In a striking display of criticism, Dutch football columnist Jan Mulder unleashed a tirade against Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers during a live broadcast on Belgian television. The former striker held Rodgers responsible for the decisive error which led to Cameron Carter-Vickers’ self-goal, putting Celtic in trouble in their Champions League clash against Club Brugge.
The match proved to be a tricky affair for the Scottish giants, with Carter-Vickers unwittingly gifting the Belgians an early lead with an ill-timed back pass. However, the situation was somehow salvaged in the second half when Daizen Maeda equalized, securing a difficult 1-1 draw which saw Celtic clinch a crucial point in their quest to reach the top 24. This position could potentially guarantee them a place in the play-offs for the coveted round of 16.
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Despite the blunder, Rodgers maintained a calm demeanor after the match, dismissing the idea of blaming individual players, emphasizing that mistakes are an inevitable part of the game. Nonetheless, Mulder, a veteran of the game with three caps for the Netherlands in the late 1960s, expressed a contrasting opinion during his post-match analysis on VTM, a Dutch-speaking channel.
“What I observe almost every week in the Netherlands is worrying,” Mulder said. “We were once the pioneers of total football, but now it seems like there’s a Christmas party in an asylum every weekend. This is the unfortunate direction football is heading, all because of a reliance on data. Defenders are increasingly expected to initiate attacks. A mistake results in a mark against their name, causing them to feel pressure and fear of making a wrong pass.
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“This situation cannot be solely blamed on Carter-Vickers; Brendan Rodgers must take responsibility,” Mulder continued. “Is this really the state of the game today? For a neutral spectator in the stands it is already disturbing to see such moments, but for the supporters of the team concerned it is downright terrifying. “
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