The first question I was asked this morning by a solicitor and non-football fan was, “How much is Brendan Rodgers worth?” I said, “He’s probably earned around £30m over the last 15 years”. “So he has enough to sue, if anything Dermot Desmond said is wrong”, came back. You and I both know, he’s not going to sue. It’s all true. It is also high time Celtic took a direct approach to communicating with the supporters.
Who of us would have guessed that Brendan Rodgers, Brendan Rodgers, the man of legendary impeccable character, would have his “conduct and communication” called into question? How shocked was I to read that Brendan’s assertion about the club were “simply untrue”! Untruths come easier to some than others.
Two players in particular are pertinent to the assertion that Brendan had “full knowledge, approval, and endorsement” of players bought and sold; Kyogo and Nicolas Kuhn. “Sell them” is not what should have been said when offers came in for either player. Brendan has favourites in the squad. Others, not so much.
The first thing Martin O’Neill is likely to do when he meets the squad is put an arm around Reo Hatate, Daizen Maeda, and put a call into Cameron Carter-Vickers. Where there are favourites, there are outsiders. Celtic have looked and played like a team divided for most of this year.
This absolute mess was predictable and predicted. On his return as manager in June 2023, I wrote, “Brendan will find a united dressing room, backroom and supporter base. We should all try hard to keep things this way, self-indulgent schisms do nothing for Celtic.” Two years later Dermot Desmond wrote that Brendan’s words and actions were “divisive, misleading, and self-serving”.
Predicted: “Self-indulgent schisms” and we got “divisive… self-serving”. I called it.
The wee-man toxicity that left the club in 2019 was welcomed back to my utter astonishment. Pardon my, “Welcome to Celtic, Brendan” on the day, it was with the best intentions but not entirely sincere.
Martin O’Neill was brought in with a remit to unite the dressing room. A team divided cannot win. Players need to know they are respected. The Honda Civic stuff was not a material comment, merely a public manifestation of what had been the reality at Lennoxtown for a long time.
Celtic has been set back years as a consequence of the decision to appoint Brendan in 2023. I hope the board recognise this, reflect how it came about and on their role in the mess. If you welcome the fox into the hen house, you cannot complain when he eats the hens.
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Moisey17 on 29th October 2025 8:05 am
I sincerely hope that BR is able and willing to take DD to task
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Moisey17 – cheers. Noted.
I sincerely hope he doesn’t.
My thinking is simple.
DD’s statement was published on the club website.
So its a club thing. The club being Celtic.
Could he / should he have done different?
The debate will play out for sure.
One certainty though. He DID. Past tense.
Brendan Rodgers is no longer a Celtic employee.
As of this week he has nowt to do with our club.
He’s an outsider.
An outsider vs Celtic?
Particularly if money is involved?
I side with Celtic (and all its warts)
q.
has anyone received hampden semi final tickets in the hampden app ?
Finding a lot of the debate on here over the last day or two predictably over-heated and unhelpful. Some balance from Auldheid today, thankfully. I am just trying to process what has happened and keep out of a discussion that is taking us nowhere for now.
On a separate point I just read an interview in a tax law journal with the main lawyer in the tax case against the dead club.
Question: “You were the leading counsel for HMRC in the Rangers case, one of the most important tax decisions in recent memory. Was there anything about that litigation that surprised you at the time?”
Answer: “HMRC’s case was very simple: to say ‘do not pay my wages to me, pay my mama [or my friendly EBT], which I am happy about because my mama/EBT is likely to lend or give me this money’ does not work. Put like that, it seemed very simple and right. I was very surprised that HMRC lost twice and the surprise (and for some, outrage) at HMRC’s wins in the Inner House and the Supreme Court.”
For those unhappy with our custodians, we should also remember they have run our club as well as they know how, have respected the law of the land and their tax obligations, and have never sunk anywhere near this level of naked cheating. Time for a bit of perspective and to go forward constructively.
https://theorg.com/org/celtic-football-club/org-chart/michael-nicholson
Interesting pronoun usage for Nicholson.
After I read Desmonds statement ( On Official Celtic Website), my immediate thought was Brendan Rodgers ( and his lawyers), MAY have a field day in Court over the personal accusations by DD towards Brendan.
At the VERY LEAST, I suggested that MAYBE Brendan would take Celtic FC to an Employment Tribunal for ” CONSTRUCTIVE DISMISSAL” over the disgraceful comments by Desmond in his statement ?
A day later, I am NOW thinking that an ” EMPLOYMENT TRIBUNAL” MAY be the least concern that Celtic FC need to worry about right now, because IF Brendan and his Lawyers go FULL TONTO towards a charge of ” DEFAMNATION OF CHARACTER ” etc in a higher Court, Celtic FC MAY well be on very shaky ground ?
WHY did Michael Nicolson ( A TRAINED Solicitor) and possibly others on the Celtic Board NOT see just how damaging Desmonds statement was/is BEFORE it was published and warn him about some heavy legal consequences IF Brendan took Celtic FC to Court and possibly WON ?
Nicolson and others on that Board are far too SCARED to question Desmond…End of !
I will say no more for now, But I am speaking as someone who DID take their Employer to Court a few years ago and WON my case in the 1st TEN MINUTES on the 1st Day of the 3 Day Hearing.
Lastly, Celtic FC better HOPE and PRAY that Brendan decides AGAINST taking any form of legal action against the Club, as he may feel that he wishes to have no further part in any dealings with Celtic FC, and decides it’s MAYBE NOT WORTH all the Hassle that would involve taking Celtic FC to an Employment Tribunal and/or a HIGHER Court for DEFAMNATION OF CHARACTER etc ?
Having said that….Brendan would have Lawyers to do ALL the Ground Work for him BEFORE and During any Legal proceedings, they would be earning their money ?
The fact that John Kennedy followed Brendan out the door will simply be ignored by those determined to blame BR on everything. It doesn’t fit with their narrative.
There’s more chance of P67 covering the protest tonight than John Kennedy’s departure being discussed.
Not wholly sure about this executive obsession with managerial ‘bright young things’.
I sometimes wonder what more seasoned pro’s – father figures almost – like Graham Arnold, Roger Schmidt, Jocky Loew, Graham Potter or even the nearby John McGlynn would do with the (coughs…) rich resources and stable support structures at their disposal at Celtic Park and Lennoxtown ?
Incidentally, I found Shaun Maloney (and MON) to both be very personable in their club presser.
I have always thought very highly of MON, even BEFORE he joined Celtic as manager in 2000.
When I watched MON and SHAUN MALONEY on SKY TV and the Press Conference yesterday afternoon, my heart SANK !
I felt that MARTIN was playing to the Gallery in a joking fashion etc, while wee Shaun was his ” STRAIGHT MAN”.
Their ” Routine” did NOT impress me one bit.
Ive never been impressed with Shaun Maloney as a player or manager.
MAYBE, I will be proved WRONG and MON and SHAUN really do deliver for Celtic on the field in whatever time they have in the Dug Out, time will tell, but I am NOT optimistic, especially with the FIT Players that are available at this moment in time ?
I am VERY CONCERNED about the Huns game on Sunday in particular, as the Huns WILL be smelling Celtic Blood right now !
Let’s move on ,support the team tonight, as for the new manager ,hopefully its not a ex player or manager,Ange, don’t think Dermot Desmond would want him back, as Martin Oneil said yesterday its a young vibrant good coach that they are looking to bring in,personally I hope so and one who looks like a coach and not a business man with them awful grey suits on the touchline.
Two things need to happen NOW.
A concerted effort by ALL shareholders to get rid of Desmond.
As dear Fergus would say, so not spend one thin dime buying Celtic gear.
Hit them hard
kingLUBO
BIG JIMMY – Yeh MON was trying a bit hard to run the ‘charming old duffer’ routine but I eventually thought it defused what could have been a horror press and fan press session.
Shaun – a naturally quieter guy – struck me as a humble and non-BS kind of bloke who said he didnt covet the Managers Job but that he was here to help out in a temp capacity; struck me as genuine.
More, I fancy us to show up well in our next two ties.
big jimmy
Brendan Rodgers hasn’t a hope in hell of winning a defamation case in the High Court London against either Dermot Desmond or Celtic FC or both. The old defence of “fair comment” (which it is in my view) has been replaced by that of “Honest Opinion” supported by true facts (may well be a contractual clause breached here) and in my view (maybe Mike Nicholson’s as well) meets the criteria for such a defence. Of course Brendan might enjoy being in the limelight down on the Strand (or even doing the Strand) but he will not enjoy all his statements, inferences. broadcasts, language etc be systematically dismantled by a Lawyer who specialises in this area, before a High Court Judge, who may brand Brendan as a “less than reliable witness” or worse being in Robert Armstrong memorable phrase “economical with the truth”.
I was largely underwhelmed by the presser yesterday.
Wasn’t expecting much to be fair.
Equally, I’m not expecting much from the newly convened coaching team.
A look at the names and the personalities
Martin, Shaun, Stevie Woods, Gavin S, Stephen McManus and “Fozzy”?
IMHO, that’s a group who can reasonably be expected to “lift them up a bit” and “keep them ticking over”
Nothing more.
Which i think is fine in the short term.
If we don’t have a new manager in the next 5-6 weeks though?
I think it will become a problem.
SAINT STIVS on 29TH OCTOBER 2025 9:57 AM
q.
has anyone received hampden semi final tickets in the hampden app ?
…..
Not yet maybe Thursday or Friday?
Bhoys Town on 29th October 2025 10:04 am
Very good post expressing surprise at the initial verdicts in Scottish courts favouring Rangers until it eventually went to the the High Court and then to London where there was 5-0 verdict against them – thank you.
Of course, we must not forget that the Scottish Government has agreed to an inquiry into why several professional people were maliciously prosecuted by the Scottish Police Authority and The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. This has gone quiet for over a year – we must hold our politicians to account to make sure this does happen.
MoN job is to keep us in a title race.
8 points behind after 9 games with Hearts and the Huns yet to come to Celtic Park should hold no fear for Celtic.
I found it interesting yesterday that Maloney said they’d have little to no input into January recruitment.
That clearly is a problem and should signal a short tenure before a permanent appointment.
It seems strange that Celtic have asked Chelsea for permission to speak to coach Calum McFarlane with a view to bringing him to Parkhead as part of the coaching team, especially when they’re looking for a new manager, who might want to bring his own coaching team.
Strange that is, until you consider that Ange Postocoglou tried to take McFarlane to Tottenham when he moved south in 2023.
It’s happening. Am tellin yeez.
Hopefully tonight and sunday will will pose a problem for opposition as again hopefully Martin and Shaun will be more direct and not ‘Horseshoe’ the game to boring!
MON is a great temp gaffer. Not sure we could have got anything better.
To work Celtic. Back the team tonight, bring out the old songs we used to sing when MON and his team were strutting around our hallowed turf.
Wonder if Agathe will start tonight? He should win us plenty of corners for Engels to whip in.
Celtic Mac on 29th October 2025 10:53 am
big jimmy
Brendan Rodgers hasn’t a hope in hell of winning a defamation case in the High Court London against either Dermot Desmond or Celtic FC or both….
before a High Court Judge, who may brand Brendan as a “less than reliable witness” or worse being in Robert Armstrong memorable phrase “economical with the truth”.
……………..
CELTIC MAC…..
Just one point for now, DO you think that Desmond was telling the TRUTH when he claimed in his statement that ” Every Pound that Celtic make gets reinvested in the Club”…?
OR….Maybe Desmond is the one who is being ECONOMICAL with the Truth ?
Logged out
Really enjoyed (for the most part) the read back!
We should get rid of our managers more often.
Won’t make the Hoot on Friday as on taxi duty, so have a great day Bhoys!
C’MON THE CELTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yup. Biggest mistake was letting the Ego bag in the building. His equivocating in pressers and post-match interviews was getting more blatant week on week.
We now have a sack-the-board cult, where weaker intellects troll anyone who asks reasonable questions about where blame / responsibility should be apportioned between manager and board.
This board has brought financial stability – no small thing – and notable success. They have failed to move the club up a gear and have failed to meet the aspirations and expectations of the supporters. Something must change. But ‘baby and bathwater’ comes to mind. We should not emulate the grunts on the other side of the city. Sacking someone is the admission of managerial / administrative failure and should not be done without replacements or alternative strategy in place. I’m waiting to hear what that is from the cultists.
The poster of “Aye right Paul.Put that brown tongue away.Nobody likes seeing it.” is a prime example of such a stupid cult.
There’s been a lot of hypocrisy among a lot of supporters since the shit hit the fan on Monday.
Every time over the past 20 years when Celtic suffered a bad result or went through a tricky period – season 2020/21 – people on here slaughtered John Kennedy and questioned what he did for the club.
In fact as recently as Sunday week after defeat at Dens Park, some CQNers were condemning JK for not doing his job when it comes to coaching the defence to defend corners.
Now that Kennedy has left the building, his departure is being lamented by all and sundry as a big loss and as someone who will be sorely missed.
For the avoidance of doubt, I defended JK on CQN after the defeat at Dens Park and was laughed at.
Some people need to be careful what they wish for.
First I support the team.
Second the manager, who is a high paid qualified individual in a high states job – I will respect him when he does well and question him when he doesn’t.
I never understood the hand wringing when Paul67 indicated his mistrust in BR – all managers need to be open to criticism. I also never understood the lionizing of MON or BR; see my point above on their job requirements.
All that said I discovered very quickly that I like MON better than I did BR (including his first stint – snake oil salesman feelings still prevail).
Tex
If Ange comes back, will we hold a world record of appointing managers twice?:
Billy McNeill
First spell: 1978–1983
Second spell: 1987–1991
Martin O’Neill
First spell: 2000–2005
Second spell: 2025 (Interim)
Neil Lennon
First spell: 2010–2014
Second spell: 2019–2021
Brendan Rodgers
First spell: 2016–2019
Second spell: 2023–2025
Ange Postecoglu
First spell: 2021-2023
Second spell: ???
If anyone mentions John Barnes, I am signing off.
Some on CQN were getting stuck into Celtic, for keeping Kennedy after BR resigned.
Then a few minutes later they found out Kennedy has gone as well.
Changed their tune to why no proper send off for Kennedy but no acknowledgement that they jumped in with both feet
If Brendan was in charge next weekend against this poor Rangers side, how many here would be confident of a result. I know I wouldn’t be and I don’t think I am alone in that thought.
Not that I could have any bearing on what happens at Celtic Park but I feel that is the simple reason he is gone
new article will be up at noon.
The reinvestment claim is an interesting one. For sure, the board seem clueless at worst or lack transparency at best as to plans for the £100 million.
That said, the money is the clubs – it’s not as though it is being used to pay bumper dividends to shareholders – the preferred shareholder dividend has stayed fixed for 30 years and ordinary shares receive no dividend at all.
So technically, the money is available to be reinvested – just not sure the board know what the hell to do with it, and if they do, they aren’t telling us.
Can’t see that boycotting merchandise is going to have much effect on DD – and Christmas is just around the corner so not sure that fans will withhold their cash if their kids are desperate for that Iheanacho labelled third kit.
The board does definitely need a shake up – but getting rid of DD is a pipe dream unless he has had enough – and who knows what happens next?
Donny Bhoy
Are you a hun?
An Tearmann are you a retard or just a stupid cult?
Some on here would believe John Kennedy was simply ‘caught up in it,’ a man without the ability to make his own stand or calculate his own career moves.