Brendan Rodgers has lifted the lid on talks with Celtic chief executive Michael Nicholson while also praising finance chief Chris McKay for their roles in running the club.
Rodgers has been vocal about the need for quicker recruitment, pointing to debutant Sebastian Tounekti’s impressive display at Rugby Park as evidence of what could have been achieved if signings had been made earlier. The winger caught the eye as Celtic edged out Kilmarnock 2-1 thanks to Kelechi Iheanacho’s last-gasp penalty.
The Celtic boss stressed that while frustrations remain around the timing of transfers, he enjoys a strong working relationship with Nicholson and McKay. He highlighted that both men are central to the day-to-day running of the club and are focused on finding solutions.
Rodgers also emphasised the importance of clarity moving forward, suggesting that while improvements are needed in recruitment processes, his immediate priority is keeping focus on results on the pitch.
He said: (TCW), “Michael’s a good man. He’s a good man. I have a really good relationship with him and Chris McKay, because they’re the guys that I deal with day to day.
“We all know what it is we need to assess and look at and be better at.
“You look at Sebastian, you know today, if we have him in when we wanted to have him in, then it could be a different sport for us, you know, outstanding he was.
“So these are all things that we need to find clarity on and be better at. But in the meantime, the concentration’s on football.”
Rodgers’ comments suggest there is seemingly alignment between himself and the boardroom on the need to improve how and when players are brought in. His mention of Tounekti’s impact highlights the argument that the team could have been stronger earlier in the campaign.
By singling out Nicholson and McKay for praise, Rodgers also sought to ease the tension that has built up around the board, pointing out that relationships behind the scenes remain positive despite criticism from outside.
It is also interesting that Rodgers has not publicly mentioned chairman Peter Lawwell, whose role has been central to much of the fan frustration in recent weeks. Lawwell has become a focal point for protests, yet Rodgers’ comments carefully avoided bringing him into the conversation, instead focusing on those he works with directly on a daily basis.
New Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers with chief executive Peter Lawwell (L) during the press conference
Reuters / Russell Cheyne
That omission may be deliberate, with Rodgers keen to highlight his trust in Nicholson and McKay while steering clear of wider controversies around Lawwell’s influence. By doing so, he maintains a working balance, keeping attention on the football side while leaving boardroom politics untouched.
In the meantime, Rodgers is determined to keep his squad focused on results, believing that performances on the pitch will help ease pressure and provide the platform for longer-term improvements.
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