CELTIC players must have expected an instant and stinging rebuke from an irate manager after carelessly throwing away a two-goal lead and surrendering victory to Aberdeen at Parkhead yesterday.
Remarkably, they escaped in the immediate aftermath of Auston Trusty diverting a drive from Graeme Shinnie past the helpless Kasper Schmeichel for the Dons’ second goal in a crazy 10-minute spell that turned the contest on its head.
The Hoops’ errant stars probably anticipated being confronted with a furious gaffer on the touchline.
TAKING A BACK SEAT…Brendan Rodgers with John Kennedy in the dug-out.
The hosts might have awaited the predictable sight of a team boss with eyes bulging, nostrils flaring, arms waving and fingers pointing after their incredible lapse.
However, there was no sign of Brendan Rodgers on the touchline.
Curiously, the Irishman opted to remain seated in the dug-out with his assistant John Kennedy in the midst of onfield catastrophe.
Both looked more than a little transfixed at what they were witnessing.
In such circumstances, it would have been more than understandable if the team boss had bounced out of sitting area to yell instructions or tweak his tactics that had come unstuck against a Dons team that had altered their game plan.
IN WITH A SHOUT…Brendan Rodgers in his more familiar beat on the touchline.
Momentarily, though, was missing in action, despite it being fairly obvious his players urgently required a quick gee up, valuable advice and welcome commands.
None was forthcoming although Rodgers later returned to patrol his beat as the encounter climaxed at 2-2.
It had been a strange day altogether in the east end of Glasgow.