Brendan Rodgers Discussion Thread

Is that a way of saying the deal was done before Rodgers arrived?

Edit - Thought you were on about Tilio as he was signed when he was injured. My mistake.

 

WHEN Brendan Rodgers quit Celtic for Leicester City in 2019, one of the less venomous barbs thrown in his direction concerned his prospects of lifting trophies with the middling East Midlands club.

‘You traded immortality for mediocrity’, ran one banner unfurled by furious supporters at Tynecastle in the aftermath of his midnight flit.

The perfect riposte arrived a couple of years later when he led the Foxes to FA Cup success, beating Chelsea in a game that served as a breakout moment at the end of the barren months of lockdown in empty stadia.

At Celtic, Rodgers had been a magnet for silverware, lifting each of the seven honours available to him following his appointment in 2016.

While Leicester had pulled off the seemingly-impossible by claiming the English Premier League title under Claudio Ranieri in 2015, the prospects of the one-time Liverpool boss lifting anything on his return to England seemed remote.

‘It was satisfying to do it because it’s very difficult to win trophies at clubs like that,’ said Rodgers. ‘But as soon as I arrived at Leicester, that was the trophy the supporters all wanted, maybe even more than the Premier League.

‘Because the older generation knew Leicester had previously lost in four finals. They’d never won the FA Cup before. They’d been the bridesmaids for so long. It was also the dream of Khun Vichai (Srivaddhanaprabha, Leicester’s late Thai owner) from when he took over. The supporters had wanted it for so long.

‘So to be able to deliver that for the first time in the club’s history was really special.’

So special that he was treated to a qualified and playful congratulation from Sir Alex Ferguson.

‘A couple of days later, Fergie called as he and I were now the only managers to win the FA Cup and Scottish Cup,’ said Rodgers. ‘He said he thought he’d be the only one!

‘That was such a lovely touch and nice thing to do. It made it even more special.’

The final itself was a memorable affair for the thousands of supporters who had spent the previous term locked out of games and watching televised coverage of what passed for competitive sport being played in sterile environments.

‘It was the first final with the supporters back — the fans’ final they called it — and obviously the underdog came through to win.

‘It was a special feeling for me but I was so happy for the players. That moment, to win it and be together on that day, was a brilliant feeling.

‘We’d had a tough run of games to get there — Brentford, Stoke, Brighton, Man United in the quarter-final, Southampton who were doing well under Ralph Hasenhuttl. Then, obviously, Chelsea in the final, who two weeks later won the Champions League.

‘A few months later we won the Charity Shield in a really competitive game against Man City. So, all of a sudden, from never winning the FA Cup, the team had a couple of trophies in the cabinet and there was a good feeling.

‘That was the aim at Leicester, to go and challenge. Even though we weren’t at the level of some other teams, it didn’t stop us trying and eventually winning something.

‘It was an incredible moment and such a special time for the club.’

No matter the circumstances, it’s inconceivable that Rodgers will savour any Celtic cup win with the same feelings of wonder. Yet there will be plenty magic in the air as the club’s defence of the trophy commences at home to Buckie Thistle this afternoon.

The day is an occasion for the Highland League club to enjoy and should also be an opportunity for Celtic to ease back into competitive action following the winter break.

Today’s match won’t feel high stakes and nor should it be particularly troublesome for Rodgers and his players but there is pressure attached to the Scottish Cup, if only because the holders have already been knocked out of one domestic tournament this term.

Defeat to Kilmarnock in the League Cup back in August was Rodgers’ first cup loss across his two spells in Glasgow and a repeat today is simply unthinkable.

Rodgers may take the opportunity to delve into his squad options but with new signing Nicolas Kuhn not up to speed and Daizen Maeda, Reo Hatate, Oh Hyeon-gyu and Yang Hyun-jun all away at the Asian Cup, Buckie are likely to face a strong and tested frontline spearheaded by Kyogo Furuhashi, and probably flanked by Luis Palma and Liel Abada.

There’s also likely to be another start for midfielder Paulo Bernardo, who came on strong before the shutdown, starting four consecutive games and chipping in with goals and assists.

Signed on loan from Benfica, the Portuguese Under-21 regular struggled for game time in the early part of the season but now has an opportunity to make himself a fixture.

‘I’m absolutely delighted with the emergence of Paulo, so pleased for him because he wanted to come here and develop his game.

‘Gradually, he has learnt the principles of our play. He was given opportunities in some of the bigger games, which made it harder for him to show up. But I knew he was going to start in the Rangers game and we wanted to give him that run of games leading into it. And he’s been fantastic.

‘It is nice to see that emerging young talent coming through, and it’s also a sign that you have to be patient with players.

‘Some come into a club and hit the ground running. But there is so much involved in a move for a player, whether it is family, kids, culture, weather.’

 

Feeling confident we’ll have a strong second half of the season under him.

 

Brendan Rodgers had a dig at the controversy surrounding Willie Collum’s VAR decision in December’s Old Firm game after Celtic were denied a penalty in the win over Buckie Thistle because of an offside call.

Referee Chris Graham was called over to the VAR screen in the first half of the 5-0 win over the Highland League side after Liel Abada hit the deck inside the area. After a lengthy review though, the infringement was deemed to be inconsequential as the Celtic winger was initially in an offside position.

Rodgers couldn’t understand why the incident had to be reviewed at all if it had already been determined that Abada was offside, and he illustrated his point by referencing the furore around Alistair Johnston’s handball in the win over Rangers last month.

“I think the frustrating one was the penalty one that was looked at,” Rodgers said.

“It shouldn’t be looked at: it’s offside. But they had to for some reason, it’s protocol according to the fourth official. They had to look to see if it’s a penalty first before they look to disallow it because it’s offside, which just seems ridiculous.

“If it’s offside then the penalty doesn’t even matter…as we know!”

 

That “as we know” definitely would’ve sent some into a rage.

 

Class

 

As we know..

 

That wee smirk at the end haha

 

* zinger

 

It's amazing how something so small and amusing can gain such a reaction.

Poor sensitive souls.

 

I suppose it defects from us not signing the players needed ( so far) .....

 

Just enjoy it for what it was, making a wee point and I'm glad he did

 

What happened to trimming the squad too. Who’s left Kwon only? BR is either blabbering * all the time or just not getting any help from above.

 

Ideguichi went too, but think you are right, not a lot gone.

Think they are trying to offload Seigrust too.