Breaking News: Brendan Rodgers Teetering on the Edge at Celtic! 3 Urgent Changes to Save His Job
Brendan Rodgers is too good a manager to be panicking yet – and will know a win against Motherwell this weekend can quickly change the mood music.
That’s the view of Paul Hartley who reckons their clash at Fir Park this weekend could flip the title momentum…just as it did for HIS Celtic team in 2008. The former Hoops midfielder was part of Gordon Strachan’s side who found themselves trailing Rangers by seven points heading into the final seven games of the season, but recovered to win the league – kickstarting a big finish to the season by thumping Motherwell 4-1 at Fir Park.
That’s where Rodgers takes his team this weekend and while the situation facing his side is nowhere near as stark this Sunday – should Rangers beat Hearts on Saturday, they will be looking to cut the gap back to two points – he certainly needs a similar result. Fans are beginning to turn on the Irishman but Hartley remembers it was a similar situation for Strachan, who recovered to win the league.
He told the Scottish Sun: “I remember the build-up to that Fir Park game clearly because the supporters were really unhappy. We had lost to Motherwell at Celtic Park the previous weekend, and some fans were calling for Gordon to be sacked.
“I remember we were booed off, and most people on the outside thought Rangers were going to win the title. By the time we arrived at Fir Park, we were seven points behind them, and we had also played a game more. There was no way we could drop any more points.
“There are parallels to the situation Celtic are currently in as they head back to Fir Park this weekend. They could be five points behind Rangers by Sunday, and while there is still a lot of football to be played, they can’t really afford to drop more points. We had to win at Fir Park in 2008 and it will be the same for Celtic this weekend.
“Every team and manager would love both, but getting a result is all that matters for Brendan Rodgers. I never thought our title hopes were over in 2008 and I certainly don’t think it’s over this season.”
Rodgers isn’t public enemy number one as far as punters are concerned – that is saved for higher up the ladder – but many are beginning to question whether bringing him back was the right call. Still, Hartley reckons he won’t be flapping yet. Because win on Sunday, and win the two remaining derbies against Rangers, and it is all in Celtic’s hands.
“Rangers have momentum and are playing well, but nobody should write this Celtic team off,” Hartley went on. “Their performances have taken a bit of a dip, but things can change so quickly at the top of the table. All it takes is one goal, one victory or defeat and suddenly the momentum changes.
“Celtic also have a strong record against Rangers and they still have to play each other twice. There will be twists and turns to come, but they do need to leave Fir Park with three points on Sunday — even just to change the mood a bit.
“Brendan won’t panic. He is far too good a manager. He was very honest after the Kilmarnock game last Saturday, and admitted Celtic didn’t put in the performance he wanted or expected. But he has good players and he is the ideal man to settle things down again.
“Brendan has won so much in his career and he will stay calm and clear. Gordon was the same in 2008 — he made things really simple. We knew it was a case of fighting and battling to get the wins. Myself and Barry Robson played together in midfield against Motherwell and it worked well.
“We won that game 4-1 and it was a real turning point. We had to play Rangers twice soon after, and we won both of them. Suddenly we had the momentum in the title race and we never looked back. Brendan will know that Celtic will need to be better moving forward, but there is a long way to go this season.”