Rodgers points finger at Saints players after Hoops draw blank

CELTIC boss Brendan Rodgers claims St Johnstone players should be asked questions after ending a poor run of form with their second draw of the season at Parkhead.

Tommy Wright’s side drew 1-1 at Celtic Park in August but had won only one of their previous eight games since beating Rangers at Ibrox in December - against Albion Rovers in the William Hill Scottish Cup — before they arrived in Glasgow to hold out for a goalless draw against a much-changed Hoops side.

Asked what problems the CELTIC: De Vries, Gamboa, Hendry, Ajer, Miller (Tierney, 79 mins), Kouassi, Rogic (Forrest, 61 mins), McGregor, Musonda, Edouard (Dembele, 74 mins), Sinclair. Unused subs: Bain, Simunovic, McInroy, Ralston. STJOHNSTONE: Mannus, Shaughnessy, Kerr, Anderson, Foster (Tanser, 59 mins), Alston, Perth club pose Celtic, the Northern Irishman, who described the result as “fair”, said: “I think there is questions there for Tommy’s players.

“Tommy’s a fantastic manager but I am sure he walks away happy with a point but probably really Miller (Craig, 89 mins), Davidson, Wotherspoon, Williams (Willock, 65 mins), MacLean. Unused subs: Clark, Johnstone, McLean, Kane Referee: John Beaton

Man of the match: Kristoffer Ajer

Match rating: 4/10

frustrated. How can you win a game 3-1 at Ibrox in December 16, not win a game right the way through, apart from the Albion game then your next big result is away at Celtic?

“So I think the question goes with the St Johnstone players.

“Today you’ve seen them organised, committed, fighting, running — doing all of that.

“If they do that in every game they would probably win a lot more games.”

Rodgers had no regrets about making seven changes to the side which started in the 1-0 win over Zenit St Petersburg on Thursday night.

Hoops fans were boosted by the return of midfielder Tom Rogic for the first time since December 5 following his recovery from a knee injury with Cristian Gamboa, Jack Hendry, Calvin Miller, Charly Musonda, Odsonne Edouard and Scott Sinclair also back in.

“You have to be careful, we have so many games,” said Rodgers, who now turns his attention to the second leg of their Europa League last 32 clash with the Russian side on Thursday night.

Wright, whose side finished the day one point behind eighthplaced Dundee, said: “We have had performances like that at other stadiums but not often enough.

“We are still unbeaten after playing them twice here and that performance should give the confidence to kick on for the rest of the season.

“We will not focus too much on the top six. We are looking to string some results together.” Mind games: Brendan Rodgers spoke about opponents’ play