Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton has had his say on the managerial strife at Celtic Park. Brendan Rodgers has reportedly left the Hoops to take over at Leicester City, with Neil Lennon replacing him on an interim basis.
Sutton claimed on his Twitter page that the timing of Rodgers’ reported exit was ‘surprising’ to him, with the Hoops still in a title race and in the Scottish Cup.
Unusual for manager to leave at this time
Sutton is correct to raise this point. It is unusual when a manager leaves a club whilst they are in the middle of a title race they are favourites to win.
Leicester did seem very eager to get Rodgers now though, rather than wait until the end of the season. The Guardian reported that the Filbert Street side wanted Rodgers at the first available opportunity. The chance to return to the Premier League must have swayed Rodgers.
Shock and Surprise
Most Celtic fans will be as shocked and surprised as Sutton is about the timing of the move. If Rodgers was going to leave at the end of the season, then fair enough. Some supporters probably even expected that. But for him to leave now puts a bad taste in the mouth.
Now it is up to Neil Lennon to try to guide Celtic to a third successive domestic treble, beginning against Hearts on Tuesday night.
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