RODGERS BLASTS BACK AT CRITICS

BRENDAN RODGERS has accused some critics of trying to “dismantle” his relationship with the Celtic board.

The Hoops boss explained the transfer situation after missing out on John McGinn who moved to Aston Villa in a £2.75million deal earlier in the month.

Rodgers said: “We’ve had a couple of targets we haven’t been able to get.

“But I’ve always had a very, very good relationship with the board and that’s the same, even though some people will try to dismantle that.

“We want to improve the team and we’ve got ’til the end of August to do that.

“If we don’t, I work with the talented players we have here.”

The Irishman watched the holders overcome Championship outfit Partick Thistle 3-1 in the Betfred League Cup-tie at Firhill yesterday, but later admitted he hadn’t been impressed, as CQNreported yesterday.

Two goals in two minutes from Moussa Dembele and Tom Rogic ensured the Hoops, who haven’t lost a game in the competition since the arrival of Rodgers in May 2016, a place in the last eight of the competition.

Leigh Griffiths had fired in the opener – his 99th goal for the club – before Andrea Mbuyi-Mutombo equalised in the 73rd minute.

Rodgers said: “I was more concerned with our performance.

“Our pressing was too passive and our identity is very much around aggression and intensity in our press and we were nowhere near that.

“It’s been a brilliant couple of seasons here and we can still have that this season.

“However, on the back of a long week, it’s something that can prey on the players’ mind, but this will be good for their confidence.”