Rodgers insists it is not time for Celtic to panic despite latest slip up
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers wants his side to remain calm despite the champions falling eight points behind Hearts after losing 3-1.
Brendan Rodgers insisted that now was not the time for his Celtic side to panic despite the champions falling eight points behind Hearts after a 3-1 defeat to the league leaders.
Dane Murray's own goal had given the hosts an early lead, but Rodgers' men hit back just four minutes later as Callum McGregor bagged his first goal of the campaign.
However, Hearts grabbed the initiative after the break and went in front again through a free-kick from Alexandros Kyziridis after 52 minutes.
Murray then committed a foul in the penalty area after bringing down Claudio Braga, with Lawrence Shankland scoring from the spot to ensure that Celtic would lose back-to-back league matches for the first time since 2023.
Despite being eight points back, Rodgers was still confident of Celtic mounting a fightback with so many games left in the season, though he highlighted the need for his side to rediscover their consistency.
He told BBC Scotland: "There's still so many points to play for. It's still so early. It's only nine games in.
"Obviously, being eight points behind is not what we would want. The comfort is there's so many games to play.
"We now have to focus on the here and now and look to find more consistency and more quality in our play."
The last time Hearts were so far clear at this stage of the campaign was in 2005-06 under Craig Burley, when they ended up finishing in second.
A result as monumental as this will increase hopes of a first Scottish league title since 1960, and head coach Derek McInnes was delighted with the display, but did note that it was still very early in the season.
"We've got a good thing going at the minute, but it's only three points," said McInness.
"It's important for us to keep winning. We've got loads to do, loads to do.
"After the first two rounds of fixtures is normally an indication of where you are.
"What we have got is good technical ability. You're seeing that from a lot of players who have been here previously. Some of the new signings are also eager to show that."
