Brendan Rodgers has admitted he wasn't surprised by Celtic's loss to St Johnstone in a telling statement after suffering defeat in Perth.
The Parkhead boss called out his players for failing to deal with expectation in the Scottish Premiership contest as Celtic passed up the opportunity to tee up a title party next week.
Celtic now cannot win the league crown against Kilmarnock next Saturday, the league title could be sealed if they beat Killie and Rangers lose against Aberdeen on Sunday.
Rodgers was angry at the result and performance in Perth as he questioned the desire to win from his players and suggested some were looking for an easy game and paid the price.
“We've got three sides of the ground today, all expectant," said Rodgers. "But I think what it's told me over the course of this season, especially this part of the season, is that expectation versus the underdog, and the players who can cope with that here, because it's easy when you're the underdog when you're playing in Champions League games and you're fighting and running.
“Playing at Celtic is about being able to deal with both. And the expectation and how we've started games, especially over this last little period, hasn't been good enough. But that tells me something as a coach.
“So no, I’m not overly surprised.
“There is definitely anger – I am just trying to control it.
“I look at my own self first and foremost. I'm proud of my career and how I teach players and how I inspire them, and how I motivate them.
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"The first look, I look at myself. I ask myself, ‘Am I doing the very best job I possibly can to inspire and motivate these players to get over the line?’
"So that's my first look. But I just think there's a comfort there I don't like, and it doesn't matter if you're 13 points or 3 points.
"It's not enough. We have to be much better than what we were in our ambition in the game.
“My intention always when I was here and come to this point is to sprint over the line and I've done that before and I know what it looks like, but I don't like that side of it in this team because for Celtic, it's winning the best way you possibly can, not just chugging your way over the line.
“So, we have no excuse.”
