Blazing Brendan Rodgers orders Celtic players to get out of their comfort zone as worried boss reveals mentality fears

Blazing Brendan Rodgers orders Celtic players to get out of their comfort zone as worried boss reveals mentality fears

The Irishman was gutted after his side spurned the chance to clinch the trophy at Parkhead next weekend

Brendan Rodgers during Celtic's defeat to St Johnstone (Image: PA )

Raging Brendan Rodgers warned his Celtic team they're getting too "comfortable" – and says the recent trend of starting slowly is worrying him.

The champions elect lost 1-0 to St Johnstone in Perth and it's the third time in their last six games they have dropped points.

‌

Article continues below

A fuming Rodgers was in no mood to protect his stars after it as they spurned the opportunity to clinch the title at Parkhead next weekend.

A victory would have left Celtic within one win of the trophy which could have been wrapped up in front of their own fans against Kilmarnock. But they'll now need to do their bit and wait for a favour from Aberdeen if they want to win it before the split.

The Celtic boss let rip on Sky Sports: "I'm seeing a trend now with with us and it'll be interesting over the course between now and the end of the season in terms of that mentality.

‌

"We didn't start the game how we would want. We talked about being a top team and having talent, but it's also about having that drive and desire and ambition to win. Too many of our players have been too comfortable.

"There's no excuses. We have to give a big, big credit to St Johnstone, I don't want to make it all about us.

"But were disappointing in the games for me in terms of our attitude and quality in the first half. Second half, we were much more active in the game, but less mechanical and started to be more flexible, so that gave him the problem and the keeper make some brilliant saves.

‌

"But the first half, first off mentality and attitude is disappointing, and it's just around comfort. Comfortable's not a physical place, and if you get comfortable, then you don't do the things physically you need to. That is the nature of the game

"Whereas St Johnstone ran for their lives. They are at bottom, so they are defending for their life to stay in the league. Every point, every ball everything is important to them and they thoroughly deserve this win."

Speaking to the BBC, he added: "Bitterly disappointed just in terms of the start of the game. It's happened too many times. I've seen a trend now with us, and it will be interesting between now and the end of the season in terms of mentality. We didn't start the game how we wanted.

‌

"We talked about being a top team and having talent but also having drive, desire and ambition to win and having spirt, and too many of our players have been too comfortable.

"There's no excuse, we also have to give a big, big credit to St Johnstone. We were disappointed in the game in terms of our attitude. Their keeper has made some brilliant saves.

"The first-half mentality and attitude is disappointing. It's around comfort; comfortable is not a physical place and if you get comfortable, you don't do the things physically needed.

‌

"Whereas St Johnstone, I felt, ran for their lives. They thoroughly deserved the win. It's about your mindset, and that is something that concerns me."

Follow Record Sport on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for all of the up-to-the minute breaking news, video and audio on the SPFL, the Scotland national team and beyond.

You can get all the news you need on our dedicated Rangers and Celtic pages, and sign up to our newsletters to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season.

Article continues below

We're also on WhatsApp where we bring all the latest breaking news and transfer gossip directly to you phone. Join our Rangers community here and our Celtic community here.

Tune in to Hotline Live every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football and listen to Record Sport's newest podcast, Game On, every Friday for your sporting fix, all in bitesize chunks.

Click here to read article