Neil Warnock lays into Dermot Desmond attack on Brendan Rodgers as Celtic recruitment was a ‘disgrace’

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Celtic’s defeat to Hearts on Sunday was a damaging result.

But few saw it leading to Brendan Rodgers and Dermot Desmond, the club’s two most important figures, having an almighty public fall-out.

Rodgers’ resignation came as a huge surprise on Monday, as did the news that Martin O’Neill and Shaun Maloney would be his interim replacements.

But when Desmond launched a brutal attack on Rodgers in a bombshell statement less than an hour after his resignation was announced, heads were turned throughout the world of football.

A man who knows a thing or two about falling out with owners is Neil Warnock, who has been discussing Rodgers’ departure on Wednesday.

Neil Warnock on Dermot Desmond Celtic statement aimed at Brendan Rodgers

Desmond slated Rodgers’ actions over recent months, describing them as ‘self-serving’ and ‘divisive’.

He also indicated that his ‘public narrative’ has directly led to some of the personal abuse aimed from fans towards Michael Nicholson and Peter Lawwell.

READ MORE: Sensational Kevin Muscat to Celtic information revealed by old neighbour John Higgins

Rodgers is reportedly preparing a response as he looks to defend himself after being hammered in the public domain.

Speaking on TalkSPORT, Warnock set the record straight on the statement, saying that Rodgers was right to be unhappy with the recruitment situation.

He said: “I think it was just sour grapes, if I’m honest. I think Brendan’s been a little bit disillusioned for a while now.

“He’s done absolutely fantastic there. And the recruitment in Scotland this year has been a disgrace. Rangers’ recruitment? Some of those players wouldn’t get in my Torquay side.

“And Brendan knows that they’ve been very similar. It wouldn’t have stood out so much if Hearts hadn’t come along.

“But the way that the recruitment’s been in the summer. You talk about Danny Rohl going in at Rangers. I look at Scotland, having been up there. Those two clubs need someone who knows what they’re doing.”

‘Sour Grapes’ is putting it mildly – Desmond came across as more confrontational than sour in the statement.

Who will replace Brendan Rodgers at Celtic?

67 Hail Hail has learned that Kieran McKenna is a realistic candidate to replace Rodgers, but the Ipswich board will fight to keep him.

Ange Postecoglou has been spoken about, understandably just weeks after his sacking from Nottingham Forest. But his appetite for a return is unclear.

Robbie Keane has emerged more recently as an option, causing a fairly negative reaction among Celtic supporters. Keane is currently the manager of Ferencvaros in Budapest.

Craig Bellamy, Kjetil Knutsen and Wilfried Nancy are among the other names to have been mentioned, but Bellamy has not applied for the Celtic role.