Rodgers' Depleted Celtic Squad Produced An Exceptional Performance This Morning.
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When I mentioned that I was unsure about watching the game, you probably didn't think I was serious, right? I definitely planned on watching it.
Even though no new players were in the starting line-up - a shameful sign of a board of directors that seems to be openly disrespecting the fans and the manager - the entire performance had a fast-paced energy that was lacking in previous seasons.
We started off strong this morning, playing like the team that dominated the final matches of last season and achieved our goal of winning the double.
If the style of play continues like this, I believe we are in for an enjoyable season, possibly even a fantastic one if the club executives can prioritize signing new players instead of focusing on their own achievements.
I want to share with you, there were a few standout performances that really caught my eye. O’Riley was exceptional and scored two great goals. Palma impressed me in the first half. Kuhn showed a lot more promise. I thought Iwata was outstanding. But what really stood out to me were our two young defenders – Anderson and Donovan – who almost stole the spotlight in the first half. I thought they both looked fantastic; they were assertive, played with purpose, dribbled well, and distributed the ball effectively.
In the latter part of the game, James Forrest really stood out, performing exceptionally well with a goal and an assist, continuing his form from the previous season. For those who doubt his abilities, I say think again.
Let's talk about Kyogo for a moment. He was quick and nimble on the field, causing a lot of problems for the opposing team's defense. His performance was filled with energy and excitement. We should protect this player and make sure he stays healthy until we have a proper replacement for him. It's unacceptable that we haven't found a backup for him yet.
The manager assembled a team this morning that played with high energy and excitement, making it a pleasure to watch from beginning to end. Johnston unfortunately missed a penalty, which is a concern moving forward into the season. Yang had a chance to score right at the end, and if we had scored six or seven goals, it would have been well-deserved.
The game ended with a score of four-nil, which didn't fully show how dominant we were against a strong opponent. There will be tougher challenges in the upcoming games, but we were able to impress our American supporters and bring back a positive vibe.
However, I must emphasize that the football department deserves all the praise, and I have no regrets saying that. Those in higher positions than Rodgers should not think their job performance this summer was satisfactory in any way.
No matter what immature or arrogant nonsense is happening behind the scenes, whether it's an attempt to send a message about the head of recruitment leaving or something else, these individuals need to get their act together quickly. It's unacceptable for us to have a weaker team in July compared to the end of last season. This situation is truly terrible and reflects poorly on those in charge above the manager. It makes them look incompetent at best and dangerous at worst.
They should be embarrassed by their actions.