Celtic stumbled to their first domestic home defeat of the season as city rivals Rangers won 2-1 to close the gap at the top of the Scottish Premiership to just two points.
Following the smash ‘n grab Betfred Cup final victory, it was expected that a more pro-active Hoops side would take to the field and reassert themselves as the dominant force in Scottish football, but it wasn’t to be as Celtic head into the winter break disappointed despite winning the only silverware of the season so far and topping the league.
Neil Lennon will be looking for reinforcements as, worryingly, his side looked bereft of ideas with James Forrest and Ryan Christie anonymous for large parts of the game and Christopher Jullien having to be deployed as an auxiliary target man in the later stages of the game in an act of desperation.
Did Lennon get it wrong against Rangers or were players to blame?
Lennon
Players
Fans of the Parkhead side were left angry at the lack of quality and commitment shown by their side and took to social media to vent their frustrations, Forrest and Lennon both on the receiving end of some harsh words.
We need more physicality in the team. We are far too lightweight in certain areas. If Forrest is not on his game he offers nothing in these matches. He has to be perhaps left out next time we play them.
— Longshaw (@youhavingalaugh) December 29, 2019
Every player should be embarrassed
— Kian🐐 (@Kian_Singleton) December 29, 2019
Forrest has been rubbish against Rangers so the manager should be making the call to leave him out of these games, never makes a tackle, hides the for the whole game
— Ronan McHugh (@romchugh) December 29, 2019
Steven Davis ran the show today in our own backyard. Shocking. Rangers deserved there 3 points today. We were absolutely abysmal need to waken up pronto.
— . (@_French_Eddy_) December 29, 2019
Tactically inept when it was clear it wasn’t working. Lennon is not a good manager in adversity. Never has never will be
— steven (@Beaumontbhoy) December 29, 2019
Never wanted him still dont want him and fans are blinded because of the past.
Constantly plays players out of position for so long then changes it for this huge game.
At least play this team to prepare for today.
Then his subs when we need to win WOW!— holymolybolingoli (@PoeticJusticee) December 29, 2019
Celtic have a few weeks to recover and regroup, there is still a long way to go and league titles are never won in December, a close title challenge is on the cards this season but you don’t win ten consecutive trophies without having an incredible team spirit – something they will need to embrace if they are to overcome this latest challenge.