Joe Hart ISN’T the only one to blame for Celtic’s blunders against Yokohama, insists Brendan Rodgers
BRENDAN RODGERS insists Joe Hart wasn't solely to blame for his side's 6-4 Yokohama defeat.
The Celtic No1 produced a howler for the J-League side's early opener at the Nissan Stadium.
The Hoops led 3-2 thanks to Daizen Maeda's hat-trick - but shipped four goals to suffer a pre-season loss.
Asked about Hart's mistake and status as No1, Rodgers said: "It's a period of the season where we are only a few weeks in and assessing every player and where we are at.
"We could have been better for the first goal before it got to Joe.
"It's 25 yards out and we have a player turning inside our organisation, which shouldn't happen.
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"We had a number of mistakes for the goals, losing possession and otherwise.
"As I said, I am assessing everything at the moment.
"It was a really good exercise for us.
"It was a real challenge from a physical perspective.
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"We have just arrived in Japan and we played against a team who are more than halfway into their season.
"That was always going to be a challenge.
"There were some really good bits in the game and the goals were excellent.
"We gave away poor goals but we will get fitter and improve the structure of the team as we go along.
"The result isn't the priority at this point so we'll prepare for when it matters."
Maeda cancelled out Anderson Lopes' opener and then made it 2-1 in 20 minutes.
Kota Mizunuma equalised for the home side - but Maeda then found the bottom corner to complete his first-half hat-trick.
Rodgers made a host of changes in the second half and the J-League champs took advantage of poor defending.
Lopes made it 3-3 and Yuki Saneto put Marinos ahead in 66 minutes.
Ryo Muyaichi then grabbed a double before David Turnbull scored late on.
Rodgers hailed Maeda's display against his old club and reckons he could have scored more.
He said: "Daizen was exceptional in his performance.
"That's what you want from a striker in his running, movement and pressing.
"I have been very impressed with the Japanese players, and their energy and attitude to what they do on and off the pitch.
"The humility they have and how they work and present themselves is first class.
"They are also talented footballers and you saw Daizen's performance.
"I am very happy for him to come back and play so well
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"He scored three and could have had maybe one or two more.
"He was excellent and I am enjoying working with them all and seeing their development."
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