THERE is one thing that The Celtic support will agree with Rodgers on this morning, the neds who were filmed in that Edinburgh boozers the other night chanting about Rodgers being killed by an IRA bullet are well out of order.
Hell, even the guys who were in the IRA will have every reason to be angry about what they were chanting – it is a disgraceful song, whether sung with the former Rangers player Nacho Novo in the lyrics or amended for the new Leicester City boss – all it has done is bring worldwide shame on The Celtic support and Celtic FC.
Their song does NOT speak for the Celtic support. What does however is the Green Brigade banner, or at least it represents what is a majority opinion of the support – and we’ll do a Poll this morning to get some numbers on this.
We might also ask what you think of the idiots singing that song in the pub and also about Rodgers’ suggestion that he’d like to come back to Celtic to manage again in around ten years from now.
Rodgers was understandably shocked by the video and it should be remembered, as we stated yesterday, he stand his childhood living through The Troubles so understands the harsh reality of the conflict in Northern Ireland – most if not all of the neds in that pub were probably not even born when the Good Friday Agreement was signed.
“Bloody hell, I’m one of you,” Rodgers remarked, shaken by the content of the shocking video.
Many Celtic supporters of course will also be angry that this video is being discussed down at Leicester rather than the treacherous nature of his departure at the start of the week.
“I haven’t seen the video but I had heard there was something.
“I don’t want that to be my final feeling of being at Celtic — especially when it’s your own,” Rodgers said. The ex-Celtic manager also understands that this strictly business decision to walk away from Paradise on Monday this week has caused considerable upset in his own family, where there are bona fide Celtic supporters.
“I don’t want that to be the final measure of my work there. I gave much more than that.
“For my family, it’s probably hard.
“They are lifelong Celtic supporters and have been taken aback by the speed of everything too. It’s really difficult for them.”
Rodgers was asked about the ned-video apparently filmed in the Roseburn Bar in Edinburgh on Wednesday
in which the line ‘I hope you die in your sleep Brendan Rodgers…from a bullet from the IRA’ is clearly heard. It’s disgusting, disgraceful, shameful – Police Scotland are investigating and Celtic should be looking to find out if there are season ticket holders present and look to issue bans.
Also were these idiots going to the game on Wednesday night at Tynecastle? If so where did they get the tickets? There are enough good Celtic supporters who would have loved a ticket for Hearts away so why are these scum getting tickets?
“What the f*** are you doing?,” a shocked Rodgers said
“Bloody hell, I’m one of you. I made a career decision.
“It doesn’t make me any less of a Celt.”
On the banner displayed at the game, which read “You traded immortality for mediocrity. Never a Celt, always a fraud,” Rodgers revealed that he’s been shown it while attending a Leicester City youth match which was happening at the same time as The Celtic team he walked away from were playing at Tynecastle.
“I understand as a Celtic supporter — that’s the difference he told the Scottish media who made the journey to the East Midlands for his first press conference as the Leicester City manager. “Of course, it takes you aback a wee bit. The supporters are hurting and I understand that.
“It’s a shame, of course, because from the moment I walked into Celtic, I gave my life to the club.
“I am not going to criticise anyone. I had an amazing time at Celtic and the supporters are hurt and in shock.”
Rodgers points out that he has not left “a sinking ship” stating that Celtic are in a good place to enjoy continued success due to the work he has done.
“For someone who has given so many happy memories to a lot of people and has left the club in the position they are in with the stability, it is sad.
“I can only put it down to hurt.”
Not all Celtic fans see Rodgers as a ‘rat’ or a ‘snake’ and he revealed that he’s had more sympathetic messages from some supporters who perhaps understand his reasons for leaving. To be clear no-one would have grudged him going at the end of the season so the anger this week is purely down to the timing.
“I’ve had letters already. Messages from staunch Celtic supporters who travel from Northern Ireland and have been for years.
“Of course it’s hard for them. But time will be a healer,” Rodgers stated. Whether he believes it, is unclear.
Incidentally, this was the Hearts banner the other night…
