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.”
