TOM ROGIC is an unlikely entrant into the ongoing argument between those on the Celtic manager’s side of the debate and the supporters who support the board.
One of these guys said last night that he’d sack Brendan Rodgers if he was in Peter’s shoes. Another this morning called for Rodgers to keep quiet. Most supporters we suspect are full square behind the manager and the away support will no doubt voice their appreciation for the manager and the job he has done over the past few years at Tynecastle lunchtime tomorrow.
Brendan may have been outspoken this week but these are no heat of the moment outbursts. Everything Brendan says publicly is said for a reason and if he decided to go public on his own unhappiness at the current transfer situation then the club has a problem. That seems like stating the obvious – this is a manger who has won 6 trophies from 6 and has qualified for the Champions League twice, with hopefully a third to follow.
The biggest threat to Celtic winning 10 in a Row is, many supporters believe, losing our manager. If that happened because Real Madrid or Manchester United wanted him that would be frustrating. However to shoot ourselves in the foot by discouraging him over what he believes is a lack of ambition – that is verging on the unforgivable.
The season started with us getting told that Everton were going to bid £25million for Kieran Tierney and the wages he’d get there would be life changing. Staying at Celtic until 10 in a row is secured then moving in his mid twenties to one of the biggest clubs in the World would obviously not come up to scratch then.
This is what was being fed to the Celtic support in early July.
One of the many things Brendan said this week was “being comfortable is the enemy of progress”.
Rogic though reckons that will never be allowed to happen among the playing squad with Rodgers in charge.
“That’s how the manager works. He’s challenging the players every day to become better, he certainly doesn’t let anyone rest on what they may have achieved last season or the years before that.
“He’s intense to work under, he’s always challenging the players to become better and better and I think that’s a major part of our success over the past couple of years,” Rogic said.
Probably to the surprise of many, Rogic decided to sign a five year contract at Celtic in May, mostly because of his relationship with Rodgers. Today he was asked for his view on what Brendan was saying yesterday about his job been done if the club wasn’t going to push forward.
“From the players point of view it is just to focus on playing,” Rogic replied.
“Outside of that it’s not really for me to have an opinion. I’m happy with how things are, I’m happy with the manager day to day, we have a great squad and it’s exciting for the start of the season.”
Anyway, tomorrow there will be a huge watching audience on TV. The away support has a wonderful opportunity to sign Brendan’s praises and leave no-one in any doubt that we appreciated what he has done for Celtic and that we want him to be here for 10 in a row.
