Brendan Rodgers has hit back at reports suggesting senior Celtic figures believe he is “engineering an exit” from the club, describing the leak as a “cowardly action.”
The story emerged at the weekend in The Sun, quoting a club source who claimed Rodgers’ public comments had “torn the club apart” and created division within Parkhead. The Celtic board later issued an official statement that notably stopped short of backing their manager, only adding to the fallout.
As you’d expect, Rodgers was asked about the comments that appeared in the tabloid newspaper last weekend, and he didn’t hold back.
“It was interesting when I was shown that,” he said. “My honest take? I thought it was a cowardly action from whoever it is.
“Was I surprised by it? Not really. I was briefed upon the last time I was here, when I left, and now that I’ve come back.”
Asked directly if he knew who was responsible for the leak, Rodgers replied: “No.” [TCW]
Harry Brady then asked if the person who did it should resign, to wich he replied, “There’s no dount.”
The Celtic boss has been under intense scrutiny since the transfer window closed without key reinforcements, with pressure on both the manager and the board.
Despite this, though, the manager is keen on a contract extension. He admitted that he’d “love” with extending his stay at Parkhead, but certain “conditions” would have to be met to allow him to do his job to the best of his ability.
Supporters are already turning their frustration overwhelmingly towards the directors. This weekend against Kilmarnock, fans will arrive in the stands 12 minutes late, in the first anti-board demonstration of this season. At the fan meeting on Wednesday, those leading the action were clear that they wanted the resignations of Nicholson, Lawwell and McKay sooner rather than later.
Rodgers now faces the challenge of steering Celtic through a turbulent period on and off the pitch, while the question of unity between dugout and boardroom remains more uncertain than ever.
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