Johnson hopes humiliation has his players hurting
Lee Johnson lashed into his players last night, describing Hibs performance at Celtic Park as one of the worst he had overseen in his managerial career.
“I am hugely disappointed. Clearly we don’t want to come here and be as timid as we were in the first half,” he said of the 6-1 defeat.
“There’s a fear factor there but that’s what we have to change. It is the hardest thing to change but it must be on a psychological level.
“We’ve still been outclassed but we tried to get to the ball apply pressure, scored a good goal.
“But the standard of goals we’re conceding – we would do well to put clips together from a Sunday park league.
“I’ve had nearly 500 games as a manager and this is one of the worst I’ve felt because of the goals and the lack of bog standard professional detail in the way we concede.
“I hope it hurts them enough to implement improvement and change.”
James Forrest netted three of the goals against Hibs and the contrast in the two men’s mood could not have been sharper.
“I’m delighted – first start of the season, helping the boys and getting another hattrick and 100 goals is unbelievable,” said the Celtic winger.
“I felt the manager said from the start he’d change the team once the season gets into it. I felt good the last couple of games coming on and felt ready for a start.
“My favourite goal has to be the hat-trick one, how I felt with that one and the fans after it – I’ll always remember that.
“If someone had said this to me when I got my first (in 2010) I would not have believed them.
“In football it’s crazy how one game can be so high then it goes low.
“But I think what I’ve done and how I’ve been there have been so many highs and it’s definitely been worth it.
“Grateful to be here so long and delighted I’ve contributed.”
A former Celtic favourite, Frank McGarvey, took to the pitch yesterday to thank the fans for the support he has been given since his cancer diagnosis.
“It was great to see him before the game as well as his kids,” said Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou, who watched the striker in his playing days.
“He’s going through a tough time but he had some strong words about what I needed to do which you wouldn’t be surprised to hear but he made it clear we should score in the first 20 minutes.
“Hopefully the win lifts his spirits.”