GOOD TIMES
looked certain to slam it home from close range but his shot was somehow bundled behind.
The most positive aspect of Celtic’s first half was Kieran Tierney’s growing influence down the left. But Tierney and Brown aside, the rest of them deserved a rocket from Rodgers.
Two minutes after the restart the manager emphasised the point by pulling subs Scott Sinclair and Mikey Johnston to the touchline for an in-depth tactical discussion. But not even the sight of this was enough to get the desired reaction.
Rogic could have got the party going moments later after nicking the ball in the middle of the park and charging forward.
He had Callum McGregor and Edouard for company – at least one of whom was better placed for a crack at goal – but ignored both and fired a shot straight at Hansen.
And in 57 minutes Rogic was told to step aside along with James Forrest as Sinclair and Johnston were given the chance to make a difference to Celtic’s attacking tempo.
Less than five minutes later Johnston was tearing down Celtic’s right to send over a cross which Sinclair hooked wide on the volley.
Not the breakthrough Rodgers had been hoping for perhaps but a muchneeded statement of intent all the same – a sign of life.
Craig Gordon could have spent the second half in with the Green Brigade. At least he would have felt more involved there.
Finally, 15 minutes from time Griffiths was also given the chance to contribute and when he replaced Edouard he entered the field to a roar of approval. They don’t tend to question Rodgers regularly around here but it did feel as if they had been growing impatient waiting for the striker’s introduction.
But the next chance to present itself did so at the feet of Johnston who swept Tierney’s measured cut-back over the top with a rushed first-time effort.
Then, with less than three minutes left, Brown launched a ball into the box, Dedryck Boyata won the first header and Griffiths darted into the six-yard box to make himself a hero all over again.