Brendan Rodgers has robustly defended Celtic’s recent form, addressing criticisms from certain quarters of the Scottish media that aim to undermine the team’s achievements. Despite a commendable record of eight wins and one draw in their last nine matches, the narrative, according to some, remains unfairly skewed against Celtic.
During the press conference preceding the Kilmarnock match, Rodgers was questioned about his previous remarks concerning the media’s portrayal of his team following the St Mirren game. His response was unequivocal.
“To be honest, I don’t care,” Rodgers told Celtic youtube, emphasising his indifference towards the negative spin. “My priority lies with the team. I’m well aware of the dynamics in this city, where it’s perceived that both teams can’t simultaneously thrive. Having experienced similar city rivalries during my time with Liverpool, I understand the expectation for one team to falter if the other succeed. However, despite the insistence on downplaying our achievements, we’ve risen to the challenge since early December, showcasing resilience and skill.”
There is a disparity in media narratives, pointing out the irony in Celtic’s portrayal. Despite leading the league, albeit by a narrow margin, the media narrative suggests Celtic is underperforming, while Rangers are hailed for matching Celtic’s pace, despite claims of Celtic’s supposed decline.
This narrative overlooks the fact that Celtic’s “disappointing” season still sees them at the pinnacle of Scottish football with a great chance of still winning the league.
Rodgers’ comments underscore his focus on the team’s performance over media perception, reaffirming his commitment to Celtic’s success amidst external narratives.
