Celtic booed off as they continue worst start in 20 years in defeat to Kilmarnock while Rangers leapfrog Bhoys
Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers admits he is having the toughest challenge yet at Parkhead
BRENDAN RODGERS admits the heat is now on at Celtic after players were booed by their own fans.
The Hoops’ last-gasp 2-1 defeat at Kilmarnock means they are off to their worst start to a league season in 20 years.
Boss Rodgers reckons turning around their erratic start is his toughest job yet.
He said: “Celtic fans should be alarmed.
“It is. It’s a challenge. We have to accept that. There’s no doubt we need to be better.
“That’s when you show you’re a Celtic player, manager or member of staff. You come together. When you lose games the spotlight will always be on you.
“You need to do the basics right. The basics cost us this time. We’re the only ones who can make it better and get more consistent results.
“The start has been very bitty but we have to go away and see where we can be better.”
The Hoops took a 34th minute lead when Leigh Griffiths bundled home after miskicks from Kirk Broadfoot and Greg Taylor.
But Killie hit back in dramatic style and levelled through Chris Burke’s 64th minute drive.
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Then, in the fourth minute of injury-time, Stuart Findlay lost Jack Hendry and crashed home a 94th minute winner.
Celtic have now managed just one away win in their last seven away trips – the League Cup victory over Championship Partick Thistle.
Rodgers – who made SIX changes from the side which beat Rosenborg - said: “I’ve been there when we’ve scored enough late goals.
“It’s always sore when you lose it late but we’ve got no-one else to blame but ourselves. I’d have been disappointed to draw but to lose is bitterly disappointing.
“It was a scrappy sort of game but I still feel we had the better moments and more control. Two basic situations cost us. I’m so disappointed.
“I take the responsibility for that. You make the changes to try to bring that energy and brightness which might not be there if you’ve played on Thursday.
“But it was still difficult. Kilmarnock will always be deep and in their blocks set so you’ve got to be able to run beyond them and get behind.”
Hendry was a late replacement for Filip Benkovic, who now faces a scan on his Achilles. Rodgers – still to beat Steve Clarke as a boss in Scotland - added: “He unfortunately felt it in the warmup.
“He had an issue with it eight months ago. On the surface he felt it tighten so he wasn’t fit to play.
“We will have to see how that is. Hopefully it’s not too bad. From being injured before he perhaps felt the same sensation.
“It was right he didn’t want to risk it. He will have a scan and we will see where we are at.”