BRENDAN RODGERS accepted the responsibility for Celtic’s x-certificate display in the 3-1 downfall against Hearts at Tynecastle this afternoon.

An error-strewn show from the champions saw them fall EIGHT points behind the Edinburgh side after only nine games of the campaign.

A shocking own goal from Dane Murray and then a wayward challenge from the young defender to present the hosts a penalty-kick that gifted Lawrence Shankland the opportunity to roll in No.3 contributed heavily to a damaging defeat for the visitors.

The unacceptable performance and result came just a week after the equally-awful 2-0 loss to Dundee at Dens Park as the Parkhead side have thrown away six points in bewilderingly lackadaisical fashion.

Skipper Callum McGregor did his best to rally his ailing team-mates and scored an equaliser, but the Hoops failed to capitalise on a period of domination and Benjamin Nygren blew the opportunity of putting the team ahead before the interval.

It all unravelled after the turnaround and Rodgers admitted: “I’ve always taken responsibility. There’s never been a time that I haven’t.

“When you’re the manager at Celtic, you’re responsible for the results, despite whatever else happens.

“So, that responsibility is on me.”

Responding to the...