Celtic 'hit a wall' at Dundee but are ready for Killie - Rodgers

Brendan Rodgers admits Celtic "hit a wall" after a gruelling fixture schedule but is confident his side can break through against Kilmarnock on Saturday.

The 3-3 midweek draw at Dundee was Celtic's seventh match in 20 days and while they are 13 points clear at the top of the Premiership, recent performances have prompted some criticism from some fans.

Before Celtic begin their Scottish Cup defence at home to Kilmarnock, Rodgers said: "We have to accept critics.

"But if I look at the bigger picture of what the players are coming off, I think it's also respecting that there comes a point in a season where any team, no matter how good or bad a season you're having, you'll hit a little bit of a wall.

"It's natural, it doesn't matter how good you've been playing or not, you're going to hit a little wall and I felt that probably on Tuesday, on that seventh game in 20 days, was maybe that point.

"When you draw a game or lose a game, it'll sting but for us, but it's all part of being at a big club. You have to accept it, whether you agree with it or not."

Celtic were 2-0 winners at Rugby Park in November and Rodgers added: "It was a really tough game against them last time out where they played very well.

"It's a totally different game coming back to our place. Obviously, we played earlier on in the season as well at home and played well and had a good scoreline [4-0 win], but it's a cup game. So, we have to be ready to play against them."