Despite Celtic’s 7-1 defeat in Germany this past week, former striker Chris Sutton believes that Brendan Rodgers should not be heavily criticized by fans. Sutton argues that while Celtic were outplayed by a superior team, they at least attempted to approach the game with a positive mindset.
Sutton suggests that Rodgers should only face backlash if such heavy defeats become a common occurrence in the Champions League under his management. He emphasizes the importance of learning from the loss and adapting strategies when necessary.
In his column for the Daily Record, Sutton points out that captain Callum McGregor acknowledged the need for Celtic to recognize when a game is slipping away and adjust their tactics accordingly. He emphasizes the importance of shutting down the opposition during difficult periods to avoid such embarrassing scorelines.
Sutton draws comparisons to his own experiences as a player, highlighting the pain of such defeats and the lessons that can be learned from them. He stresses the importance of adapting strategies to suit the circumstances, as demonstrated by Unai Emery’s successful approach against Bayern Munich.
Ultimately, Sutton calls for a reassessment of Celtic’s approach when facing superior opponents in order to avoid similar humbling defeats in the future. He acknowledges the levels in football and the need for flexibility in tactics to compete against higher powers.
