Rodgers opted to withdraw Arne Engels, Adam Idah, and Nicolas Kuhn on the hour mark at Hampden with Celtic leading 1-0, replacing them with Luke McCowan, Yang Hyun-Jun and James Forrest. The changes raised eyebrows at the time, and looked increasingly questionable as the match wore on.
None of the trio taken off had been outstanding, but all three had contributed to Celtic’s control of the game and offered a goal threat. Engels, Celtic’s £11m midfield signing, had struck the corner which led to the opener. Idah, another big-money arrival, had kept the Aberdeen backline busy without much service. Kuhn had been making some dangerous runs to the back post.
In their place, the replacements struggled to impose themselves. Celtic lost fluency, Aberdeen gained belief, and when Shayden Morris’ cross crept past Kasper Schmeichel to level the tie, momentum had shifted.
Speaking on social media, former Hibs striker Tam McManus summed up the confusion around Rodgers’ decisions. He said: “Well deserved Aberdeen. Solid & stayed in the game. Celtic were abysmal and Brendan Rodgers subs bizarre. Also an absolute killer for Hibs that.”
All fans leaving Hampden on Saturday were probably thinking the same. But it also shows the lack of quality depth Celtic have, despite the belief that the squad was strong at the start of the season.
It’s a big summer ahead for the recruitment team.
