Yesterday, Brendan Rodgers confirmed the quiet revolution which has been happening at Celtic.

Yesterday I put up a piece about Arne Engels and the need for patience and tolerance from our fans, asking them to reflect on times we’ve judged players harshly before really understanding their potential. And even as I was publishing it, Brendan Rodgers was saying virtually the same thing at his press conference.

I was very glad the boss said it.

It’s one thing for a blogger to make that case—I wasn’t the only one, and I was pleased to see others echoing the sentiment—but hearing it from the manager carries a different weight. His words resonate, cut through the noise, and make an impact. I was particularly happy that he mentioned Kuhn and that he also brought up Paulo Bernardo, who had plenty of doubters when he signed. I know this firsthand because I was one of them. Many weren’t convinced signing him long-term was the right move. I’ll admit I was in that camp as well.

What Brendan essentially said was to trust him, his judgment, and his ability not just to spot players but to develop them—to turn good players into great ones. His career has shown that he can do it, and it’s a reminder that we should have faith. After all, if we weren’t good at identifying talent, we wouldn’t be where we are now, with so many trophies and titles under our belt.

Brendan also had some other interesting things to say at that presser, particularly about January. He confirmed that he’d like to see improvement but made no specific promises or highlighted particular positions. There was a report suggesting we’re after a winger and a young striker. I’ll come back to the striker idea another time, but the winger is something we’ve all talked about. It seems like a logical conclusion, and it might suggest we’re nearing the end of the road with Luis Palma. The boss wasn’t drawn into specifics on that, though, keeping his cards close to his chest. However, he did make a couple of points that I think are worth noting.

First, he emphasised the importance of having someone like Paul Tisdale involved. Brendan spoke highly of him, and for much the same reasons we’ve discussed here—Tisdale’s experience as a former manager is particularly invaluable., and Brendan made that point.

You don’t want someone who’s never been in the dugout or made tough calls deciding how to build a team. It’s far better to have someone who understands the manager’s mindset, who knows the sharp end of the job and respects the responsibilities that come with it.

This is why I was delighted when Tisdale was appointed. His managerial credentials might not be stellar, but that’s irrelevant. What matters is that he understands how a team should be built: to the manager’s specifications, without second-guessing or working around him. As I suspected, these two are shaping up to be a formidable team.

Second, Brendan came out with something so neat and well-phrased it could’ve come straight from a spin doctor: “You don’t wait for the future to plan for the future.”

That’s exactly what we’ve discussed here so many times.

The club needs to think two or three moves ahead, planning not just for this summer but the one after and the one beyond that. It’s encouraging to hear that Brendan and Tisdale have already started mapping out these medium- and long-term priorities. It’s no surprise they’re doing it, but it’s reassuring to know it’s happening.

I also found it interesting that Brendan mentioned sitting down to discuss academy players and their potential roles in the team. This isn’t just about signings anymore—it’s about progression at every level of the club. It’s becoming clear that a major revolution is underway in how the football department operates. For the first time, it seems like the football side of the organisation is being run independently, as many of us have long advocated. Yes, it’s funded and budgeted by the larger organisation, but it’s finally working autonomously.

For a press conference where not much seemed to be said, I found a lot of what was said to be fascinating. It bodes well for the future. Big things are happening behind the scenes—the kinds of things we’ve been waiting to see. The club is being put on a new footing, with a clearer vision, and it’s exciting to see Brendan and Tisdale leading the way.