Dermot Desmond sent a Celtic plea about Brendan Rodgers, with Ange Postecoglou comparison

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It’s normal service for Brendan Rodgers at Celtic.

When Rodgers replaced Ange Postecoglou in the Celtic dugout in 2023, it left many surprised because it was the unexpected return of the Irishman.

That call to leave for Leicester City in 2019 left a bitter taste in many people’s mouths, but fast forward to the present, and many have forgotten about it.

The simple reason is that Celtic are pushing for the Treble, including a 55th Premiership title, and are once again dominating under the man who brought so much success in his first spell.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	CelticCeltic	31	25	3	3	92	20	72	78
2	RangersRangers	31	20	5	6	66	31	35	65
3	HibernianHibernian	31	12	11	8	48	41	7	47
4	AberdeenAberdeen	31	13	7	11	42	47	-5	46

One thing is for sure, Rodgers isn’t going to leave in the manner in which he did last time out, but that doesn’t mean he won’t be out the door sooner rather than later.

Many are already looking forward to next season, including how Celtic continue to progress in the Champions League, but could it be Rodgers’ final campaign in Glasgow?

As of this moment, the 52-year-old’s contract expires during the summer of 2026, and John Hartson had a pretty clear message to Celtic’s majority shareholder, Dermot Desmond.

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Dermot Desmond told to secure a new Celtic contract for Brendan Rodgers

The thing is, Rodgers could win title number 56 next season, as well as add to the 119 trophies already in the cabinet, and he leaves the club as high as they have ever been.

From his own selfish perspective, there would be no better way to go out, but Hartson wants Rodgers signed up and told Desmond that it’s a ‘no-brainer’ to do so.

Hartson explained how the Celtic manager is a ‘global magnificent coach’ and his long-term future needs to be secured.

“He (Dermot Desmond) is the one, they tried to force Ange to stay, and they had a lot of meetings,” said Hartson. “The chairman and chief executive. They can all put their weight into it.

“But Dermot Desmond’s the main man. He is the one who writes out the checks. He is the one who says, ‘this is either happening or it’s not happening’, with, of course, advice from the chairman and everything else. He will ask them what they think.

“For me, this is a no-brainer. They have to try and get Brendan Rodgers. He has won. He is a magnificent global coach. He won the FA Cup down at Leicester. Okay, he was relegated. He knows the club inside and out. He is respected by the supporters. The respect of the players. Look at what he has done.”

Rodgers has taken Celtic to ‘another level’ compared to Ange Postecoglou

Ange Postecoglou is loved by the Celtic fans, and many are rooting for his luck to change as he comes under fire at Tottenham.

But, when Postecoglou took charge of Celtic, it was post the mess of the Neil Lennon season, and there was a lot of repair work to do.

Despite Postecoglou’s enormous success, high-quality style of play and Treble-winning campaign, Hartson still feels that it’s Rodgers who has taken the club to ‘another level’, in comparison.

“Okay, when he left, Ange Postecoglou came in (after Lennon) and continued with the momentum,” added Hartson.

“A brilliant manager, and they brought in good players, but I think Brendan has taken it to another level.

“I think Celtic have to pull out all the stops to try and maintain Rodgers as the Celtic manager. I would have to go down that route for me.”