Brendan Rodgers ‘too good’ to panic but Callum McGregor needs Celtic help…

A veteran of championship races has encouraged the Northern Irishman to maintain composure and win.

Paul Hartley played for a Celtics team that was jeered by supporters when it seemed like the championship was going away, but they turned things around and took the league.

The former midfield player believes Brendan Rodgers is this time’s version of Gordon Strachan, who was the perfect person to have in charge back then because he was cool under pressure. With several games remaining, the Cove Rangers manager claims the Northern Irishman is “far too good” to be panicking because they have given up their advantage and let Rangers to move ahead by two points.

Following the draw with Kilmarnock the previous weekend, Rodgers was forthright in acknowledging that things weren’t good enough, and Hartley believes he is the perfect candidate to stay in charge. In his personal experience, winning every game meant scoring as many points as possible; performances were secondary, but there are parallels in that they couldn’t afford to make any more mistakes.

Brendan will remain calm. He’s a manager who is just too talented,” Hartley told the Scottish Sun. “After Saturday’s match against Kilmarnock, he was extremely forthright in admitting that Celtic didn’t give him the performance he was hoping for or expecting. But he is the perfect guy to get things back to normal since he has quality players.

“Brendan will remain composed and unambiguous. He has achieved great success in his profession. Gordon remained consistent in 2008, simplifying things to a great extent.

“We were aware that winning would need constant struggle. Playing together in midfield against Motherwell, Barry Robson and I had a good game.

“That game, which we won 4-1, was a true turning moment for us. Not too long later, we had to face Rangers twice, and we won both games.

“We never looked back once we suddenly acquired the upper hand in the championship race. Brendan is aware that Celtic has to improve going forward, but the season is still early.

Hartley believes that although captain Callum McGregor has led the club through many situations in the past and is capable of doing so again, he needs other players to stand up to support him.

“Callum is a leader and he will need to drag players with him,” he said. He’s led Celtic to victory admirably, and there’s no way he’ll give up the championship without a fight. He needs assistance, however. Now is the moment for each player to take a stance and be counted.

“Everyone must contribute, regardless of status—new signings or seasoned players alike. That played a major role in our 2008 league victory.

“Everyone had a part in that run-in, from Scott McDonald up forward to Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Artur Boruc in goal. Players took the stage and gave it their best. Celtic needs that from now till May.

This season, injuries have hindered them, and any club would be sad to lose important players like Cameron Carter-Vickers and Reo Hatate. However, Celtic still has a good enough roster to have a successful last few months of the campaign.

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