Sky Sports viewers got a glimpse of the other side of Brendan Rodgers today- after he confronted his comfortable players at half-time.
Celtic put in a nothing first half to trail 1-0 at St Johnstone with the only shot on target coming from David Turnbull.
It was another passive, slow and predictable 45 minutes from the hoops, similar to last week’s draw with Motherwell and the goal-less draws with St Johnstone and Hibs earlier in the campaign.
Mikey Johnston replacing Yang Hyun-jun was the only substitution but the tempo was upped after the break, the ball was forced forward at pace with the Saints defence unable to contain their new look opponents.
Callum McGregor and Matt O’Riley put Celtic in front before a stoppage time goal from James Forrest applied a gloss to the scoreline.
Rodgers wasn’t prepared to overlook or forget the first half with fans watching on telly treated to a very different side of the Celtic boss.
It was a really good reaction in the second half. It’s probably the angriest I’ve ever been at half time in my career as a manager.
The first half, the intent, we were too comfortable and nowhere near it. The second half was what I would expect. There was a much better energy and tempo to the game.
Callum McGregor was absolutely brilliant in the second half and his goal, which looked like it was coming, sparked the reaction.
It’s ambition. Some players just want to be too comfortable and just do enough, it’s not enough at this club. You have to have that mentality and intensity from that first whistle. But the reaction was really good.
We just can’t drop at this club. The standards are very high and have been set over many years.
On Wednesday Celtic host Hibs in the SPFL before a return to Kilmarnock on Sunday where they lost in the League Cup back in August.
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