What the hell are you playing at Dermot?

“WHAT THE HELL IS HE PLAYING AT?” That was the question I was asked a short while ago by a young Celtic support who will be at Easter Road tomorrow and hasn’t missed a game since Brendan Rodgers became the Celtic boss. He missed one or two – that’s all – under Ronny Deila before you ask.

Who? I asked, slightly bewildered.

“Dermot Desmond,” he said. “he’s just said that he won’t stand in the way of Brendan Rodgers going to Arsenal.”

My immediate reaction was to think that we’ll be looking for a new manager.

Here’s what he saw…

Celtic’s biggest shareholder being asked about the vacancy at Arsenal that will arise at the end of the season as Arsene Wenger has announced that he is stepping down.

Of course the Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers will be linked to this job and also any other Premier League job that arises, for instance across London at Stamford Bridge.

Yet all Dermot Desmond had to say was “Brendan spoke only yesterday about how happy he is at Celtic, he loves his job and the club and hopefully he will be the Celtic manager for a long time to come.”

That’s accurate, refers to Brendan’s own efforts to squash any speculation about him leaving and would add to the feel good factor around the club and the support at the moment.

Instant he’s deflated the bubble just as we get ready for a 7 in a row party tomorrow.

Wenger announced this morning he will stand down from the Emirates at the end of the season, allowing him to leave with dignity after decades of service to the club. It’s probably safe to say he jumped before he was pushed.

This morning the odds on Rodgers getting the job was 10/1 with the Dortmund manager the favourite at 4/1.

Thar comment from Desmond changed all of that and Brendan is now the favourite to replace Wegner as Arsenal boss.

“I’m glad that he’s the favourite because he deserves to be the favourite. He’s an outstanding person and we wouldn’t like him to leave.

“But we can’t force anybody to stay and hopefully his love for the club, and the setup there, will induce him to stay at Celtic.”

Asked if Celtic would let Rodgers speak to Arsenal he replied: “Absolutely. I don’t think you can put handcuffs on anybody if they want to go to a club as good as Arsenal.

“But it’ll be Brendan’s decision and Brendan’s decision only.”

Then the Arsenal fan Charlie Nicholas had his say: “Sorry, Celtic fans, I have to say this, but the style of Brendan Rodgers in Scotland has been breathtakingly good. He probably should have won the league with Liverpool so he has the credentials for me.”

The Rangers support have been in disarray all week and the Celtic fans have been loving every minute of it. The prospect of Brendan Rodgers leaving Celtic for Arsenal will brighten their mood significantly.

And tomorrow the focus will not be on 7 in a row but on whether Brendan is or isn’t leaving. There was absolutely no need for Desmond to say what he did.

“what the hell is he playing at?” summed it up rather neatly.

About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor, who has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

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