Celtic Park was buzzing with anticipation on October 2, 2025, as the Hoops hosted Braga for a Europa League clash that would prove to be anything but ordinary. The evening was already set against the backdrop of a postponed fan-led silent protest, a move that came after manager Brendan Rodgers made a heartfelt appeal and the club's board arranged a meeting with supporters. Despite the early 5:45 PM kickoff and initial worries about attendance, Celtic’s faithful turned out in force, their presence filling the stands with green-and-white energy.
Yet, the drama on the pitch was matched by turmoil off it. The match itself saw one of the most controversial VAR decisions in recent memory, as Kelechi Iheanacho’s apparent equaliser for Braga was ruled out following what many are calling a horrendous refereeing blunder. The disallowed goal left players and fans alike in disbelief, with the incident quickly making headlines as one of the worst VAR interventions of all time.
But for former Celtic midfielder Scott Allan, the real story wasn’t just about a single decision. Speaking on Clyde Superscoreboard, Allan didn’t mince words about the direction of Rodgers’ team. “I think the biggest concern for Celtic fans at this moment in time will be the performances on the pitch,” he remarked. “For me, the fact that Brendan Rodgers changed shape at half-time tells you that he knows the position that the team are in, in terms of creativity and the spark he needs in forward areas.”
Indeed, Rodgers made a rare tactical shift after a lacklustre first half, moving away from his signature 4-3-3 formation to deploy a back-three. Kieran Tierney slotted into the new defensive structure, while Daizen Maeda found himself in an unorthodox wing-back role—a notable departure from his usual attacking duties. The change was emblematic of a manager searching for answers amid mounting pressure and lacklustre results.
Allan continued his critique, highlighting the underwhelming performances of key players. “I look at Callum McGregor, and he’s just not been the same player this season. There’s no getting away from it. Kasper Schmeichel, one of the senior boys as well, his distribution constantly put Celtic under pressure. They actually had a decent start to the game, then you look at Maeda, the best player in the country last season and he’s just miles off it. He’s played four different positions this season already, just trying to shoehorn him into this team, hoping that you see some of the form he produced last season.”
The sense of unease was palpable, with supporters and pundits alike questioning the club’s direction both on and off the pitch. The upcoming match against Motherwell loomed large, with many speculating that Rodgers might ring in significant changes to his starting XI. The likes of Hayato Inamura, Shin Yamada, and Jahmai Simpson-Pusey—recent signings who have seen little action—were mentioned as potential candidates for more involvement, especially after a week in which Celtic failed to find the back of the net.
But the challenges facing Celtic extend well beyond tactical tweaks and team selection. Just days after the Braga match, key club figures including CEO Michael Nicholson, chairman Peter Lawwell, and finance chief Chris McKay scheduled a meeting with fan representatives to address growing unrest at Parkhead. The move was seen as a step towards dialogue, but as one report put it, “don’t expect the peace pipe to get passed around.” The problems, it seems, are deeply rooted and not easily solved with a single conversation.
The club’s summer transfer activity has come under intense scrutiny, with many questioning how Celtic could struggle so mightily in the market despite newfound financial strength. The lack of a right-sided attacker, the reliance on a single semi-fit striker, and the puzzling signings of players like Yamada, Inamura, and Simpson-Pusey—who have yet to make a significant impact—have all contributed to a sense of frustration among the fanbase. “What was the point in signing Shin Yamada, Hayato Inamura and Jahmai Simpson-Pusey? It’s a list that goes on and has been repeated constantly for months,” one columnist wrote.
Adding to the sense of instability, an internal investigation is underway regarding a club source who allegedly undermined Rodgers and further destabilised the team. Questions about the manager’s future beyond January 2026 hang in the air, with little clarity on the club’s long-term strategic vision. As the pressure mounts, it’s not just the board and executives who are under the microscope; Rodgers and his coaching staff are also facing tough questions about their roles in the team’s recent struggles.
The squad itself appears imbalanced, with a heavy reliance on players like Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda—both of whom have struggled to replicate last season’s form. The likes of Paulo Bernardo and Arne Engels have had only fleeting opportunities to make their case, while others remain on the fringes. “Rodgers has taken flak for not playing Paulo Bernardo and Arne Engels but what is going on with the pair? Bernardo came back in on Thursday and had a decent spell but it wasn’t enough. Engels got a run-out last weekend but didn’t light any fires,” a recent assessment noted.
The numbers tell a sobering story. This time last year, Maeda had seven goals in nine games, Kyogo Furuhashi five in ten, Nicholas Kuhn six, Adam Idah four, and Callum McGregor the same. Fast forward to the current campaign, and Benjamin Nygren leads the scoring charts with just three goals, while only Kelechi Iheanacho, Luke McCowan, and Maeda have managed to score more than once. Seb Tounekti, Yang Hyun-jun, Hatate, McGregor, Johnny Kenny, Michel-Ange Balikwisha, Yamada, and James Forrest have collectively contributed just three goals. The drop-off in attacking output is undeniable and has left supporters clamoring for answers.
With all eyes now on the upcoming clash against Motherwell, the pressure is on Rodgers to find a system that works and to inspire a turnaround in fortunes. The manager himself has acknowledged that the responsibility lies with him, and the choices he makes in the coming weeks could define not only Celtic’s season but also his own future at the club.
As the Hoops prepare for their next challenge, the mood around Celtic Park is one of cautious anticipation. The issues are many—on the pitch, in the boardroom, and among the supporters—but the passion for the club remains undimmed. Whether Rodgers can channel that energy and steer Celtic back on course remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the coming weeks will be crucial in shaping the narrative of a season that has already seen more than its fair share of twists and turns.