CELTIC fans were understandably furious after their 3-1 defeat to Hearts left them EIGHT points behind the Jambos in the title race.
Much of the anger has been aimed at the board this season for the club’s failure to strengthen during the summer transfer window.
In recent weeks, however, the blame has shifted towards the Celtic manager, with the champions winning just one of their last four league matches.
It was always going to be tough battle at Tynecastle with Derek McInnes‘ side flying high at the top of the Premiership after an unbeaten start.
And the Gorgie outfit showed they were far stronger on the day – especially with Cameron Carter-Vickers, Daizen Maeda, Alistair Johnston and Kelechi Iheanacho missing for the visitors, along with long-term absentee Jota.
There have been few bright sparks in the Celtic team throughout the disappointing campaign so far.
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But one of them has been summer signing Sebastian Tounekti.
The Tunisian winger hit the ground running in Glasgow when he arrived from Hammarby in August.
Much like in recent games, he was again the player attempting to inject some creativity at Tynecastle, showing flashes of brilliance but still lacking precision with his final ball.
But when Celtic went 3-1 down and needed a creative spark, Rodgers took him off and replaced him with Michel-Ange Balikwisha.
Hoops fans were stunned with the decision as many believed he should have stayed on the pitch along with the Belgian, but with Tounekti moved over to the right wing instead.
Writing on social media platform X, one fan said: “I don’t understand why we don’t just play Tounekti on the right as well, the other options we have are awful.”
Another agreed: “Taking Tounekti off instead of pushing him right and Nygren into middle instead of Hatate. Utterly clueless.”
While a third asked: “Why doesn’t Tounekti stay on and go to the right? Baffling decision from Rodgers.”
Rodgers was quizzed on the decision at full-time and gave a blunt reply, insisting Tounekti will NEVER play as a right winger.
Asked if Tounekti swapping sides is an option, Rodgers replied: “No. Never.
“He’s a left-sided player. He doesn’t play off the right.
“He doesn’t enjoy playing there, and doesn’t want to play there.”
Celtic fans were left puzzled by the club’s recruitment strategy in the first place when Tounekti and Balikwisha both joined late on in the window.
It was clear the Scottish champions needed a left AND right winger, but instead signed two players for the same position.
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Maeda, who played a large part of last season on the wing, was deployed on the left, while Jota – expected to return in the new year – also prefers that side.
James Forrest took up the right wing position in the second half at Tynecastle.
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