Should Rodgers be getting more out of what he has at Celtic?

Celtic players applauded their visiting fans after defeat in the capital

Celtic are not used to losing consecutive Scottish Premiership games. After all, they had gone two years without it happening until Sunday.

They are even less used to being eight points behind the league pacesetters. And yet that is where Brendan Rodgers' defending champions find themselves after being overpowered 3-1 by leaders Hearts at Tynecastle.

Add in a hugely underwhelming European campaign and angst-ridden transfer window and discontent is in the air around Celtic Park.

The fans have made it clear where they think the bulk of the blame lies, protesting repeatedly about the club's board.

But should Rodgers be getting more out of what he has at his disposal?

Should Celtic have enough or are some just 'uncoachable'?

Yes, Celtic were shorn of Cameron Carter-Vickers, Kelechi Iheanacho, Alistair Johnston and Daizen Maeda at Tynecastle, and started the inexperienced trio of Colby Donovan, Dane Murray and Johnny Kenny.

But Rodgers was were still able to select record signing Arne Engels, whose reported £11m transfer fee is likely more than the entire Hearts XI cost.

The experienced Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate, Kasper Schmeichel, Liam Scales and Kieran Tierney were all in the XI, too, along with summer signings Sebastian Tounekti and Benjamin Nygren.

Tounekti was a bright spark in the first half and has shown flashes since his summer arrival. Nygren, too, has made contributions, including a goal in Thursday's Europa League win over Sturm Graz.

But apart from that duo - and Iheanacho, who has chipped in with three goals - the summer recruits have done precious little.

Michel-Ange Balikwisha came off the bench at Tynecastle, as did Shin Yamada. Both have pedigree from Belgian and Japanese football, respectively, but neither have shown much as of yet at Celtic.

Hayato Inamura and Marcelo Saracchi have deputised at times in defence without making a significant impact, while youngsters Jahmai Simpson-Pusey and Callum Osmand are yet to make senior debuts.

"It's all about the quality of player which comes in and some players, quite frankly, just aren't coachable," former Celtic forward Chris Sutton told Sky Sports. "The recruitment has been poor.

"[Brendan Rodgers is] at the end of his tether, he's watching his team and he knows the quality of player he has been given isn't at the level it should be. Celtic should've kicked on from last season."

'They're in a bad place at the moment'

Rodgers spoke pre-match of young players being fearless, but Murray in particular endured a difficult time at Tynecastle.

His panicked clearance flashed into his own net to give Hearts the lead and it was the 22-year-old's foul on Claudio Braga that conceded the penalty for the third.

"Where we're at as a team, we're needing these players," Rodgers said afterwards. "Dane makes the own goal and then a little bit rash for the penalty. It's something that he'll learn from."

He is likely to persist with Murray, as Carter-Vickers is scheduled for an Achilles operation on Monday and likely out until March while the manager is reluctant to play £6m signing Auston Trusty on the right side of the centre-back pairing.

Rodgers also spoke about the need for "consistency" and Engels is one who struggled at Tynecastle days after providing moments of inspiration against Graz in the Europa League.

On the plus for Celtic, Maeda is expected back in training before Wednesday's home league match against Falkirk, with Rangers in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final up next on Sunday.

"Yes, they have injuries," former goalkeeper Pat Bonner said of Celtic. "But that's what happens throughout the season that's what's the squad for. Rodgers plays young lads in critical positions at the back.

"It's been a poor day for Celtic. If you don't play and you allow Hearts to dominate you, then there's something wrong because you've got to stand up and be counted.

"They're in a bad place at the moment, with the injuries, with that team now the confidence will be knocked again. They've got huge games coming up."

What do the fans think?

Paul: Very amateurish display. Was worse than watching a pub team at times. Johnny Kenny isn't the answer upfront. Absolutely no plan B or C.

Jamsie: Celtic are going nowhere and getting there really fast. I can't see a quick fix as the team and the manager are shocking. I cannot see them bailing themselves out with spending millions on players. No tactics, no passion and no chance. Time for a complete restart.

Tony: It is time to get some new team members and a change of management to inject new blood into the club.

Joe: Rodgers' position must now be in serious jeopardy. Forget the transfer window, Celtic are consistently losing to clubs with a fraction of the resources. The standard of play is truly awful and lack of goals is embarrassing. That sits with the manager.

Jim: Rodgers bewilders me, picking a kid at centre half who scores an own goal, gives away a penalty and won't block a shot on goal - what does he expect the result will be?

Patrick: A really poor performance. Shame for the youngsters, but let's hope they learn from it. Momentum is everything and Hearts have it all while Celtic have none. Need to improve these performances as the board can't do anything until January now so no point blaming them, the manager needs to get more from the players.

Jim: It was always going to be a struggle after the midweek match even with a fully-fit squad. You have to keep it tight for 20 minutes and hope to get something on the break to allow for tiredness in the second half. The youngsters will come good, as its about confidence and making the right decisions.

Scott: I don't doubt Rodgers passion, as a Celtic fan, but dealing with that board on a daily basis seems to have robbed him of his spark. Time to let Brendan go somewhere he'll be appreciated by the suits upstairs and bring back Big Ange.