“Brendan Rodgers’ fault” – Manager’s tactics and data blamed for Celtic chaos against Club Brugge

Celtic had to settle for a 1-1 draw against Club Brugge in the Champions League last night and Brendan Rodgers’ side perhaps could have sealed three points on Wednesday if not for chaos in the first half.

Club Brugge were handed the lead in the 26th minute, thanks to a bizarre own goal from Celtic’s Cameron Carter-Vickers.

Celtic summer signing Nicolas Kühn passed the ball to the 26-year-old defender inside the box. Carter-Vickers had a miscommunication with goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel and put the ball into his own net.

After the tie, the Celtic stopper stated the centre-back is not to be blamed for the error. Former Anderlecht striker Jan Mulder analysed the Scottish club’s European encounter against Club Brugge for VTM and his comments are relayed by Het Laatste Nieuws.

According to the Dutchman, who is now a pundit, Brendan Rodgers’ tactics and data are to be blamed for Carter-Vickers making the back pass yesterday.

“I see it almost every week in the Netherlands. We invented total football, but now there’s a Christmas party in the asylum every week. This is the new kind of football, I’m afraid, and that’s because of that data,” he said.

“Defenders are now asked to build up. If they make a wrong pass, the computer will put a cross next to their name and of course they don’t want that.

“Insane! This is not Carter-Vickers’ fault, but of his trainer [Brendan Rodgers]. This can’t be such a thing, can it? As a neutral in the stadium, you are already terrified by such phases, let alone if you are a fan of the team that does it.”

Daizen Maeda scored the equaliser in the 60th minute and helped Celtic avoid defeat in the Champions League. Brendan Rodgers’ side are 20th in the table, trailing sixth placed Bayer Leverkusen by two points.