Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has launched a blistering critique of his team's character and application following a dismal 1-0 defeat to arch-rivals Rangers at Ibrox, branding his players' performance as "soft" and "weak".
The Hoops' boss did not hold back in his post-match analysis, delivering one of his most damning verdicts since returning to the Celtic Park dugout. The loss, sealed by a second-half goal from Cyriel Dessers, highlighted a concerning lack of fight from the Scottish champions.
A Scathing Assessment from the Boss
Rodgers pulled no punches when dissecting his team's shortcomings. "I thought we were soft in the game, I thought we were weak," he stated bluntly. "I'm surprised by it because we've been in a good moment. We lacked physicality and that is something that hasn't happened in my time here."
The Northern Irishman's frustration was palpable as he questioned his team's mentality in the white-hot atmosphere of an Old Firm clash. His comments suggest a deep concern about the players' ability to handle the immense pressure that comes with this historic fixture.
Key Battles Lost Across the Park
The match statistics painted a grim picture for Celtic supporters. Rangers dominated physically, winning the majority of individual duels and second balls throughout the contest.
Rodgers highlighted specific deficiencies: "Our body position was weak, so we were getting bumped off the ball and then we're slow to react to the second ball. That was the story of the game, especially in that first half."
Even talismanic striker Kyogo Furuhashi came in for indirect criticism, with Rodgers noting a lack of effective pressing from the front—a fundamental requirement in the manager's system.
What This Means for the Title Race
This result throws the Scottish Premiership title race wide open. While Celtic remain in a strong position, the psychological blow of being comprehensively outplayed by their greatest rivals could have lasting implications.
Rodgers now faces one of his biggest challenges since returning to Glasgow—addressing this apparent fragility and ensuring his team responds with the character expected of Celtic players.
The international break provides a moment for reflection, but the scrutiny on this Celtic squad has intensified dramatically after a performance their manager found utterly unacceptable.
