It’s Been Coming: Some Thoughts on Hearts 4 Celtic 0

Celtic’s 4-0 thrashing by Hearts at Tynecastle saw the club’s proud unbeaten domestic record come to an end after a British record 69 games.

The most worrying aspect of today’s defeat was that it had been coming. The shambolic collapse against Hibs and the late penalty needed to get a point against Motherwell were warning signs that weren’t heeded.

The players didn’t cover themselves in glory today, only James Forrest comes out of the game with any credit.

The defence were playing at ‘away tie in the Champions League’ levels of dross. Gordon, SImunovic and Boyata were pathetic and Brendan Rodgers should drop all three for Wednesday’s match against Partick Thistle.

The manager’s decisions were bizarre at times, just throwing on forwards in an attempt to save the game and taking off Ntcham - who hadn’t been particularly awful - at half-time.

It’s an odd thing to say about a team who won the treble last season and who just broke the British domestic record unbeaten run but this Celtic side does need reinforcements, especially at the back.

Craig Gordon turned in another awful performance today, and the centre-back duo of Boyata and Simunovic couldn’t deal with a 16 year old and Kyle Lafferty.

Brendan Rodgers obviously knows that defenders are needed, which is why we are apparently on the verge of signing Leipzig defender Marvin Compper.

The team do have the opportunity to get the defeat of their system on Wednesday night against Partick Thistle at Celtic Park, a game which is now a bit of a must-win, as we need to increase our lead over Aberdeen at the top of the table to five points.

Hopefully the manager will make a host of changes for the game, I’d bring in the likes of Ajer, Bitton and Hayes. Brendan Rodgers must also stop chopping and changing his forward line, pick one striker and stick to it.

A quick word on the unbeaten run, well done to the players and management for a massive achievement which is unlikely to be matched anytime soon. Now let’s get back to winning ways on Wednesday.