The specific subject of the well-known Green Brigade banner about Brendan Rodgers didn’t come up in yesterday’s broadcast press conference, nor the subsequent fan media event. But it certainly did when the newspaper journalists got a chance to speak with the new Celtic boss.
Back in 2019 when Rodgers left mid-season for Leicester City, the Celtic fan group unveiled a banner which said: “You traded immortality for mediocrity. Never a Celt, always a fraud.”
It was a message that many fans supported at the time and that some do even to this day. Minutes after his official announcement as Ange Postecoglou’s successor, the North Curve Twitter account – associated with The Green Brigade – published a photo of that very same banner, making their feelings clear on his return.
That tweet prompted a bit of a reaction in and of itself. Plenty disagreed with the timing and message that it sent, not least some high-profile pundits, but regardless of your personal view it’s an opinion they are entitled to air.
Brendan Rodgers responds to Green Brigade banner
Asked about his feelings on the banner’s unveiling itself four years ago, Rodgers was philosophical, stating [Scottish Daily Mail]: “It’s only human isn’t it? You give everything, your life, to the club. But that was the decision I made and you have to accept that and get on with it.”
Then, the new Celtic boss was asked about this week’s Tweet and whether or not he was aware of it. Of course, he was. He will have been well briefed by the club’s PR team.
Rodgers said of the post: “I was aware of that. For me, I love the club and the supporters and you will have critics. With the greatest respect, I don’t think winning a club the FA Cup for the first time in their history was mediocre, or taking them into Europe when they’d never been and having three of the best four finishes in the league. I don’t think it’s mediocre but everyone is entitled to their opinion.”
The manager walks a tightrope with his answers. This is entirely the right thing to do – balance is the name of the game here. He can’t gloss over his own decisions and what they meant. That would be transparent and inauthentic. Likewise, he is entitled to defend himself. Equally, he has ensured that he hasn’t criticised the Green Brigade or any supporters for their views, which is important.
For me, what’s important now is everyone draws a line under the past and moves on with the business of Celtic success in the future. The Green Brigade, and other fans, have made their point. Rodgers has made his. There’s no need for any lingering protest at the decision to bring him back. In fairness, there is no sign of one.
Nobody has to adore Rodgers. Everyone is entitled to their personal opinion of him as a person or a Celtic manager. But he’s in the job now and he wants to find success here and he wants to please supporters. He should be backed to secure that aim.
In other news, Football scout provides insight as Celtic agree transfer fee for ‘genuine technician’.
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