Fans have started to hold the club’s leadership accountable, demanding clarity on where things are going wrong and what’s being done about it.
Between a summer window that didn’t deliver and reports of a senior figure briefing against Brendan Rodgers, the problems are running deep. Supporters are growing impatient, calling for changes across the board.
Celtic’s European campaign has been another low point, first with an early exit from the Champions League at the hands of Kairat Almaty, then a disappointing loss to Braga in the Europa League on home soil.
Speaking about Celtic’s struggles onThe Scottish Football Social Club [43m], Michael Stewart pointed out that internal issues are taking their toll on performances. He said:
Michael Stewart blames ‘some of the board and the manager’ for Celtic’s ‘civil war’
Stewart hasn’t held back in his assessment of why things are going wrong, pointing to issues that go beyond just what happens on the pitch.
He said, “I think there’s a multitude of reasons and it all really stems back to the summer transfer window.
“When you’re in a changing room and you’re needing strengthened and you’re always needing to add fresh blood and you’ve got some of your bigger players have also been moving on and they’re not replaced.
“That creates a general negativity anyway, even on a subconscious level. Then you’ve got the civil war and let’s be honest, there was a bit of a civil war going on between some of the board and the manager and there’s statements going back and forward.
“It’s all sort of veiled comments. These things have clearly had an impact on the team as a whole and the atmosphere and the synergy.
“The manager spoke a lot about that before about everybody needing to work in the same direction and have that synergy.
Michael Stewart’s Celtic view missed one key point
While the headlines about the tension between the Celtic board and Brendan Rodgers haven’t helped, it doesn’t feel right to put any of that blame on the manager.
Rodgers had already made it clear he wanted reinforcements. When those didn’t come, he was open about it with supporters through the media.
READ MORE: Hugh Keevins lifts lid on bizarre text sent to him mid-match about Brendan Rodgers
The decision by someone within the club to go behind his back and speak to the press is what really escalated things. That’s not something Rodgers can be blamed for.
Most of what’s gone wrong at Celtic this season can’t be pinned on Rodgers, and most fans understand that all too well.
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