IN THE aftermath of a depressing display and a dismal 3-1 reverse against Hearts at Tynecastle on Sunday, Brendan Rodgers delivered a defiant message to the concerned Celtic support.
“My determination is pretty much there,” stressed the manager. “I’ve never worked harder in all my time here. So, the motivation is there to try and flip the levels that we’re at.”
Those words were still echoing when the news emerged late last night of the Irishman’s dramatic resignation.
It begs the questions: Did he jump? Or was he pushed?
The solemn promise and the subsequent deeds seem at odds, don’t they?
WORRYING…Brendan Rodgers delivers his warning on the eve of the Premiership kick-off.
There have been a few mixed signals coming out of Parkhead over the past two or three months and, as early as August 1, two days before the Premiership got underway with the visit of St Mirren, Rodgers took to the air waves to create some consternation among the ranks.
Asked about the possibility of signing an extension as he went into the third and final year of his contract, the manager informed us via Sky Sports he had had a meeting with Dermot Desmond, the principal shareholder, and Michael Nicholson, the chief executive, during the summer.
Somewhat threateningly, Rodgers added: “There are conditions we want in to be able to improve and be better because I’m not the type of manager who is good at maintaining anything.
“If it’s just something to maintain, I’m not the manager for Celtic. It’ll be someone else.”
I said then that the Celtic team chief couldn’t have made his thoughts any more emphatically if he had taken out advertising on the big screens in New York’s Times Square.
Politely, I also asked Rodgers “to put a sock in it and get on with the game” – and you can read that here.
PRIZE GUYS…skipper Callum McGregor and manager Brendan Rodgers celebrate Celtic’s twelfth title in 13 years.
Plus there was the gentle reminder the Irishman’s “exit date could be hastened if the board decide to sack him as they are entitled to do if they are not impressed with his endeavours.”
Clearly, supremo Desmond wasn’t utterly satisfied with what was being delivered from the man in the dug-out and he made those feelings abundantly obvious in a damning statement, as CQN reported earlier today.
I can only feel deep remorse that it has come to this. When Rodgers walked in the door on a sunny May afternoon in 2016, it looked like a marriage made in heaven.
Two successive trebles in his first two campaigns and a League Cup in the third were won in fine style, but the bon homie vanished in the blink of an eye when he dramatically vamoosed back across the border when Leicester City came calling in February 2019.
There were many who did not want Rodgers to get the opportunity to return to the club in June 2023 as successor to Ange Postecoglou. Your humble scribe was not among that number.
I welcomed back what is termed these days as an “elite manager”.
HIGH SPIRITS…Brendan Rodgers gets involved in a kickabout with the Celtic fans after the Premiership crown had been sealed in a 5-0 win over Dundee United at Tannadice on April 26.
But, just a week ago, I stated some concerns when I wrote: “Brendan has utilised The Bumper Book of Football Excuses on numerous occasions in recent months. It’s all beginning to sound a little hollow.
“I’ve been a supporter of the Irishman since day one. Back in August, as Rodgers went into the third and final term of his three-year contract, there was a clamour from many for the manager to extend his stay.
“I wonder how many of those followers feel the same way today.”
Maybe Brendan believed he was bombproof. There is no such thing in the beautiful game. One minute a hero, the next a zero. Sad, but true.
So, it’s all over for Rodgers for a second time and once more it’s bye, bye Brendan.
On this occasion, though, it is highly unlikely he will be invited back for a third time.
ALEX GORDON
