‘Cowardly action’ a resigning matter says Brendan Rodgers

Brendan Rodgers emerged from today’s press conference as the first Celtic employee to publicly address what has been an extraordinary and bruising week for the club…

While the boardroom remained silent, the manager sat alone to face the media and, in doing so, delivered a measured but pointed response to every major issue hanging over the club over the course of the last couple of weeks.

Despite the backdrop of fan protests, internal leaks, and a chaotic transfer window, Rodgers stayed professional throughout. But he did not shy away from the big questions.

He calmly acknowledged Celtic’s problems, expressed empathy for frustrated supporters, and made clear where improvements are needed if the club is to break the damaging cycle of recent seasons, but he also took aim at those who deserved it, and he certainly
didn’t miss.

Rodgers began by reflecting on the close of a fraught transfer window, admitting relief that the speculation was finally over, but on this issue no-one was thrown under the bus, that would come later.

“I’m glad the window is shut, there’s a really good spirit in the team,” the Celtic manager admitted.

“There’s been a lot of uncertainty and instability, we accept it could have been better for us but now it’s behind us. My job as manager is to pull everything together and get us moving again. We have to accept and take responsibility that the window wasn’t what we wanted. I believe we have talented players.”

Rodgers also addressed the late departure of striker Adam Idah to Swansea City, pointing out it was not Adam’s wish to leave, and explaining the unexpected nature of the move, and that the transfer pieces didn’t fall into place initially in terms of a striker replacement. But he also talked up the arrival of replacement striker Kelechi Iheanacho, a player he worked previously with at Leicester City.

“Adam was a player who hadn’t asked to leave. Swansea wanted him around the same time as other possibilities could have happened for us. We didn’t want to lose him. It looked as though it would be one out, one in, but that didn’t happen for whatever reason. Kelechi (Iheanacho) is robust and has genuine talent.”

The manager was also asked about whether he understood the supporters’ anger, at the transfer window debacle, admitting the club’s summer business left many questioning its ambition.

“Absolutely. We were all frustrated,” Brendan said. “You respect the fans of your club, it’s why we love Celtic and the Celtic support. They keep us honest, they keep us driving and pushing.”

And Rodgers also acknowledged the need for better communication between the club and the supporters after a summer that left relationships strained to say the least. He touched on ‘that’ statement, perhaps hinting there may be further communication from the club to come, but underlined it is his role to move the club forward to more success.

“The club put out a statement and I’m not here to answer those questions because they are not mine. Over the coming weeks, it will become clear how that evolves. I’m not here to tell supporters how to feel. I know it, I feel it because I grew up with it. Supporters want to see the club develop not just domestically; we have to be looking to perform better in Europe.

“The quality of your life is the quality of your communication. After this summer that is something the club will most definitely look at. My thoughts currently are purely on getting the team back playing with our identity again. My job as the manager, this is the situation I’m now in. I’ve never been more determined to succeed now the window is shut this season. In fact, it’s my duty.”

Asked whether Celtic’s transfer approach needs reform, Rodgers offered a frank assessment of the tension between the club’s business model and footballing needs. He admitted the recruitment issues led to his exit from Celtic last time around, but that it won’t happen this time. However, he admitted to feeling ‘empty’ about it all, something the fans will recognise as mirroring our own emotions on that subject.

“I think the business model of the club is highly successful. What we have to marry that in with is the football. Not just investment, timing of investment. It was clear what we needed, and we needed it early. We had these qualification games. Summer 2025 was a critical window for us to get players in to be ready for these games, and we weren’t ready.

“That made me leave last time. This time I won’t do that, one hundred per cent. I said 150 per cent a few weeks ago, so I’ll go back to that! It didn’t make me think of walking away, I just felt empty, if I’m honest.”

Despite the turbulence of the last few weeks, Rodgers reiterated his desire to remain at Celtic beyond his current deal, which expires at the end of the season, explaining there would have to be ‘conditions’ met before he would commit to a contract extension, but admitting that so far an offer has not been forthcoming.

“It hasn’t really changed from the last time. I would love to stay here longer. I’ve had informal chats with Dermot (Desmond) and Michael (Nicholson) but no offer to consider. One hundred per cent I’m open to staying in the right circumstances. I guaranteed I would do three years, and if going forward I do get offered a deal, there does have to be conditions in that that allow me to work the best I can.”

As we know around this time last week a ‘Celtic Insider’ was quoted in a tabloid article pointing the finger of blame at the manager. It was a desperately embarrassing moment for those inside the club, and maddening for supporters, but Rodgers met the question today head on.

There was no couching his feelings, instead the Celtic boss addressed the damaging newspaper reports, claiming senior insiders were unhappy with him, by describing the report as ‘cowardly’.

“It was interesting when I was shown that. My honest take? I thought it was a cowardly action from whoever it is. Was I surprised by it? Not really. I was briefed upon the last time I was here, when I left, and now that I’ve come back.”

When asked if he knew who was behind the leaks, he simply replied, “No.” You can be assured that he’ll have his suspect list though, perhaps someone who he didn’t mention in today’s media conference. On the specific suggestion that the club should investigate the source, Rodgers left the door open for a frank conversation.

🗣️ "It is a cowardly action. Was I surprised by it? Not really."
🗣️ "I don't think there's any doubt {the leak should resign]"

Brendan Rodgers reacts after someone at Celtic leaked information claiming he wanted to leave 🚨 pic.twitter.com/C87k5MENcd

— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) September 12, 2025

“I don’t think there’s any doubt. If you are sitting where I am with the weight I have on my shoulders, it’s so important to feel supported. Whoever is briefing, they can come here and speak to me at any time. We all will have frustrations at times in our life, but I would never think of going and bringing that to the fore to hurt someone else. Especially someone who didn’t have to come back but wanted to come back.”

🔊 LISTEN: “It was a cowardly action from whoever it is… Was I surprised by it? No, not really.”

🍀 Brendan Rodgers is criticising the Celtic ‘insider’ who leaked to the media that Rodgers was trying to “engineer his exit” from the club. ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/znxHn1kGBr

— Clyde 1 Superscoreboard (@ClydeSSB) September 12, 2025

Eventually, Rodgers also provided updates on the squad, confirming Kieran Tierney had trained and new signing Kelechi Iheanacho was available for the weekend.

On Daizen Maeda’s admission that he had sought a move, Rodgers was also candid. “Daizen wanted to leave in February. I still feel that if a player wants to leave, we have to be ready for that, but we weren’t in this window.”

Despite the tensions, he stressed respect for key figures behind the scenes and let it be known he was meeting with Celtic’s CEO later today. That will no doubt be a very interesting meeting.

“I am speaking to Michael (Nicholson) later this afternoon. On a personal level, I have huge respect for Dermot (Desmond). He’s a big reason why I came back. Michael and Chris (McKay) are good guys, in on Christmas Day, these are honest guys. We just have to make sure our football model is lined up, or we’re just going to be in this cycle.”

Finally, Rodgers addressed the supporters directly, recognising their right to protest while urging unity, an understandable call from a manager with a team approaching an incredibly busy and challenging part of the season.

“I understand the frustration. But I also know the quicker we can become one and come together, that’s where the strength lies in Celtic. Everyone together, fighting for the one cause, that’s the power of Celtic. I’m pretty sure the guys on our board won’t want this either. I hope we can find a solution that can get everyone together again.”

Brendan Rodgers’ performance today was a lesson in controlled leadership. He offered honesty without hysteria and criticism without (too much) confrontation.

While he avoided inflaming tensions with the board, he made it clear that Celtic’s football operations need sharper alignment if the club is to progress in Europe and avoid repeating the same damaging mistakes. But he’ll know as well as we do that we’ve heard all this before.

In a week where some notable figures chose silence rather than bravery, Rodgers spoke with clarity and conviction. For supporters demanding accountability, his words may not fix everything overnight, but they were a reminder that, at least on the football side, Celtic still has a figure determined to lead with both dignity and determination.

Now we need the same from others inside the club.

Niall J

Read this from Niall J on the next page…Step forward, Michael. Answer the questions your supporters are demanding…