Things are not going Celtic's way at this point in time. They have started to struggle domestically as well and suffered a 2-1 defeat against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park. And just like that, the Rangers are back in the title race, something that would have been unthinkable a few months back. It is not because the Ibrox club have been brilliant since Philippe Clement's appointment. Instead, it is the Hoops who have dropped points left, right and centre.
Questions are started to be asked of Brendan Rodgers already as well. The Northern Irishman just has not been able to get a song out of this team.
Overall, they have taken several steps back from Ange Postecoglou's treble-winning team from last season. Key players like Kyogo and Reo Hatate, considered two of the best in Scotland not too long ago, have seemed somewhat lost in Rodgers' system.
Some of Rodgers' recent comments have now come under the microscope as well. As reported by Football Scotland, Chris Sutton told Sky Sports:
"I’ve got to say I was surprised with the criticism towards him coming from Brendan. I don’t know Mikey personally but he seems to be a confidence player.
“I suppose we are all confidence players to some extent but I don’t know how he will handle that. I think it’s fine in the sanctuary of the dressing room or in the manager’s office getting a dressing down.
“But I don’t know how he’s gonna cope with that. And, you know, time will tell."
Sutton questions Rodgers' Celtic decision
To be very honest, Rodgers' comments about Johnston did come as a surprise. Wingers are confidence players more often than not. And it might not have done the Celtic player any good.
It is not like he has not gotten to play much first-team football either. Johnston has gotten minutes here and there but for the most part, he has remained out of the first-team picture.
It is only recently that he has been getting some chances and that too due to the injury problems that Celtic are dealing with, Daizen Maeda and Liel Abada are out, as well as the lack of form of those available. Forward players need a run of games to find their rhythm. Johnston quite certainly has been given that so far.