Brendan Rodgers Discussion Thread

Brendan is taking the pc it’s just started

 

The Celtic boss said, "I'm glad the window is shut, there's a really good spirit in the team. There's been a lot of uncertainty and instability; we accept it could have been better for us but now it's behind us. My job as manager is to pull everything together and get us moving again.

"We have to accept and take responsibility that the window wasn't what we wanted. I believe we have talented players in the squad. It is what it is, you cannot look back on it now.




On Adam Idah
The Celtic manager was asked about Adam Idah after the striker completed a move to Swansea City on deadline day.

He said, "Adam was a player who hadn't asked to leave. Swansea wanted him around same time as other possibilities could have happened for us. We didn't want to lose him. It looked as though it would be one out, one in, but that didn't happen for whatever reason.

"Kelechi (Iheanacho) is robust and has genuine talent."








Rodgers on fan sentiment
The Celtic boss was asked if he had sympathy for fans who believe the club were scrambling in the last hours of the transfer window.

He said, "Absolutely. We were all frustrated. You respect the fans of your club, it's why we love Celtic and the Celtic support. They keep us honest, they keep us driving and pushing."

Is the Celtic relationship with fans broken?
Rodgers said, "The club put out a statement and I'm not here to answer those questions because they are not mine. Over the coming weeks, it will become clear how that evolves.

"I'm not here to tell supporters how to feel. I know it, I feel it because I grew up with it, I know that the demands are. Supporters want to see the club develop not just domestically, we have to be looking to perform better in Europe.

"The quality of your life is the quality of your communication. After this summer that is something the club will most definitely look at. My thoughts currently are purely on getting the team back playing with our identity again."






Celtic changing in the transfer market
Rodgers was asked if Celtic need to change the way they operate in transfer windows.

He said, "I think the business model of the club is highly successful. What we have to marry that in with is the football. Not just investment, timing of investment.

"It was clear what we needed, and we needed it early. We had these qualification games. Summer 2025 was a critical window for us to get players in to be ready for these games, and we weren't ready.

"That made me leave last time. This time I won't do that, one hundred per cent. I said 150 per cent a few weeks ago, so I'll go back to that! It didn't make me think of walking way, I just felt empty, if I'm honest."






Will Rodgers leave next summer?
The Celtic manager is clear he won't be walking away right now, but he was again asked about his long-term future with his current contract set to expire at the end of the season.

He said, "It hasn't really changed from the last time. I would love to stay here longer, I've had informal chats with Dermot and Michael but no offer to consider."

Asked if he was open to staying in the right circumstances, he added, "100 per cent. I guaranteed I would do three years, and if going forward if I do get offered a deal, there does have to be conditions in that, that allow me to work the best I can."






Briefing against him in the media?
The Celtic manager was asked about newspaper reports citing the feelings of high-ranking insiders within the club who are unhappy with him.

Rodgers said, "It was interesting when I was shown that. 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."









Rodgers on Daizen Maeda
Last week, Celtic winger Daizen Maeda gave an interview to Japanese media stating that he had requested to leave the club in the summer and pursued an exit up until deadline day.

On that topic, Rodgers said, "Daizen wanted to leave in February. I still feel that if a player wants to leave, we have to be ready for that, but we weren't in this window.



Celtic squad update
There had been concern that Kieran Tierney was injured after withdrawing from the Scotland squad during the international break. However, Rodgers has confirmed he trained with the Celtic squad today.

New signing Kelechi Iheanacho is available for Sunday's trip to Rugby Park after joining training on Monday.








Rodgers on board relations
The Celtic boss said, "I am speaking to Michael (Nicholson) later this afternoon. On a personal level, I have huge respect for Dermot (Desmond). He's a big reason why I came back.

"Michael and Chris (McKay) are good guys, in on Christmas Day, these are honest guys. We just have to make sure our football model is lined up, or we're just going to be in this cycle."






Rodgers on the feeling of Celtic fans
With Celtic fans set to protest on Sunday and releasing open letters signed by over 400 supporter groups, Rodgers was asked about all the ill-feeling.

He said, "I understand the frustration. But I also know 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 power of Celtic.

"I'm pretty sure the guys on our board won't want this either. I hope we can find a solution that can get everyone together again."






Rodgers on 'leaks' and briefings to press
The manager was also asked if the club should investigate the source of the newspaper reports, who is apparently briefing against him.

He said, "I don't think there's any doubt. If you are sitting where I am with the weight I have on my shoulders, it's so important to feel supported. Whoever is briefing, they can come here and speak to me at any time.

"We all will have frustrations at times in our life, but I would never think of going and bringing that to the fore to hurt someone else. Especially someone who didn't have to come back but wanted to come back."

 

That will * off many ppl but i think its the right thing to say. Its not really his job talking about it. His job is to manage the team.

 

If that is is his political response * me it must be bad behind closed doors.

 

Basically said he's no gonna pass back anymore.

If he signs another contract its only because they've sacked lawell and Nicholson.

It was those fannies last time that made him leave.

Tbh any other manager we'd * this season. Think he'll save it.

He likes a pizza on a Friday.. oh wait that's me.

 

Interesting Press Conference with Brendan today so far

 

Press conference has just ended


More quotes to come

 

Some great quotes there from Rodgers. He knew there was little chance of dodging anything so he's just not even bothered trying to spin anything. Direct and to the point. He's absolutely nailed it, fair * play to the guy.

 

Think he handled that well tbh.

 

I noticed he didn't include Lawwell in the people he has had good chats with i think he is not so subtly saying what we all think that it is Lawwells fault

 

Lawell is the common denominator in this from last time to now Nicholson is just his puppet


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Is that the first time he's said the recruitment factored in to him leaving

 

Manager speak..it’s his job end of day.

The support are mostly behind him let’s just crack on on the pitch.

He’ll see us through til end of season.

 

One name conspicuous by its absence there.

 

Totally agree with 80% of what you stated, my only issue is Saturday is pizza day, Friday is fish supper day!

 

Brendan Rodgers has branded whoever leaked information to a newspaper suggesting he was trying to engineer an exit from Celtic as 'cowardly'.


Last Friday night, it emerged in a prominent media outlet that 'high ranking insiders' at Parkhead were growing unhappy with the Northern Irishman.

The report strongly suggested that Rodgers had one eye on his next move, with his current deal at Celtic due to expire at the end of the 2025/26 season.

Rodgers spoke to the media at Lennoxtown this afternoon ahead of this Sunday's trip to Rugby Park to take on Stuart Kettlewell's Kilmarnock.

And he has called on an investigation into the briefing of information to the media.

Asked about last week's situation, he said: "It was interesting when I was shown that. 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."



Rodgers was asked if he knew who it was, he said, "No.

"I don't think there's any doubt. If you are sitting where I am with the weight I have on my shoulders, it's so important to feel supported. Whoever is briefing, they can come here and speak to me at any time.

"We all will have frustrations at times in our life, but I would never think of going and bringing that to the fore to hurt someone else. Especially someone who didn't have to come back but wanted to come back."

On his future, he added: "It hasn't really changed from the last time. I would love to stay here longer, I've had informal chats with Dermot (Desmond) and Michael (Nicholson) but no offer to consider.

"I guaranteed I would do three years, and if going forward if I do get offered a deal, there does have to be conditions in that, that allow me to work the best I can."

 

"My honest take? I thought it was a cowardly action from whoever it is."

That's a damning and honest reaction, whoever briefed the scummy sun must be squirming or probably not knowing that board

 

Will be putting that 30 strong media theam to good use the day editing that presser for the YouTube

 

Brendan is on our side, he ain't my cup of tea but he gets my backing for rest of season as for the * in the board room, we are coming for ye rats!