Rodgers issues apologies to Celtic fans following derby defeat

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has issued an apology to the Celtic supporters after the champions 3-2 derby loss at Parkhead on Sunday.

The Hoops didn’t perform to expectations as they succumbed to defeat for the second consecutive all-Glasgow affair, and, bewilderingly, they have now conceded nine goals in three games against their city foes.

Kasper Schmeichel had to retrieve the ball from his net three times in the 3-3 Premier Sports League Cup Final at Hampden in December before Rodgers’ men won the silverware 5-4 on penalty-kicks.

That was followed a couple of weeks later with a 3-0 flop at Ibrox, and now the Danish keeper suffered an identical fate after Hamza Igamane was presented with a late third and winning goal in the latest defeat.

The hosts were two goals adrift at the interval after an early header from Nico Raskin, and then a close-range drive from Mohamed Diomande had given Barry Ferguson’s side an unlikely advantage.

Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate had Celtic all-square after the turnaround as they chased victory before Cameron Carter-Vickers made a mess at an attempted header from a center-forward Jack Butland’s goal-kick down the middle.

Alistair Johnston slipped as the ball ran to Igamane, and then the Canadian made a half-hearted attempt at a tackle.

The Moroccan accepted the gift and clattered an unstoppable effort high past the stranded Schmeichel.

Speaking in the post match interview, Rodgers first statement was an apology to the Celtic fans. 

“We are sorry, this is because we always want to win games here and against our big rivals, so, for them, it’s not a great feeling.

The Celtic manager expressed his feelings towards the players after the game, encouraging them to be better.

“In every aspect of the game, we have to be much better.

“Also, as a team hoping to be a champion this year, we’ve got to go and show that we’re a champion and work hard to earn it.” he added.

The champions, in pursuit of their fourth successive title, are 13 points clear with only eight games to play, and their next encounter following the international break will be against Hearts at Parkhead in 12 days’ time.