John Hartson slams ‘touchy’ Brendan Rodgers, as he reacts to possible ‘massive’ Celtic transfer deal

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Celtic could open up a 16-point lead at the top of the Premiership table on Wednesday night.

Brendan Rodgers’ second spell at Celtic is going rather well because he has three trophies to his name already and, at a minimum, is expected to add a fourth by the time the final ball is kicked this season.

But after Celtic’s win over St Mirren on Sunday, he decided to go down an interesting route when he was critical of the fans and their actions.

Whether Kieran Tierney returns to his boyhood club or not, one thing is for sure, he will forever be a popular man with the supporters.

Therefore, when there is talk of Tierney playing for Celtic again, as his Arsenal contract expires this summer and the London club look to move him on, then you can understand the excitement from those who pay their tickets.

That’s why fans were chanting Tierney’s name against St Mirren, but it seems as though Rodgers has viewed it a different way and a disrespect towards Greg Taylor, with John Hartson being pretty vocal on the whole matter.

John Hartson backs possible ‘massive deal’ for Celtic to get Kieran Tierney

At the age of 27, the best years are still ahead of him and, as Hartson mentioned, it’s a ‘massive deal’ for the club to make, as he told Go Radio.

There is a myth about Tierney’s fitness and how he isn’t available as much because of his injury issues because he plays a lot more than critics think.

Hartson thinks he could easily secure a more lucrative deal to clubs like Liverpool and Newcastle United, as Celtic fans wait to see what happens next.

“That has got out, hasn’t it,” said Hartson about the Tierney rumours. “I know there is nothing official from the Celtic yet.

“You go on Sky Sports News and it’s all about, if you want to read all the proposed supposed things that are going on. Things are being said. Celtic are in talks with Kieran Tierney. We don’t know that.

“I think it’s a massive, massive deal for Celtic to make, considering Kieran Tierney’s a free transfer and he can go get £300k-a-week at Newcastle, Liverpool or whatever, so financially and the terms, would all have to come together. I think it’s a huge deal for Celtic to put together.”

Hartson labels Brendan Rodgers ‘touchy’ over Tierney comments

When it comes to the style of play and asking fans to understand/be patient when the team is playing out from the back, you can understand where Rodgers is coming from on that point.

But Celtic fans chanting for Tierney – and being critical of that – is odd because it was all done in good faith.

Either way, Hartson was pretty blunt about it all and thinks the Celtic boss is being ‘touchy’ and stated that he didn’t need to use the word ‘respect’.

“But I also don’t think Brendan Rodgers shouldn’t have used the word ‘respect’,” added Hartson.

“I think he could have held back. I think Brendan Rodgers has got much respect. One because he is back at the football club. Let’s not go back when he left. Brendan is right, let’s look forward and be together.

“But I think he has got respect. I think he is being a bit touchy there when he talks about respect. He is almost saying, ‘well, you have got to give me a bit more respect’. I think he has got the respect. Nobody is immune to criticism.”