It’s boiling in Glasgow. The Rangers fired coach Russel Martin at the beginning of October, hired a German rookie and were outplayed by Brann. A few weeks later, Celtic coach Brendan Rodgers resigns. The two clubs have a tradition of fighting for titles in Scotland, this season Hearts have been reeling from after just nine games in the league. Now the Celtic owner is sending out a lengthy thesis on how wrong Brendan Rodgers is in his criticism of the club management.
The club’s owner, Dermot Desmond, has issued an official statement on Monday evening, in which he responds to a number of Rodgers’ accusations. An answer that highlights what is supposed to be outright lies on the part of the ex-coach.
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“I would like to recognise Brendan’s contribution during his two spells as manager, and help deliver the success that is part of the club’s modern history. However, I must also express my deep disappointment with the way the last few months have unfolded.”
“When we brought Brendan back to Celtic two years ago, it was with complete confidence and belief in his ability to lead the club into a new era of sustained success. Unfortunately, his behavior and communication in recent months have not reflected this trust.”
“In subsequent press conferences, Brendan suggested that the club had not committed to offering him a contract. This was simply untrue,” Desmond said in the sensational statement.
“We met regularly with Brendan, including last December and early summer, with regular dialogue in between, to discuss and agree on our shared strategy, priorities and approach. Every player who signed and every player who sold during his time there was with Brendan’s full knowledge, approval and support. Any suggestion to the contrary is completely wrong.”
“His subsequent public statements about transfers and the running of the club came completely out of the blue. At no time prior to these comments had he raised such concerns with me, Michael, or any member of the board or management.”
“In reality, he was given the final say in all matters of football and was consistently supported in the recruitment process – including record-breaking investments in players he personally identified and approved.”
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“When his comments were made public, I tried to address them directly. Brendan and I met for over three hours at his home in Scotland to discuss the matter. Despite ample opportunity, he was unable to identify a single instance where the club had prevented or failed to support him. The facts did not correspond to his public narrative.”
“Unfortunately, his words and actions since then have been divisive, misleading, and selfish. They have contributed to a toxic atmosphere around the club and engaged in hostility towards members of the board and board. Some of the abuse directed at them and their families has been completely unjustified and unacceptable,” says Dermot Desmond.
It will continue to boil in Glasgow.
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