Many were left surprised when Brendan Rodgers decided to re-join Celtic in the summer following Ange Postecoglou’s exit.
Let’s be honest, how Brendan Rodgers left previously wasn’t great, so his return was always going to create extra headlines.
Whatever Celtic fans thought of the former Leicester City boss, then and now, one thing that can’t be argued is that he dominated like no other during his time in Scotland.
Therefore, the Northern Irishman didn’t have anything to prove, in regards to winning domestic trophies.
As a result, it was asked on the BBC. ‘What was Rodgers promised?’ By the powers that be at the club when he re-joined.
According to James McFadden, that’s a difficult question and it’s one he doesn’t think the man in the Parkhead dugout would answer, if it was put to him.
It was debated on BBC Radio Scotland (13/12/23 at 7:35 pm) how that question hasn’t been put to Brendan Rodgers because surely he returned to progress the team in Europe, rather than just win domestic trophies all over again.
Brendan Rodgers at Celtic
“What promises was he made, in terms of kicking on in Europe,” asked Tom English.
BBC presenter: “That one disappointment, for me. I haven’t heard that asked to him. What were you promised in the summer? Did you believe you were coming here, going into the Champions League games, not to be top of the group? But to be able to compete better. What was he promised?”
To which McFadden responded: “Yes, he wouldn’t answer that one.
“You need to bring in competition (in the January market). If you play for Celtic and new players come through the door. If it’s a left-back, the current left-back is going to say, ‘that guy is here to take my place. I won’t let him take it’. And the levels rise. Sometimes you make that player in that position better by bringing in competition.”
Celtic ambition
Even when Celtic aren’t really at full throttle this season, in terms of performances, the team is still sitting top of the Scottish Premiership table.
And with Rangers visiting Parkhead on December 30, then things could get more comfortable heading into the New Year with three points on that day.
On the domestic scene, it’s just a case of going again and doing what the team has been doing for a decade…and that’s dominating.
But fans want to see progression and ambition in Europe. The argument would be that, from the transfers, the powers that be haven’t shown that, so will they back the manager in January and beyond now?
Leave a Reply