BRENDAN RODGERS insists he is does not need “to bite my tongue” as he backed up his words following Celtic’s 3-0 home win over St Mirren at the weekend.
The Hoops gaffer let the fans know how he felt following their negative response while the scores were level and he asked for respect for Greg Taylor after a section of the support chanted the name of Kieran Tierney, who has, of course, been linked with a return to the champions.
As Rodgers prepares his players for tomorrow night’s visit of Dundee United in a game where they have the opportunity to go SIXTEEN points clear at the Premiership pinnacle, the Irishman was unrepentant even if his reaction did take a few followers by surprise.
The team chief said: “I’m experienced enough to say what I think and what I feel. But not in a derogatory way to anyone.
“I’d be the last person, coming back to here and everything I’ve put myself through to be here. I’m so happy I came back. I love my life and I love my job here.
“But it’s also important to be able to say what I think. Sometimes you are paid not to say what you think. But there are moments when you have to.
“And I’m at the stage now in my career and my life where I don’t need to bite my tongue.
“We just get on with winning football games. We win games, play well and that’s what’s important.”
Rodgers, speaking to Sky Sports, continued: “I know what the power of this club is when everything’s together and that unity is there. And, also, what it feels like for the players to be out there getting that amazing support.
“I can understand off the back of the Rangers game and not playing anywhere near what our level was. So I can understand a bit of fret and a bit of worry.
“My priority with the players is the performance level and that comes from training and the games, creating that atmosphere which the players can thrive in.
“That’s what I’m here to do. To manage and be the best that I possibly can be for Celtic in my time here, however long that is. And, of course, I will stand up for that.
“And once my time is done I can step back, wait for the next manager to come in, support him and look forward to seeing 60 games of high intensity football for 95 minutes every week. And I will be really happy!”
Looking forward to the visit of Jim Goodwin’s side who prevented the Hoops from scoring for the first time this season in the goalless draw at Tannadice last month, Rodgers added: “They’re very good and you can see that from where they sit in the league.
“They clearly are getting results and performances and doing very, very well.
“They made it very difficult for us up there in difficult conditions and we couldn’t make the breakthrough that day. But I would like to think this will be a totally different game.”
The Hoops, unfortunately, also fired blanks in the 3-0 loss at Ibrox last week, but came back to anticipated levels against the Paisley Saints when Nicolas Kuhn hit a double to take his goal tally to 16 while Auston Trusty claimed his first strike for the club.
