Bitter Barry Ferguson believes that his ‘lucky Celtic’ comments got under the skin of Brendan Rodgers.
The former Clyde boss became a laughing stock following the claim made after Celtic’s 3-2 win over Sevco at Ibrox.
Most pundits acknowledged it as a managerial masterclass that demonstrated why one manager gets paid a basic of £2.5m a year while a youth coach gets promoted onto £125,000 a year.
According to Ferguson the hoops boss got lucky with the sending off of Jozo Simunovic which apparently handed the initiative to Celtic.
During his managerial reign at Clyde Fergie never started matches with ten men.
Even his former Ibrox team-mate Lee McCulloch has praised Rodgers and admitted that spending a day at Lennoxtown watching the hoops boss in action was more beneficial that a month of coaching courses working with bibs and cones.
In the Daily Record Ferguson claims: “When I said Brendan Rodgers got lucky in last month’s derby it seemed to get right under the Celtic manager’s skin.
“I was surprised that he chose to react so strongly and it’s a pity if I upset him because I have nothing but the utmost respect for him and everything he has done in the game. But I’m not in the least bit sorry.”
It seems that Ferguson in interpreting the ridicule of supporters across the country with getting under the skin of Rodgers.
The Celtic boss has never mentioned the failed former Clyde supremo.
In his only reference to Ferguson’s ‘lucky’ column Rodgers remarked sarcastically after drawing 0-0 at Motherwell that he was pleased to have taken a point as the Fir Park side had been handed the advantage after Cedric Kipre had been red carded.
Whether Fergie likes it or not Rodgers is the highest rated native manager in the British Isles with a sought after opinion.
Smart upward coaches like Jack Ross and others acknowledge the Irishman’s ability and value any time in the company of the Celtic boss.
Despite his sterling work on Radio Scotland and the Daily Record Ferguson was knocked back in his application to be a number three to Pedro Caixinha.
