Soccer Football - Champions League - Celtic vs Paris St Germain - Celtic Park, Glasgow, Britain - September 12, 2017 Former Celtic footballers John Hartson, Chris Sutton and Henrik Larsson before the match Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith
Chris Sutton has picked up on the comments of Brendan Rodgers adding to the criticism of the Celtic board.
Rodgers was measured and diplomatic with his comments during a media conference that lasted more than 20 minutes- Sutton cut to the chase while Michael Nicholson avoids any scrutiny after 47 months in the job with just one public interview.
Ironically his only media appearance as CEO was when Rodgers returned to Celtic as manager in June 2023, after Friday’s media conference it seems that Nicholson will have to get ready for a repeat next summer as he introduces a more compliant manager.
Rodgers sent out some questions from the media conference, in the Daily Record Sutton offered his own conclusions:
The manager’s comments have got stronger and stronger as the weeks have gone on. But yesterday he really spelled it out in no uncertain terms.
We can talk about fans’ frustration but Rodgers feels the same way too – it looks like his patience his starting to wear a little thin at yet another window that hasn’t gone to plan.
There’s no need to try to work out any hidden messages any more. This was a clear warning – back me properly or I’m off at the end of the season.
You can’t blame him. He’s the one who will carry the can if things go wrong in Europe or at home.
And while the contract situation is the elephant in the room, it could be clearer in the next few weeks.
If Rodgers doesn’t get the backing he wants and needs, it WILL look like the club is treading water rather than matching his ambition.
He’s cranking up the pressure on the board and it’s now over to them to deliver.
It is unlikely that there will be a response from the Celtic board, when questions are asked they almost always take a vow of silence.
Rodgers will have as many as a dozen media conferences before the transfer window closes, unless there are meaningful signings the pressure is going to crank up further on the Celtic decision makers, from Rodgers, Sutton and the growing number of disgruntled supporters.
Are you happy with Celtic's transfer activity
Absolutely- fantastic business
I will judge on September 1
Horrific- feels like 2023 again
What a dysfunctional board .
The silence is absolutely deafening .
Fans deserve better.
Let’s all remember at this moment in time Brendan doesn’t have a contract to sign.
BR questions and puts pressure on PL’s authority and judgement.
Narcissists hate that.
Therein lies the problem.
Delighted that he done it though Bhoy4life !
The board are happy to back-pedal until RFC catch up with us and the OF rivalary can be rekindled.
That’s more important to them than being competitive in the CL… or it seems even qualifying for the CL.
It’s more important to them than keeping BR.
There is not a single Celtic fan who has the same point of view.
It would be sad to see a protest on Flag Day but something needs to be done before it’s too late.
It’s the Celtic fans who have been asleep at the wheel. Blindly buying season tickets year on year. We should be doing what Lawwell does. Wait until we’re turfed out of Europe then start spending.
Let’s just say. Lawwell has been a boil on our arse for two fucking decades.
Imagine being Chairman of the Board whilst knowing that most of the support despise you and think that you’re a mendacious acquisitive arrogant TWAT.
We seek him here, we seek him there, we seek him bloody everywhere, that damned elusive Lawwell’s Nicholson.