Brendan Rodgers says he is “really excited” about his future with Celtic as some high-profile columnists try to paint the Bhoys as a club in crisis.
Hugh Keevins devoted his Sunday Mail column to a doomsday Celtic scenario that theoretically sees the reigning champions have a nightmare December and Rodgers checking out an exit route from the Bhoys.
In fact, the veteran journalist said he would be “astonished” if the Celtic boss is still in charge of the club next season, declaring that he’d be sold a “dubious package” on returning to Scotland.
It’s an especially odd rant considering all Rodgers wants to do right now is talk about a future with the Bhoys.
Brendan Rodgers “loving” his return to Celtic
Asked at the weekend how he’s feeling five months into his new era at Celtic, he was clear, stating [Sunday Post, 12/11 print edition]: “Relaxed but focused. I am loving my time back on and off the pitch. Loving working with the players, a brilliant group who are committed. And I am really excited by the future and improvement.”
It’s not exactly the terminado-style quips that came to the fore as his eventual exit to Leicester City transpired, is it?
More than that, it’s easy to find Rodgers talking more in-depth about his various plans and projects at Celtic during his second spell.
He’s talking about youth players, the long-term development of summer signings and the plans that are being put in place for January and beyond.
On the winter window specifically, he’s eager to address the upcoming situation that will see some of Celtic’s Asian contingent head off to take part in the Asian Cup. And Rodgers doesn’t sound like a man planning for the short term.
He said: “A lot of thought has gone into this for us. The thing for us is it’s not a surprise, we knew it was there and we spoke about it in the summer leading into this window. We know what our ideas are for that. We have it in hand.
“The first look is never outside – it must be from within. You never know, you might have a £15 or £20 million player in your academy. There is talent here, but it is when it is going to be ready. I have to find that out. If you can’t train when there is no one there, how are you going to play when there are 60,000? That is what my experience tells me. But if there is a player here I am pretty sure I’ll see him. And, if the answer is not to be found inside, then of course we look outside at loans or permanent deals.”
Rodgers has spoken plainly about his desire for added ‘quality’ in his Celtic squad. He isn’t hiding that. But he’s also always been optimistic about the club addressing that over the coming windows.
He’ll get on with the job despite efforts to sow division and paint a narrative of the wheels falling off Celtic. Yes, it’s been difficult again in Europe. Yes, the summer window was sluggish. But it’s very brave to be writing off Rodgers given his track record. In the end, it may not have just been brave, but foolish.
In other news, Matt O’Riley’s ruthless on-pitch message to James Forrest as Celtic destroyed Aberdeen.
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