Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has firmly refuted the suggestion from former striker Chris Sutton that he is “going through the motions” at the Bhoys this season.
Sutton has been far from impressed with the job that the Celtic boss has done since his return to the club in the summer and suggested all is not right with Rodgers’ approach to the season, dishing out a damning verdict in the wake of recent defeats to Kilmarnock and Hearts.
Criticism of the team and the manager in the wake of such results is warranted but Rodgers has insisted he is giving his all to Celtic at the moment and that he never takes on a job without throwing himself into it.
Brendan Rodgers on Chris Sutton comments
Speaking over the weekend, the Celtic boss responded to Sutton’s comments, stating [Daily Record, 23/12 print edition]: “In my career, I wouldn’t be sat here if I went through the motions in anything. I had no big playing career, no big history in the game. I had to fight for everything I got in the game.
“That will always be the case. I’ve never been granted any privileges in my life as a young coach and as a manager. So, no, I’ve certainly not gone through the motions, that’s for sure.
“I don’t listen to it. I assume there was criticism because we lost but I couldn’t tell you where it’s come from or who it’s been given from. That’s part of the role of a manager. You learn to regulate that. I’m also one who, with experience, never gets too emotional with words.
“I assess things logically and the reality was that we weren’t good enough. For whatever reason. Second half against Kilmarnock, against Hearts – we weren’t good enough. There are lessons there for us as a team. That’s part of the challenge.”
It’s not the first time this season that Rodgers has had to justify his commitment to Celtic. Despite constantly talking about the future and his plans to bring success to the club, there is still a fair amount of people who don’t think he’s “all in” on the project.
Rodgers hasn’t gotten everything right at the Bhoys this season. And yes, ultimately responsibility for poor results falls to him.
However, I’ve personally never felt like he’s a man who wants to be somewhere else. He made a big decision returning to Celtic and I’m not sure it’s fair to constantly suggest he is looking for the exit door.
Criticise his tactics, team selections and recruitment if you see issues – all of that is valid – but he at least deserves to be taken seriously. He’s here and there is little doubt he’ll be desperate to deliver a winning Celtic team – which is what we all want.
In other news, Kyogo’s Celtic Park celebration told a story as Brendan Rodgers notes how he’s feeling right now.
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