Brendan Rodgers has addressed the anger among Celtic supporters following Wednesday night’s fan action meeting, where thousands of fans were represented and overwhelming frustration at the board was laid bare.
The meeting, organised by North Curve Celtic and chaired by the Celtic Trust, saw fan groups, CSCs, and fan media come together to discuss coordinated action against the board.
Survey results revealed almost unanimous backing for a vote of no confidence in Peter Lawwell, Michael Nicholson and Chris McKay, as well as strong support for protests starting this weekend at Rugby Park.
Asked directly if he had a message for supporters moving forward, Rodgers acknowledged their frustrations but urged unity.
“I understand the frustration,” Rodgers said to Celtic TV. “But I also know that the quicker we can become one and come together, that’s where the strength lies in Celtic — everyone together, fighting for the one cause. That’s the real power of Celtic.
“I never want that to be broken, and for other people in other clubs to look at us in any other way than together.
“I can’t tell the supporters how to feel. Of course, there is that frustration. But what makes this club unique is exactly that. It’s the passion and the commitment, which sometimes bring these things to the boil, but I’m pretty sure the guys behind the scenes as well — the board — won’t want this either.
“And we hope that we can find a solution that gets everyone reconnected. But also, I don’t want to underestimate how much of a lift the support can give us. It’s absolutely critical. What a time to show our togetherness and strength, and hopefully we can do that.”
There is unity in the Celtic fans, it seems. There is a clear appetite for change in the boardroom, and fans are looking for this to happen sooner rather than later.
Rodgers is having to be balanced here, but it’s a hard one for him to answer honestly. Retaining the support of fans who back him while trying to cool tensions with a board under heavy fire.
All eyes now turn to Rugby Park on Sunday, where protests will be staged before and during Celtic’s clash with Kilmarnock.
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2 responses
The fans are doing this only because the board have disconnected, not the fans. The board does not recognise the importance of the fans and so these actions will draw attention to that. The hypocrisy of the board is unbelievable as the words of Jock Stein are on the walls inside the club. Basically, the board look down on the fans and do not have the same strong and sincere connections that many other clubs have with their own fans.
Basically, Celtic fans are there to be fleeced and ignored. The board seem to think that the fans are ignorant. Well, I can assure them that from my experience that many fans are extremely knowledgeable and intelligent and it is a big mistake to treat them with the disdain that we see from the board.
It is time that those in the boardroom show some respect if they wish that to be reciprocated. However, I believe that it is too late for some, whose names are well known and the best door for them is the exit door at Celtic Park. Their attitude is not welcome here. Do the correct thing. Resign! Your sense of entitlement is sickening and does not belong at this club.
I’ll be upfront…I didn’t want BR back…I thought he shafted us…I also don’t like the way he has us playing…Those are just my opinions…But did he handle that interview well yesterday ?? NO he didn’t….he handled it EXCEPTIONALLY well…And the real sad thing is…No Celtic manager should ever be subjected to such a forensic examination as he was…If ever proof were needed that our Club is in a mess…this interview proved it…Time for change at the top…NOW !!