Brendan Rodgers Discussion Thread

A full 9 minute interview with sky sports

 

Brendan, how would you describe the mood amongst you and the players today?

We're obviously glad the window's shut. I see a really good spirit back in the team again. I think naturally in the window you have uncertainty and instability. But yeah, now that it is closed and we accept that it could have been better for us. But it is now behind us and my job now as the manager of the team is to pull everyone together and get us moving again.

How big a task is that given all the negativity that it seems to have come out from the window?




That's management, that's high performance in any sport. You're not going to have it all your own way. We have to accept and take responsibility that the window wasn't as we wanted it. But now we have to get back and really get tight as a group and a squad. I believe that we have talented players in the squad. Now it's my job to maximise the extent to which they can play the game, and that is the job of a manager and a coach. So I'm looking forward to that aspect. Of course, it could have been better in the market, of course, but it is what it is. We cannot look back on it now, I have to look forward. I've already seen that in the last couple days within the team.






Would it be fair to say that the striking position is the main area where it could have been better to use your words. Talk us through if you can what happened there and how satisfied or otherwise you are with your striking options?





I don't really want to go so much into the depths of how it came about. Adam was a player who hadn't asked to leave, and wasn't wanting to leave, but there was an opportunity that came where Swansea wanted him at the same time as other possibilities that could have happened for us. So we didn't want to lose him but when the opportunity came for him and it was a good deal and everything else, then it looked like there was going to be one in and one out. It didn't work out that way, and for whatever reason, we had to move on.

Thankfully, at the end of the window, when it was closed, there was a player who was available, and I know him very well. Kelechi Iheanacho was a player who was brilliant for me at Leicester, and I only wanted to take in someone here who was robust and had genuine talent. If I can get that out of him again, he can be a big plus for us.

So yeah, we lost Adam, and Adam made a really good contribution, a lot of moments here and still scored plenty of goals for Celtic which is no mean feat, but he moved on, and we've got Kelechi in.









Do you sympathise with fans from the outside to feel that that can be seen as scrambling about that it wasn't succession planning that was all under control when you had to go into the free agent market last minute?

Absolutely. That frustration is shared. We all felt that. Absolutely. It's why months out, we've spoken about what we need in the squad, and so yeah, I totally get that.

The support has the passion and the commitment and the drive and that's what keeps us honest as a team and as a club because expectation us every day is to come in here and to improve and get better, because we're expected to do that for the supporters. So they keep us honest, they keep us driving and pushing, and that's the way it should be.







Those supporters Brendan I think it's fair to say that patience has snapped. 400 organisations calling for a vote no confidence in the board. How do you assess where the club is at the moment with the relationship with supporters?

Listen, the club made a statement. I'm not here to answer those questions because they're not mine. That will be something that over the coming weeks, I'm sure will become clear and how that evolves. I'm not here to tell supporters how to how to feel. You know, they feel frustrated. They've have a right to feel that.

My job is to drive as much as possible I can the team and the club forward. I came in here in 2016, and the treble had been done three times. From then I look to elevate the mentality and the standard of a football club, over this course of nine years, the expectation is to win a treble. And that combination of that drive and demand that comes from the supporters. I know because I feel it, I understand what the demands are. And that will continue. Because this club has huge potential, the size, the support base that we have, the history of the club, supporters want to see the club continue to develop, not just domestically. We've done that, and that's always your bread and butter, but we have to be more consistent in performing in Europe








You mentioned the statement, does the communication from the club have to be better? I think the fans have been angered by that statement, calling it condescending, tone deaf as to what was required. 9:00 on a Saturday night is not what the fans were looking for as an explanation. Can you understand that and does as a club the communication to supporters have to get better?

I've always believed that the quality of life is the quality of communication. If you can share that, then especially in this modern world when there are so many avenues to communication then I believe that after this summer then that is something we must definitely look at.

You can't always say everything in real detail around happenings are going on, but you certainly can engage. I've got no doubt that it will improve after this summer because, as I said, fans want it and modern society demands it.








You mentioned before ambition, and that's what if, you were to stay, would keep you here. How the club have handled that over the last couple of weeks in terms of the window is that the level of ambition that would keep you here, or has the last two weeks impacted your thoughts on the future of this club?

My thoughts currently are purely on getting the team playing back with our identity again. That's my thinking. The last few weeks of the window impacted our players; some will say it shouldn't, but it's natural because players themselves know what was needed and what they wanted.

Our performance level, we were in slow motion. Our identity is always about speed and penetration. When our game looks like that, we're a really good side. So that's my focus, get the identity of the team back.








Brendan, you've talked about driving the team forward, you're not the man to stand still at Celtic. Do you feel that with the squad you've got for the rest of the season you can drive the club forward, you can progress in the next couple of months?

My job as the manager, this is the situation that I'm in. I've never been more determined now to succeed this season. It's also my duty. My duty now is to develop the players that we have. Yeah, we could talk about what we have and what we haven't. My job now, and this is excitement that I have in the challenge that we have in terms of getting this team playing how I want them to play, and bed in the new players. Like I said, I have a duty for those guys that are here, the staff that are here and roll that out to the supporters and give them that excitement that is expectation.









Do you think Brendan that the communication has to change? Do you think it will change going forward after the communication from the club to the supporters? Do you feel that the way the club operate in the transfer market needs to change as well given that it wasn't the most successful window or do you think it was just a one-off and the way the club has operated in years will work again in the future?

I think that the business model of the club is highly successful; we have to marry that in with the football. The squad and the makeup of the squad, and how we build the squad. It's not just investment, it's the timing of investment. There's absolutely no doubt that that needs to be looked at because it was pretty clear what we needed. And not just needed but needed early. Because football people and supporters, our ambition is to be at the highest possible level we can be. And it was clear that we have these qualification games. We went to last season, spoke about it then, through the season, and towards the end of the season. Summer 2025 was a critical window for us. To get players in. Any recycling of the squad we had to be able to do it early to get players in, so we were ready for these games. And we weren't ready. We have to learn from that; if not, the cycle will continue.








You feel let down on the back of that, Brendan?

We all want to work at the highest level. We can only do everything we possibly can to be that. Listen, I also accept responsibility because we slipped up at home, the home game. We're not getting away from that either. We weren't good enough at home when we should have won. Then you go to Kazakhstan, and then you're relying on something there, and the penalties.

It's not about me. Yes, I want Celtic to be the very best they can be. My ambition is for the club, for the supporters, for the players. So it's not a personal thing for me. I can only do my very best to improve what is we needed to improve. Then whatever situation I'm in, is to be the very best that I can be. The first time I was here, I probably left because of that. This time I won't do that, no chance, one hundred per cent. I said 150 per cent a few weeks ago, so I'll go back to that! My duty is to be here, to help the team, the squad get back again.













Did it cross your mind to walk away?

It didn't make me think to walk away, I just felt empty, if I'm honest. It was a long process, and the weight is on your shoulders when you are here, carrying everything. So then when it doesn't quite go the way you want, then of course you have an empty feeling. But then you know, as one of the leaders of the club, and in particular manager of the team, you've got to get your head around it, you've got to deal with it and maximise what you have.












The general feeling out there is that you're going to leave at the end of the season. Can you give the fans any clarity on that, your future?

It hasn't really changed from the last time. I think I mentioned it a few weeks back. I would love to stay here longer. I've had sort of informal chats with Dermot Desmond and Michael Nicholson, but I haven't had an offer yet to think over. Until that comes, then I'm not going to be so arrogant to say yeah. The club might not want me. So I have to respect that. Until that happens, until there's something serious on a piece of paper, then I just continue to do my best.












So even after everything has happened, you said you feel empty at the end of the window, you would still be open to staying under the right circumstances?

Yeah, 100%. As long as everything's aligned and we can operate how we want to. Absolutely. That's why I came back. I came back to hopefully stay for more than three years. What I would guarantee is that I would do three years. So I want to do three years and I'm more determined this year to do it. Going forward, if I do get offered a deal, then of course there needs to be conditions within that that you want to the best that we possibly can. If not, then it's maybe just the two philosophies that don't quite add up. And I also accept that, but I'll go away, I'll be a Celtic supporter for the rest of my life, and we'll go our separate ways.

My hope was to come back here, take the club forward, we've seen progress, we've seen Europe, we've seen everything, can we sustain that? It hasn't quite happened for us in the Champions League. I'm hopeful in the future something can be resolve










Brendan, one of the things that was in the statement, one of the explanations was about UEFA financial rules, given the money Celtic have made, could you understand why people would struggle to get their heads round that?

As I said, they're not my questions to answer. It's the statement that was given. If the chief executive or the chairman were here, then I'm sure they would speak. They're not my questions to answer. But I understand why when you have that level of resource, you would ask the question.






Did you yourself get any sort of explanation, Brendan, from the board about why certain things didn't happen because obviously the public explanation was one the fans weren't happy with. Did you have any other sort of explanation from them?

No, it was the same.








How does it feel to see stories from someone at the club talking about you engineering your exit?

It was interesting when I was shown that. My honest take, I thought it was a cowardly action by whoever it is. It's not something that you would want, and certainly my relationships with the guys that I'm close with here with the board, I'm struggling to understand the why.

Since 2016, all I've tried to do is drive the club forward. Was I surprised by it? Not really. I think I was briefed upon the first time I was here, when I left. Now, since I've come back. I'm thick-skinned. It's because I want to do so well here. I'm determined to do so well.

But I know Dermot, Michael, the guys that I work with on a day-to-day basis, or certainly communicate with them on a day-to-day basis. They feel the same as I.

I think if you speak to my staff here, speak to players, they know all I ever do is give everything for them. I respect them. Most of them have got new contracts during their time here. Staff have got new deals and you know, increase their wages and so all the conditions for them.

And okay, my drive is to make Celtic the best it can be. But not unrealistic, not Premier League money. Not you know, millions and millions and millions. So yeah, it's disappointing. Like I said, it's a cowardly act. It just makes me more determined to succeed.






Do you know where it came from?

No.


A few weeks ago you were referring to some people not wanting you at Celtic, was that what you were referring to?

No.











The timing of it doesn't help?

Like I said, it's not what you want to wake up on a Saturday and be shown that. And I think that people who know me know my affinity for here. They also know I don't sit comfortably. And if someone were to sit comfortably and be happy with what they've got, then I'm the wrong manager to facilitate that, because I'll always demand improvement and want continual improvement.

My best interest is for Celtic. So I want this club to succeed. And for that, if I'm sitting comfortably, then it's not going to work. So I have to get uncomfortable, and then that means I have to ask questions that maybe people don't like. That's my job.















Daizen Maeda said he was close to leaving. Clarity on that?

I wasn't surprised by that because I've known since the end of February where Daizen was at. We spoke a lot. He continued to give everything in his game and his training. Yeah, he had a few options to go, which would've been great for him and his family.

It didn't materialise. So it's my job here to convince him to go again. I've done that with other players before, like with Luis Suarez.

But I think everyone sees the integrity with which he works, how he plays. I believe we can connect all of that. I'm pretty sure he'll give his all while he's playing.










You've said before that if a player feels like they want to leave, they're better off away?

I still feel that. I still feel that if a player does want to move on, then we have to be prepared for that. And in this window, we clearly weren't prepared for that. And yeah, it just couldn't happen, but my feelings are still the same, especially if you got a player who's been here for years, given his all. And he wanted to have another challenge before he went back to Japan, then that was maybe the right thing for him. But certainly, the position we were in, and being so late. We couldn't make that happen for him, sadly.








With him next summer going into the last year of his contract, will January be when you have to cash in?

I've just got out of this transfer window, I'm not talking about January! I haven't even thought about it.












Kieran Tierney and Anthony Ralston, how are they?

Kieran's just got back in training. So that's good. He knows he has to step up his work, but he's obviously been out for eight or nine days. Tony, he's unavailable and will be in a boot for a little bit longer








Will Kelechi Iheanacho be available?

Yeah, he'll be available. He's a player who trained every day, and he's always available. He has some real special moments in games. I expect him here with the day-to-day work, and with the supporters, he can be a really exciting talent for us. I hope he is because he's got big qualities and he's a good guy.










Brendan, do you plan to speak to Michael and Dermot?

I'm speaking to Michael later this afternoon. On a personal level, it's absolutely fine. I have huge respect for Dermot. He's a big reason why I came back; he's always supported me and from a personal perspective. Like I said, Michael and Chris (McKay), who I work with on a day-to-day basis. Good guys. These are guys who are in Christmas Day, in the football club, feeding the kids, and you know, and doing all the things for Celtic. These are honest guys.

What we need to in my opinion, is to try and ensure that our football model can be lined up. Otherwise, we're just going to be in this cycle. So good people. good guys. We'll have to be more than that if we're to progress as a football club.








Will fan protests impact your players?

I think for us, of course, fans will be, I can't tell them what to do. All I want to be able to do is let them understand that they mean everything to us, and when they get behind the team, they lift us. It's having that lift as much as we possibly can for as many minutes as we possibly can. Hopefully, we can go on a run now to lift them and reconnect.

Have you spoken to the players about the protests?

I'm pretty sure they'll be they'll be aware of it. We just need to focus on the football aspect of it. Hopefully, we can get that support that can drive the team forward.










There was a meeting on Wednesday night, representing thousands of Celtic fans. Emotions were high, a lot of confusion, a lot of annoyance. The fans are really angry, not with you, not with the players, but the people who run the club. My question, do you have a message for the Celtic fans moving forward?

I understand the frustration. But I also know that 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 real power of Celtic.

I never want that to be broken, and for other people in other clubs to look at us in any other way than together.

I can't tell the supporters how to feel. Of course, there is that frustration. But what makes this club unique is exactly that. It's the passion and the commitment which sometimes bring these things to the boil, but I'm pretty sure the guys behind the scenes, as well, the board, won't want this either.

And we hope that we can find a solution that gets everyone reconnected. But also, I don't want to underestimate how much of a lift that the support can give us. It's absolutely critical. What a time to show our togetherness and strength, and hopefully we can do that.











The person who was talking to the paper. Do you think the club should do an investigation to find out who it is? You called him cowardly. Do you think they should just resign if it's found out who they are?

I don't think there's any doubt. I think if you're in the position I'm in with the weight of the club on my shoulders, to be the spokesperson, to be the manager, to be the psychologist, to be everything, it's so important that you feel supported.

Anyone who is briefing against that person when they could come and speak to me anytime. I'm here from early morning to late evening, or come to my house or do whatever.

We all have frustrations at times in our lives, especially at Celtic. I would never, ever think to bring that to the fore to hurt someone else, especially when that someone else is trying to give everything to the club. They actually didn't have to come back, but wanted to come back because of love for the club.

So yeah, I'm pretty sure there'll be some questions asked on that. There was quite a bit of detail in there. Wrong, may I add. But hopefully we'll find out.

 

Wow there 100% is an internal war between him an PL
It’s going to be 1 or the other next summer

 

Ive said all along it's the board that doesn't want him to stay beyond the 3 years not him

 

Club still hasn’t posted the full PC on youtube…they must be * it.

 

It truly is incredible that Rodgers doesn't have a contract offer on the table. I was actually encouraged by what was said that Rodgers being gone at the end of the season is not a foregone conclusion if we can get rid of Lawwell and company from the board.

 

They know what’s coming

 

Same situation with Callum’s Press Conference by the way

 

Where the * is celtic tvs coverage of the presser? * embarrassing again

 

So Nicholson and McKay are good guys but out of their depth. Lawwell a * and out of his depth.

Great comments from Rodgers. Puts more pressure on the board.

 

Its good, he'll give everything and as he knows he's exiting he'll be pretty frank..

Only massive changes at Boardroom level and structure would temp him to stay.

Hopefully he can do enough to help pave the way for change.. as well as the next guy.

 

No chance.

They don’t want anyone who will challenge and shed light on the way in which they operate.

 

* me I'm on chapter 8 of this post.

 

Get comfortable mate

 

They’ve now uploaded the press conference

fully edited and approved

 

So much bad blood between Rodgers and Lawwell.. it was a disgrace we accepted his return as Chairman

 

Got to admire how he managed that presser. Never easy answering questions and put on the spot generally, but I under these circumstances and given what he said that's probably the best performance of the season so far.