Celtic’s weekend Scottish Premiership fixture against Rangers at Ibrox ended with the players, staff and supporters coming to terms with a “disappointing afternoon.” With manager Brendan Rodgers stressing resilience, the club has met those challenges head on. They haven’t won a game in their last four attempts. With the transfer deadline looming, the clock continues to tick and pressure continues to build with major moves coming likely into midfield and onto the backline.
The match on July 17, 2025, showcased Celtic’s performance, which was described as “poor” and “below-par.” This turgid showing continued fears for the club’s future with Adam Idah on his way to Swansea. The absence of a reliable frontman could hinder Celtic’s chances of success as they navigate through the remaining fixtures of the season.
Pre-Match Training and Team Dynamics
The day before the match, on July 18, 2025, Celtic participated in an open training session at their Lennoxtown Training Complex. There were conspicuous by his absence — Adam Idah, which arguably increased the sense of speculation around his impending transfer. Rodgers is well-aware that squad needs immediate reinforcements. He stresses the important time for the next transfer deadline, which is this Monday at 11 PM.
“We have a lot of work to do but we need the competition in the squad and creativity to take the game to the level we want to,” – Brendan Rodgers
As the Packers (3-6) try to snap a three-game losing streak filled with troubling performances, Rodgers’ attention is on improving communication among his squad. He noted that he felt “well supported by the ownership group and everyone at the club” as they prepare for potential changes. The manager hopes that new signings will inject the necessary energy into the squad.
VAR Review and Media Coverage
The lost match against Rangers, which had a VAR Review, just all the more reason to watch it live on Sky Sports come the 2025-26 season! Through this new refereeing initiative, they hope to improve transparency and give supporters more useful context about refereeing decisions. The media storm that has erupted around this tie only serves to spotlight the importance of performance analysis as Celtic aims to develop.
Even through the adversity that was stacked against them, they had some bright spots throughout the game. Michel-Ange Balikwisha provided flashes of his eventual first-team impact. Despite these positive flashes, their collective performance was forgettable, at best.
“I hope they saw that the players were running for them, for each other, for the coaching staff, fighting for everything,” – Brendan Rodgers
Rodgers remains optimistic despite recent setbacks. He wanted to project the confidence that he had in his players’ dedication, their willingness to fight for their place in a demanding environment.
Looking Ahead
With Celtic crashing through this stormy patch, the heat is on to get it right. With Adam Idah’s departure approaching and the midfield performances having to get light-years better, Rodgers has to make the right calls in the next days.
The manager’s personal reflections on recent mournful performances show a determination to create a culture in which players feel protected. He acknowledged that while he didn’t feel a need for external discussions, it was essential for players and staff to share their thoughts on the club’s trajectory.
“It wasn’t a necessity for me, but it was so important for the players and staff to hear them speak about things that have gone on at the club previously, how they view it and how they view it moving forward,” – Brendan Rodgers
Rodgers thinks that when these internal dynamics are covered, it leads to a positive correlation on the field. Celtic is getting ready to meet the next set of challenges. Despite this frustrating draw, people will be watching closely to see how they respond.
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