Brendan Rodgers claimed he had never been angrier as a manager after watching Celtic’s “soft” first-half performance in a 3-1 cinch Premiership comeback win over St Johnstone.
Celtic trailed at half-time after conceding from an inswinging corner for the second weekend running. Diallang Jaiyesimi got the final touch as the champions struggled to deal with Graham Carey’s delivery and the aftermath.
David Turnbull had Celtic’s sole shot on target in the first half as Saints threatened to take more points off the league leaders following a goalless Parkhead draw in August.
With Mikey Johnston off the bench for Yang Hyun-jun, the visitors were much improved after the break. Callum McGregor and Matt O’Riley netted with powerful strikes before substitute James Forrest scored on the counter-attack in stoppage-time after Jay Turner-Cooke had come close at the other end.
But Rodgers said: “I’m still angry, if I’m honest. The first half was nowhere near what you expect from a Celtic player and team. Just the level of intensity and ambition in the game, the speed, we were absolutely nowhere near it.
“We got bullied for the goal and we were soft in everything, with and without the ball. Half-time was the angriest I’ve ever been as a manager.
“People who have been around me will know I’m normally very calm. It was nothing tactical – this was about desire and what it takes to play for this club.
“Thankfully in the second half the players were brilliant. Callum McGregor was outstanding and I got more of the energy and ambition that I want.
“It was what I expected in the first half. We’d gone a game-and-a-half and not scored, with the greatest of respect, against St Johnstone.
“Craig (Levein) had organised his team well and they got their goal from the set-piece that we were soft at. I expect much more from us.
“Second half, it was a real testament to the players, because they could have folded and been nervy, but they got to the level I demand from them.
“They were fantastic goals and we could have had more. It’s a reminder that if you go soft, if you go timid against any team, they can hurt you.”
Craig Levein was disappointed by the turnaround but encouraged by his side’s overall display.
“We did a lot of good things and defended really well,” the Saints manager said.
“We’ve lost to two wonderful pieces of skill. Those two goals were like a kick in the whatsits. The last goal I’m not bothered up – we were gung-ho by then.”
Levein added: “One of the things I’m confident we can improve is our fitness.
“We tired a bit in the second half, which is understandable. There’s a lot of concentration needed to cut off passing lines, close spaces and defend the box in the right areas. That’s tiring.
“But I know we can get fitter – and that will help us in our quest to climb the table.”
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Max Dowman : look and learn Gabi Arsenal 2 Champions Mikel Merino : Me again When Gabriel met Gyokeres YOU CAN CHANGE THE MAN BUT NOT THE IDEA This Rashford Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, NoContextChe1, FootballLaughss)...
The 24-year-old has been locked in talks with the North London club over a new deal with his current contract set to expire in the summer of 2027.Several reports have suggested that Real Madrid are keeping tabs on the situation as they seek to bolster their aging and injury-prone backline.When asked about his future and whether he will be signing a new deal at the Emirates, Saliba gave a positive ...
Bayern Munich have agreed to a €75 million ($88 million) deal to sign winger Luis Diaz from Liverpool, sources told ESPN.Diaz missed Liverpool's friendly defeat against AC Milan on Saturday due to ongoing speculation linking him with a move away from Anfield this summer and has now been granted permission to leave the Reds' preseason tour of Asia.Sources told ESPN that Diaz first signaled a ...
The Champions League winners have been in talks with Donnarumma, 26, over a new deal for the past few months but are growing frustrated with the lack of progress.Donnarumma will enter into the final year of his contract with PSG in 2025-26 and the club are now coming to terms with the fact they may have to sign a replacement in the near future.According to L'Equipe, they have agreed personal terms...
Liverpool preparing 'record proposal' for Isak after Diaz exitLiverpool are reportedly lining up a 'record proposal' for Newcastle United star Alexander Isak following the almost confirmed sale of Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich. The Reds are keen to reinvest the £65 million fee from Diaz's exit and the Swedish striker is now their top target. The 25-year-old has ruled out a switch to Saudi Arabia...
England ratings Spain GFXAfter winning Euro 2022 in incredibly dramatic fashion, the holders took it to another level by beating La Roja on penalties to keep the trophyIt had to be Chloe Kelly, didn't it? After delivering the Lionesses' first European Championship title three years ago at Wembley in what seemed to be the most dramatic of circumstances, the winger took it one step further on Sunday...
Vissel Kobe v FC Barcelona - Preseason FriendlyBarcelona completed the loan move for Marcus Rashford from Manchester United earlier this week, and the England winger has already made his debut for Hansi Flick's side. Rashford came on as a substitute in the Catalan side's 3-1 win over Vissel Kobe in Japan, and the 27-year-old loanee has received loads of love from cules for his strong showing off t...
Juventus FC v Wydad AC: Group G - FIFA Club World Cup 2025Manchester United and Chelsea reportedly remain interested in Paris Saint-Germain's Randal Kolo Muani after ruling out signing Alexander Isak.WHAT HAPPENED?According to Gazetta Dello Sport, Juventus are expected to send a new offer for Kolo Muani but United and Chelsea could provide stiff competition for the 26-year-old. This comes days aft...
The 2025 Met Gala Celebrating "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" - ArrivalsThe Chicago Fire defender and Grammy Award-winning artist participated in a post-match jersey exchange at Soldier FieldOcean Drive Art Of The Party 2024WHAT HAPPENEDSam Rogers and Chance the Rapper completed a jersey swap on the pitch at Soldier Field following Chicago Fire's 1-0 home victory against the New York Red Bulls....
LA Galaxy v San Diego FCThe former USMNT star called on MLS leadership to make changes to the league's season schedule ahead of the FIFA World CupInter Miami CF v FC CincinnatiWHAT HAPPENEDWith the 2026 World Cup less than a year away, former MLS star Alexi Lalas says the league should capitalize on the opportunity and implement the much-discussed change to a fall-to-spring schedule, aligning with...
- 1 Chelsea Deny Late Move to Hijack Man United Deal for Bryan Mbeumo
- 2 AC Milan Reach Agreement with Brighton for Pervis Estupinan Transfer
- 3 Loris Karius lifts lid on relationship with Diletta Leotta
- 4 Jack Grealish shares sweet holiday snaps as girlfriend stuns in a yellow maxi dress
- 5 Newcastle Look to Hijack Spurs Move for Evann Guessand Amid Transfer Stalemate
- 6 Man City make move for Jules Kounde
- 7 Enzo Fernandez agrees Real Madrid move
- 8 Man City to re-sign Trafford in $36M deal
- 9 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 10 Transfer news & rumours LIVE