Back off Boyd..Celts will stick to winning formula
Gaffer responds to Killie hitman’s jibe
BRENDAN RODGERS last night took full blame for Celtic’s slump as he hit back at Kris Boyd’s claim that Scottish football has got the Hoops sussed.
The defiant manager insists he is not alarmed by the situation and will never change his blueprint for success. Rodgers also
dismissed Boyd’s claims of a lack of unity within the camp as he vowed Celtic will get back to full power doing it their way.
The champions have made their worst start to a top-flight campaign in 20 years and their erratic form has brought criticism ahead of tonight’s Betfred Cup tie at St Johnstone.
Rodgers accepts the responsibility but hit back at the snipers over his perceived lack of a Plan B.
The manager ridiculed such theories and insisted he won’t compromise on a formula that has secured back-to-back Trebles in his first two seasons.
On the blame game, Rodgers said: “I take responsibility 100 per cent.
“If I analyse over the two games I have lost in the league, it probably comes on the number of changes I made looking to change the dynamic.
“I pick the players. When you lose it is the manager’s responsibility.”
On his methods, Rodgers added: “We have a stable blueprint of how we win games.
“In the last couple of years, when we work to that blueprint, we can win and win well.
“At this moment in time there has been a period when it hasn’t worked.
“Has it been to the standards we set a couple of years ago? Not quite but you have to stay calm.
“You have beliefs. Your club invest in the types of players in terms of how you play and work.
“I hear all this. But if you are an attacking coach you are an attacking coach. Whenever you don’t score as regularly as you do, that may get deemed you don’t have a Plan B.
“What is Plan B? Normally it is the total reversal of what you do.
“Any manager worth his salt has a plan to win.
“If you start changing it then I would always question the strength of a manager’s confidence in terms of how they work.
“One thing you can never have is doubt. If you fall into that trap you have an issue, a problem. I’ve worked in coaching since age 20 and these are principles I believe in.
“They have brought us success so I don’t think there’s any need to change.
“Of course you tweak. You do that lots within games. From time to time it has been a wee bit stiff and rigid but us at our best there’s lots of variety.
“We will always look to maintain our identity as a big club. You have impose your game and look to win. There is no compromise.”
On the issue of unity, he took aim at Boyd and said: “Kris is probably best suited trying to get into the Kilmarnock team and we will concentrate on our own job here. We are very much unified.
“When you lose a game, either there is something up in the dressing room or you don’t have a Plan B.”
Rodgers also concerned Celtic fans when he admitted after Rugby Park they should be alarmed.
He said: “I probably never explained myself well enough. If you have lost two games in your first six they will be alarmed at that. But in terms of the bigger picture I’m staying calm with it all.
“Will fans be alarmed? Yes they will. Am I? No.
“We will get better and it is my responsibility to ensure we do.”