CELTIC DEFENDER LIAM Scales admits it hurt to hear manager Brendan Rodgers claim he was unsurprised by their poor performance in defeat by Hearts.
The Ireland international believes he and his team-mates will be stung into action by Rodgers’ assessment when they host Livingston on Saturday.
It was a first domestic defeat at Celtic Park for almost three years but a second consecutive loss in the Scottish Premiership – the first time the champions have lost back-to-back league games in more than a decade.
Celtic had already drawn at home to St Johnstone and Motherwell this season and Rodgers had revealed he was the angriest he had ever been as a manager when his side trailed in Perth weeks earlier.
Scales was among a small group of players Rodgers absolved of blame following Celtic’s 2-0 defeat by Hearts but he believes the assessment will spark them out of complacency.
Scales said: “I can see where he’s coming from. It’s not nice to hear but obviously performances haven’t been where they should probably be. He makes a good point.
“It does hurt as a player to hear that. We need to change that and not let that be the case again.
“We feel like sometimes we expect it to just happen. Just playing at home or against teams in the league, just expecting it to happen without going out and taking it by the horns and being aggressive and going and winning.
“We can’t just show up and that’s maybe where we need to brush up.”
Defeats by Kilmarnock and Hearts have seen Celtic’s lead at the top of the table cut to two points.
Rangers have a game in hand and are unbeaten in 15 matches under Philippe Clement with the Viaplay Cup also back at Ibrox for the first time in 13 seasons.
Celtic fans are concerned about their team’s form, especially with a game against Rangers to come on 30 December before Rodgers has the chance to strengthen his squad.
However, Scales is confident they will get back to their best quickly.
“It’s been a tough week getting to grips with it,” said Scales at the announcement that the Celtic FC Foundation’s Christmas Appeal had raised £397,000 for charities in Scotland and Ireland.
“We’re getting over it and we know we need to bounce back. We are working hard to do that. We’ve had a week to prepare which is unusual with the schedule we have. We’ve been using the week well to go over things and fine-tune things for the upcoming games.
“We know it’s not good enough for Celtic. The pressure is there and you know you need to win games and anything but a win isn’t good enough.
“Over the course of a season it’s not disastrous, if we bounce back and do well it should be fine. But it’s been a tough week and we just need to fix it now.
“It’s in our hands to turn it around. It’s a minor blip in the course of the season and we need to turn the corner and get over it. It’s not a complete disaster.”
How was Porter not nominated. The stand out scrummager and ball carrier.
Because there are only 5 places and they seem to be spreading the nomination across 5 different Countries. He has been excellent too, though.
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Deegan has been brilliant all tournament and scored one of the tries of the competition in the semis. Let’s make sure to get our votes in while they’re all asleep in New Zealand.
I think having the public vote is unfair, it means England will probably win it on the basis of having a bigger population and just a case of blind voting.
You should probably click the link Cathal; it’s a wall of votes for Deegan.
I have clicked it ( Im one of the voters on that wall) great to see! If Malinder wins it it will be a disgrace, for me Deegan is the clear winner and if anyone wins then the IRFU should complain tbh.
Good man Cathal. Hopefully we will have plenty to celebrate come Saturday night.
God yes, i’d actually prefer us win this match than the series in SA (Although I would prefer we win both!)
I know World rugby like to spread the candidates by nation but I feel 1 player isn’t enough, Porter and Ryan had to also been in the running and I’m only naming a few!
He may have shine in a few games but he’s far from our best player.. Was terrible during the 6 nations, in fact was dropped and very average for Lansdowne 20s this season
The 6 nations isn’t relevant in a player of the tournament poll.
It’s an award for player of the tournament , therefore how he played during the 6 nations or for Lansdowne is irrelevant
I don’t get what the 6 Nations has to do with his brilliant performances in the under 20 World Rugby championship?? But maybe you can fill us in.
But he’s not been nominated for his six nations performances…This is for the world championship….where he’s been ireland stand out player.if you say he hasn’t had a great season does that not make his performances all the better?
Marc. That is a very interesting comment. Did he play 20s all season without playing AIL?
Christiaan he played both AIL and 20s , won the 20s cup with Landsdowne, delighted he’s playing well and nominated, just stating the facts on his 6 Nations and club form.. How Porter and Stockdale aren’t nominated beggars belief.. Constantly brilliant
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Vote Deegan
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