in front and we couldn’t respond.”

The Celts can get back on track next week when Kilmarnock visit Celtic Park and the manager said: “It’s about getting your mentality right before you even kick a ball.

“We’ve had one or two games where we’re waiting for the game, and that worries me when I look at the squad.

“The squad have shown great mental strength over the course of the season, but have lacked that ambition in games, and, especially today, there’s no excuse – we had three sides of the ground full.

“And with your own supporters pushing you on expecting, maybe that’s something I have to look at – expectation versus underdog.

“Because everyone can play as an underdog, but when you’re a Celtic player you have to deal with both, you’ve got to deal with the underdog in the Champions League at times, and then you have to deal with the expectation at home and being the top team.

“That’s something that has really disappointed me today.”

Fixtures

St. Johnstone Vs. Celtic - Sun, Apr 6th 2025, 12:00