Bhoys have gloom for improvement

BRENDAN’S NOT HAPPY WITH FANS NEGATIVITY

IT has been a slow burner. But after the hype of Brendan Rodgers’ return of as Celtic boss, some fans now believe the height of ambition is only to be that bit better than Rangers.

Supporters are facing the prospect of a somewhat barren landscape in the domestic campaign after the midweek exit from the Champions League and confirmation of no European football after Christmas.

It is a far cry from the Irishman’s season bucket list back in the summer when he was paraded as Ange Postecoglou’s replacement.

Social media criticism, fan forums full of discontent and a sense of onfield regression in recent months wasn’t factored into the brave new dawn when the Hoops hailed their returning boss and his plan to lift the club to a higher level.

But Rodgers has delivered a bullish response to the prophets of doom, insisting he’s focused on the bigger picture. He said: “There’s a sense of a narrative around the club at the moment that isn’t healthy, with the supporters and that side of it. But I only see a really positive future for us.

“I was disappointed after the result in Rome, of course, so you mourn that for 24 hours then you have to move on.

“Looking at my first six months here, I know the team can improve a great deal and also, having been here before, the rhythm of Celtic.

“Normally, there’s a couple of years when players are intense and maybe they’re looking for a move.

“But there’s still a lot of development in this group.” Rodgers accepts his club are environmentally challenged domestically but insists it shouldn’t prove such a handicap in Europe. He said: That’s the league, isn’t it? There’s different styles. In Europe there is more space, more dynamism in the game and physicality. It’s a different sport.”