BRENDAN Rodgers tonight admitted Celtic centre-half Auston Trusty has to deal with the physicality of Scottish football far better and branded his side’s performance in their 3-3 draw with Dundee “a bit soft”.
The Northern Irishman confessed that he was deeply unhappy with level of the Scottish champions’ display in the William Hill Premiership match with Tony Docherty’s team at Dens Park this evening.
The Parkhead side, who increased their lead over Rangers to 16 points despite failing to win, surrendered the lead twice during the course of the 90 minutes and needed an injury-time Arne Engels penalty to salvage a point.
Rodgers was concerned by how his side defended throughout the encounter and was alarmed when £6m summer signing Trusty allowed himself to get bullied off the ball at the Aaron Donnelly goal that put the hosts 3-2 ahead with 12 minutes remaining.
“We were very passive, especially second half,” he said. “The game should have been out of sight in the first half. We made a great start then we lost concentration at a set piece and our organisation allowed them to equalise.
“We got in front then I expect us to click through the gears, especially with that little slope going down towards our own supporters, but we defended really poorly.
“So it’s not what we expect when we consider how well we’ve defended and the aggression we’ve had but we fight till the end. A point isn’t what we want, but we have to take it and move on. “It’s basic stuff. It’s a game we let get away from us when there was no need. Sometimes when you have dominance and when you’re creating it can make you a bit passive. We don’t normally do that, but we certainly did tonight. “When they got that goal they had something to fight for. We just weren’t there in the duels and defensive work. Then it’s difficult to get that rhythm and speed when you have the ball. We weren’t great after the 40th minute, but we kept fighting and working and if you can’t win then don’t lose it.” Asked about Trusty at the third Dundee goal, Rodgers said: “You’ve got to deal with that better. You’ve got to stay on your feet, it’s as simple as that. You’re 6ft 4in, you have to deal with that better, but he knows and understands that. Across certain areas we went a bit soft.”
Adam Idah missed a great opportunity to put Celtic 2-0 ahead in the first half after Kyogo Furuhashi supplied him in front of the Dundee goal and the £9m striker has now gone 12 games without scoring.
Rodgers said: “We had good chances. We were switching the game well against their shape and had some good opportunities. We get the second goal then it can be a real good place in the game. We didn’t do that and we get punished. “My main worry is from a defensive perspective. It’s always difficult if you’re striker but if they’re pressing and running hopefully others will contribute.”
