Tom has form for writing on demand for them- Shameless and crass English puts the boot in as he fears Rodgers Return

Apparently Brendan Rodgers has it all to prove at Celtic. According to Tom English, the chief fantasy writer at BBC Scotland, funded entirely by the remaining core of people buying the BBC licence. Shameless is one phrase that he uses to describe the newly installed Celtic boss.

With no worthwhile football contacts outside of Gorgie Road, English relies entirely on social media for his views on football which are marginally less accurate than his ability to report on his first love of egg chasing.

A certain message-board with media accreditation to Ibrox is the go-to source for English as he forms his views on the next mishap waiting for Celtic. 17 of the last 21 domestic trophies have been tied in green and white ribbons.

One of the great myths that old media is hanging onto is that there is a sizeable element of the Celtic support that is openly hostile to the appointment of Brendan Rodgers as Celtic boss. Deeply divided they call it.

There is certainly a number expressing themselves on social media but most fans are well on the road back from February 2019. That experience wasn’t pleasant but it was exasperated by Peter Lawwell’s decision to give the job to Neil Lennon in the Hampden showers, time has exposed the true villain of the 2018/19 season.

English’s interest in soccer rarely extends beyond a constant sneering commentary on all things Celtic, best illustrated with his crass tweets following the death of Shane Warne. He won’t miss half a chance to demonstrate his credentials to his BBC paymasters although in the case of the Australian cricketer he went too far, forced into a humiliating apology from his masters in England. Within BBC Scotland he is known affectionately as House Paddy.

Faced with an underwhelming list of candidates most Celtic fans are all-in for the return of Rodgers, it demonstrates that Dermot Desmond is calling the shots rather than delegating and that usually results in success and silverware.

Lazy as ever, English turns to extremists on social media to form his views, painting a picture of hostility awaiting Rodgers when reality is far different.

This time around the former Liverpool boss is inheriting a treble winning squad, young and in the early stages of their careers knowing that a second tilt at the Champions League gives them an opportunity to showcase themselves in the biggest market.

With a highly ambitious manager keen to pick up where he left off (seven out of seven, Tom, seven more than the impressive Mister Beale) with points to prove there is plenty for Celtic players and fans to look forward to.

Assessing what Celtic could achieve isn’t a pleasing prospect for a rugby writer, albeit the second best journalist in his family.

Analysing the detail behind replacing Morelos, Kent, Arfield, Tillman and a Hall of Fame goalkeeper with a clutch of free agents and a non-scoring striker doesn’t make for pleasant reading.

Across the city the guy that saw off Joey Barton, Nico Kranjcar, Filip Senderos, Mark Warburton, Bruno Alves, Carlos Pena, Alfredo Morelos, Borna Barisic, Ryan Kent, Pedro Caixinha, Connor Goldson is back for some more.

It’s a prospect to scare some at BBC Scotland off to concentrate on Glasgow Warriors and produce tedious podcasts with yesterday’s men while waiting on text messages from Tynecastle.

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