Rodgers admits Celtic’s slump could continue for a while

Brendan Rodgers has admitted Celtic are nowhere near the dizzying heights they have set for themselves over the past two years – and warned fans the slump might last for an entire season.

The Hoops boss aired his growing concerns after the champions laboured to a 1-0 Europa League win over Rosenborg on Thursday night thanks to a late winner from sub Leigh Griffiths .

The manager must now attempt to re-energise his players ahead of tomorrow’s perilous SPFL encounter on Kilmarnock ’s plastic pitch.

But Rodgers admits there has been an alarming lack of energy and dynamism about Celtic so far this season and fears it could continue to slow his team up as they push forward towards an eighth successive league crown.

He said: “I don’t think we are anywhere near the level of our game. The win on Thursday was probably down to spirit and persistence.

“I said last week at St Mirren, even with 10 men, we were dominant. But it’s just that final third. It’s a mixture of confidence and not being dynamic enough at times. We’re not being decisive enough in games

“Whilst we are not conceding – that’s five games when we have not conceded – you just have to keep going. You have to be persistent and you have to trust right to the very end that we will get the goal.”