BONHOMIE enveloped Tannadice on a sunkissed April afternoon last year as a beaming Brendan Rodgers delivered the words the Celtic fans craved.
“I am very hungry to win,” said the Irishman. “We want to be the most successful team we can be. I will be here next year, 200%. I said 150% a few weeks ago. Now it’s 200%.”
Rodgers produced another radiant smile and added: “I have never been happier here.”
The second time-around Celtic manager had just led the team to their fourth successive title, claiming the silverware in suitably sparkling fashion with a 5-0 triumph over Dundee United.
LOVE IS IN THE AIR…Brendan Rodgers blows kisses to the Celtic fans at Tannadice.
The overjoyed gaffer took time off in between postmatch interviews to fire footballs into the area populated by the club’s joyous and exhilarated supporters. Kisses were blown as unabashed jubilation abounded in a little corner of Scotland.
And Rodgers had every right to flash his pearly whites. He had just overseen his eleventh honour from a possible twelve up for grabs over his two periods as manager of the club.
In the midst of euphoria overload, no-one was to know that this native of Carnlough in Northern Ireland would never get his hands on another trophy as Celtic manager.
The opportunity to add the Scottish Cup the following month was lost in an unfathomably feeble display in the showpiece against an Aberdeen team they had thrashed 5-1 at Pittodrie in the league only ten days earlier.
There can be no argument the summer transfer wheeling and dealing didn’t quite go according to plan and, for reasons known only to himself, Rodgers decided to make a fairly unconventional speech as he prepared his players for the August 3 Premiership kick-off against St Mirren on the now-customary Flag Day in the east end of Glasgow.
BALL BHOY…Brendan Rodgers displays his skills on Tayside after the title triumph.
Taking centre stage for a live interview with Sky Sports, a grim-looking Rodgers revealed a summer head-to-head meeting with Dermot Desmond, the club’s principal shareholder, and chief executive Michael Nicholson.
With a fair amount of emphasis, he stated: “If it’s just to maintain, I am not the manager for Celtic.”
Remember, please, this was a mere ninety-six days after Rodgers’ stirring declaration on Tayside.
The turnaround in commitment was as staggering as it was unexpected. Extraordinary doesn’t come close.
The sheer elation of April practically disintegrated in that remarkable pre-season presentation.
Dark clouds gathered quickly, tame elimination from the Champions League at the qualifying stage to the anonymous Kairat Almaty of Kazakhstan added to the starkly and seemingly-sinister atmosphere around the place.
Following miserable back-to-back league defeats to Dundee at Dens Park and Hearts at Tynecastle in October, Rodgers was on his way.
Did he jump or was he pushed? Perhaps we will never know.
One thing is certain. Rodgers left to the thunderous echoes of scathing condemnation from club supremo Desmond that accused the departing team chief of “divisive, misleading and self-serving” behaviour.
It wasn’t meant to end like this.
TAKING AIM…Brendan Rodgers poses with a rifle while wearing a traditional Saudi ensemble.
Instead of leading Celtic back to the venue where much gaiety and festivity flourished in April last year, Rodgers will be preparing his Al Qadsiah players for the forthcoming Saudi Pro League fixture at Al-Ettifaq.
Bizarre images of Rodgers in the traditional robes and holding a rifle just add to the absurdity of the entire situation.
That last hurrah on Tayside must seem like a lifetime away for the Irishman.
ALEX GORDON
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