This morning, I published a Keith Jackass piece for the first time in a while, and the subject matter pretty much picked itself. To my way of thinking, if Celtic’s manager is going to be linked with a new crap job every week, let’s embrace the absurdity and link him to all of them, instead of pretending any of these rumours are credible.
Honestly, the idea of Rodgers being connected with the West Ham job is no less ludicrous than linking him with the Hearts gig.
After we moved five points clear, there was a grim inevitability about these stories. It’s the last scrap of hope some of these hacks have left. They might talk up their favourite club, but deep down they know that for any real change to happen, it’s Celtic that has to come undone. Beating a few SPFL teams isn’t enough to set up another Ibrox title.
The Spurs link was mad enough, considering they still have a manager, and there’s no sign of him being on the verge of an exit. Sure, we know Spurs have a low tolerance for perceived failure, and their fans are utterly unrealistic about their club’s prospects, but it’s early days. In case anyone missed it, West Ham also have a manager—one who’s only just taken the reins. Any scenario where he’s sacked this early would look atrocious.
As The Thick of It might say, “Sacked after six months? Looks like you messed up. Sacked after three? Looks like they messed up.”
West Ham want to be taken seriously, but sacking a manager after a handful of matches doesn’t scream stability or sound judgement.
It’s not just the fact these clubs already have managers, although that’s a massive clue this talk is baseless. For the first time since Rodgers returned, he’s a man in full command of his destiny and every aspect of Celtic’s footballing strategy.
I even took a dig at the Celtic board in the piece this morning, reminding everyone that they aren’t the sole architects of our success. As I’ve pointed out, it’s not Robert Kelly whose statue fronts the stadium—it’s Jock Stein, the man behind the first nine-in-a-row and the European Cup win.
The plain truth is, when you look at our signings from the last window, it surpasses anything we’ve done in recent times. That tells me Rodgers has won his internal battle.
He’s now driving the transfer agenda. If he gets the chance to fully rebuild that department with his own scouting network and trusted people, there’s no reason he won’t extend his current deal, which still has nearly two years left.
Rodgers made a clear commitment to the fans at his first press conference: he would honour the duration of his contract. Does that mean he’ll leave when his three years are up? Maybe. But I’m certain he won’t leave before then. I don’t see any situation where Rodgers voluntarily walks away before the end of next season. He’s repaired his relationship with the fans, and he won’t risk damaging it again, knowing that a second break would be permanent.
The circumstances were entirely different the last time he was here. Since his return, he’s made one error—letting others dictate the first transfer window. He put a stop to that after the summer and fought to regain control. Breaking our transfer record twice this time out proves he’s clawed back much of that control.
There’s never been a Celtic manager with this much authority within the club. And he’s not walking away from it. Not when everything is starting to gel, not when the pieces are falling into place. You can see progress being made, and with time, we might even see that progress translate into Europe, particularly in the Champions League.
The issue isn’t Rodgers. I have no worries on that score.
The issue is the media, clutching at straws and regurgitating the same tired narrative. This isn’t a fresh idea. “Successful Celtic manager must automatically be a target for other clubs”—it’s predictable, it’s boring, and frankly, it’s bad journalism at its worst, and even on a good day, I hesitate to use that word in connection with these people.
They need a new script because this one’s long past its sell-by date.
Is there any particular reason why you compare Celtics current position to that of Rangers’ consistently? For me you need to be looking at who the nearest competition is and that is Aberdeen.
Rangers cannot compete financially or via strength of squad or managerial capability. There is too much infighting and lack of any strategy or structure. They will only compete to be the best of the rest.
Just like season 21/22, other teams will not win the league, it will be Celtic that lose it…
He simply doesn’t compare Celtic’s current position Tony as he cannot given that ‘Rangers’ are dead and have been for over twelve years and if he does mention ‘Rangers’ he very correctly only does it in reference to anything that happened regarding them before The Excise (Revenue & Customs) finally killed them off in June 2012 for their years of cheating all their fellow and honest competitors and not only just Celtic…
And yes you’re correct ‘Rangers’ cannot compete financially or via strength of squad or managerial capability as like I explained in the first paragraph they’re as dead as the do-do !
Excellent point in your final paragraph all the same Tony !
I’ll simply NEVER put a half penny bit towards The Scummy Liars James and it’s only through yourself that I know of their anti Celtic evil poisoned crayons…
While it’s the choice of folks what to do with their own money any true Celtic supporter purchasing these rags really needs give themselves a really good shake to the core…
They truly DETEST us with every sinew of their fibre being so why financially support them then…
My estate is far more Celtic than Sevco yet three that I know three otherwise sound guys that buy the vomit in print rags daily…
Celtic to me is family – and I simply wouldn’t financially support anyone or anything that openly and nakedly deplored my family…
Hence my extremely hard to process thoughts of Celtic supporters that financially facilitate these undoubted ‘peepil’ !
The Scoddish meedja would gladly see the whole lot go to rack and ruin as long as the
zombies were on the top of the shit heap.
Yet, inexplicably they are also desperate for the national team to make its mark on the
world stage.
Brendan has won this battle though whether he’s brought the money men onboard with a longer term vision to match his ambition is another matter.
Our European adventure this year may help determine the length of this current unity. Well let’s call it unity for now. Success of this year will definitely determine the next 2/3/4 year strategy and should our Japanese bhoys be moved or decide to on, as you article from the other day alluded, then replacements for them will begin a new chapter or close the book on Brendan. Let’s be honest though his first dive into the transfer market appears to be a roaring success. So who knows, but for now Paradise is blooming and not yet lost. We should all enjoy it & fingers crossed on the future. HH
I like this suggestion that he might extend his stay if the set up continues to improve. I’d resigned myself that he’d definitely see out his current deal and that would be it but maybe…..
Lol they can’t have a go at us because how we sit top of the league bang goes gripe.
They can’t slag us about our Champions League performance we took care of that last week.
They can’t have a go at us being out the league cup,though they probably had the pencils sharpened at half-time.
So what do they do link our manager with the West Ham job.
Lol funny that how Kojak or any the nickel&dime managers that show up ibrox get a mention for any of these jobs.
If Spurs panic and pull the trigger with Ange, I don’t ever see them coming for any successful Celtic manager again, as they won’t view winning our league as a big deal.
What a bunch of rodents our media are, and that will never change. Broken records come to mind. Hail Hail.
Ps, I think Palma is an empty shirt, and I had so much hope for him. Lazy B