Celtic: Brendan Rodgers bemoans start as title party is delayed

Celtic’s procession to a fourth successive Scottish Premiership title may only have been delayed, but it was clear that Brendan Rodgers’ assessment of defeat at St Johnstone as “bitterly disappointing” was about more than just the result.

A win against a team adrift at the bottom of the division would have set up the chance of clinching the trophy at home to Kilmarnock on Saturday lunchtime.

That scenario is now null and void, although a Celtic win followed by a Rangers loss at Aberdeen the following day would still add up to a title win.

Defeat in Perth was Celtic’s fourth in an otherwise impressive league campaign, but all four have come since January and featured the concession of an early goal – something highlighted by Rodgers.

“It’s happened too many times,” he said. “I’ve seen a trend now with us, and it will be interesting between now and the end of the season in terms of mentality.

“We didn’t start the game how we wanted. The first-half mentality and attitude is disappointing. It’s about your mindset, and that is something that concerns me.”

Former Celtic goalkeeper Pat Bonner, on Sportsound punditry duty, suggested it would be a “real, real disappointment for the fans” but what went wrong?