OUR SLUMP COULD LAST ALL SEASON

Kilmarnock v Celtic

BRENDAN RODGERS has admitted Celtic are nowhere near the dizzying heights they have set for themselves over the past two years – and warned fans the slump might last for an entire season.

Rodgers aired his growing concerns after the champions laboured to a 1-0 Europa League win over Rosenborg on Thursday night thanks to a late winner from sub Leigh Griffiths.

The manager must now attempt to re-energise his players ahead of tomorrow’s perilous SPFL encounter on Kilmarnock’s plastic pitch.

But Rodgers (inset) admits there has been an alarming lack of energy and dynamism about Celtic so far this season and fears it could continue to slow his team up as they push for an eighth successive league crown.

He said: “I don’t think we are anywhere near the level of our game. The win on Thursday was probably down to spirit and persistence.

“I said last week at St Mirren, even with 10 men, we were dominant. But it’s just that final third. It’s a mixture of confidence and not being dynamic enough at times. We’re not being decisive enough in games.

“Whilst we are not conceding – that’s five games when we have not conceded – you just have to keep going. You have to be persistent and you have to trust right to the very end that we will get the goal.”

When asked if he can put his finger on the reason for the drop in his team’s attacking tempo, Rodgers went on: “I’m not sure. It’s a bit of everything really. We’ve lost dynamic players. We have had lots of games.

“We just have to continue to work hard on the training field and win games like the other night when you are not at your best. Being able to win and not give away much is important because that helps your confidence and you grow and grow from there.

“You would hope the dynamism returns as we win more games.

“The squad are very honest, a brilliant bunch of boys to work with. We haven’t been as dynamic as we have been in the last couple of years.

“It might be a season for us like that but we will always find a way and try to find a solution to perform well.” SCOTS PREM TABLE: SEE PULLOUT