Brendan Rodgers Sends Clear Message After St Johnstone Defeat – And Nicolas Kühn May Be Top of the List
Celtic’s shock 1-0 defeat to St Johnstone on Sunday wasn’t just a bad result—it was a wake-up call. For Brendan Rodgers, it represented a performance that fell dramatically below the standards he demands. And while it may only have been Celtic’s third league loss of the campaign, the manager’s post-match comments revealed a deep sense of frustration—not just about the defeat, but about an underlying complacency he feels is creeping into his squad.
This wasn’t the usual, reserved post-match analysis. Rodgers didn’t mince his words. He accused his players of becoming “too comfortable” in their dominant league position, despite sitting 13 points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership. While that gap would normally suggest a season under control, Rodgers’ tone suggested something more concerning: a drop in intensity, focus, and hunger, just as the final stretch of the season approaches.
What makes Rodgers’ outburst so significant is not just its timing, but the deliberate nature of it. This wasn’t an emotional slip. It was strategic. Former Celtic midfielder Scott Allan, speaking on BBC Sportscene, pointed out what many fans were already thinking—that Rodgers’ comments were not directed at the team in general, but aimed squarely at individuals who have let their standards drop.
One of those individuals appears to be Nicolas Kühn.
The German winger, who arrived at Celtic from Rapid Vienna with a decent pedigree—including time in Bayern Munich’s youth ranks—is enduring a tough spell. He extended his run without a goal to seven matches during the loss in Perth, and perhaps most damningly, was withdrawn at half-time by Rodgers. Substitutions that early are rarely tactical; they’re statements. And this one rang loud and clear.
Scott Allan didn’t pull punches in his assessment of Kühn either. “Opposition players are starting to work him out a little bit and he hasn’t had the same effect in the side,” Allan said. “He was flying at the start of the season but he’s come off the boil. I think Rodgers is wanting more from him.”
It’s a fair point. When Kühn first broke into the Celtic starting eleven, he offered dynamism, direct running, and a bit of unpredictability out wide—something the team needed. But that initial spark has fizzled. His recent performances have been flat, his end product lacking, and his impact minimal. In a team where wide players are critical to the attacking structure, especially in games against low-block opposition like St Johnstone, a winger going missing is a major issue.
But more than just tactical contribution, Rodgers appears to be questioning mentality. The idea that some players are “comfortable” suggests a fear that the hunger, the competitive edge, is missing in key moments. That’s a damning criticism—and one that won’t go unnoticed inside the dressing room. Rodgers has always prided himself on building teams that play with intensity, purpose, and ambition. If he’s starting to see that drop, even with a healthy lead at the top, he’s going to act. And he’s doing it now, not later.
What’s also important to note is that this public criticism isn’t just about the remainder of this season. Rodgers is clearly looking ahead. Celtic may be on the brink of another title, but next season brings a return to the Champions League, tougher domestic competition, and the need for higher consistency. Rodgers knows he needs to raise the bar now to avoid storing up problems for the next campaign.
And let’s be honest: Kühn isn’t the only one under scrutiny. But he’s a symbol of a larger issue—players who show flashes of quality but struggle to deliver week-in, week-out under pressure. Celtic fans have seen plenty of these types over the years. Wingers with promise, flair, and early excitement, only to fade when the demands rise. Brendan Rodgers, in his second spell at the club, isn’t here to give second chances forever. He wants players he can trust.
Kühn still has time to turn it around. He’s got ability. He’s got pedigree. But what he needs now is consistency, end product, and a thick skin. Rodgers doesn’t dig players out in public without a reason. It’s a challenge—an invitation to prove him wrong. And in many ways, it’s a chance for Kühn to grow, to respond, and to show that he belongs at a club with the pressure and expectations of Celtic.
What comes next will be crucial. Kühn’s reaction in training this week, his focus in the next few games, and his response to adversity will tell Rodgers—and the fans—everything they need to know. Is he ready to step up and fight for his place, or will he drift into the background as others rise?
Because make no mistake, there are others waiting in the wings. Yang, Palma, Forrest—even Daizen Maeda when fit—these are players who bring something to the table. Rodgers will not hesitate to rotate if he feels others are offering more, especially with silverware on the line and preparations for the next season already beginning behind the scenes.
In the grand scheme, Sunday’s loss in Perth might be a footnote in a title-winning campaign. But Rodgers is making sure it doesn’t become a pattern. And in calling out his players, either directly or indirectly, he’s setting the tone: standards at Celtic are non-negotiable.
Nicolas Kühn—and others—would do well to listen.
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