Celtic keep the door closed on BBC Scotland for Brendan Rodgers media conference

The broadcast media was invited in to interview Brendan Rodgers at Lennoxtown today, BBC Scotland were absent.

Sky Sports, Radio Clyde, STV and others including fan media outlets were all present to get the thoughts of the Celtic manager ahead of his competitive return to the club.

His hopes and feelings for the new season were covered as well as injury news and a vague look at the prospect of bringing in further players in the remaining four weeks of the transfer window.

When Rodgers was introduced as the new manager it was notable that BBC Scotland weren’t present, neither was PLZ which is run by Peter Martin. Sky Sports led the questioning, it was broadcast live on Celtic’s You Tube channel with the state broadcaster providing updates on their Twitter account which had announced that BBC Scotland wasn’t on the invite list.

No specific reason was given for not inviting BBC Scotland but most outsiders assumed that it was a reaction to the sneering contempt of Tom English about the appointment of the former Leicester City boss.

English went even further during a podcast for an Irish commercial outlet, slating Rodgers as a person and manager as he tries to find a return route to Ireland with his reputation in Scotland at rock bottom.

‘Whether it’s a return of the prodigal son or the reappointment of the shameless one, Brendan Rodgers is back.

‘But while Celtic fans knock great fun out of mocking their city rivals, Rangers are stronger now than they ever were during Rodgers’ first stint’ writes @tenglishsport

— BBC Sport Scotland (@BBCSportScot) June 19, 2023

SPFL regulations require clubs to provide pre and post match media conferences with the club manager and a player.

That aspect was covered today but things will get interesting on Saturday where BBC Scotland have television and radio contracts that entitle them to pre and post match interviews.

English will almost certainly be sharing his expert opinions on another match later on Saturday but Celtic are obliged to provide Sportsound and Sportscene with exclusive interviews.

If they are denied those interviews the issue escalates but the club from Ibrox and the BBC had a seven year stand off without any intervention from Neil Doncaster and the SPFL.

Today’s BBC Scotland#s webpages have no mention of Rodgers or coverage of today’s conferences from Celtic where Callum McGregor was also speaking.

Brendan Rodgers insists his side’s approach to the Premiership season is not to defend last year’s title, it’s to go out and win it again. https://t.co/Q6VhGKMZCe pic.twitter.com/GP80knSxSy

— STV Sport (@STVSport) August 3, 2023

🔊 LISTEN: “I sit here with the knowledge of doing it twice – the idea is to win three trophies.”

🍀 Brendan Rodgers says his side are ready for the new season ahead of their league opener with Ross County. ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/rfrkBJDKqi

— Clyde 1 Superscoreboard (@ClydeSSB) August 3, 2023

There wasn’t any blockbuster news stories emerging but that is partly down to the quality of the questioning and the format of two questions each which stifles genuine dialogue and a more flowing style of conversation.

Sky Sports had additional access around Lennoxtown today which comes with their package as the exclusive live broadcaster to the SPFL Premiership.

Radio Clyde, STV and other outlets gave coverage to today’s conferences but the big moment will come on Saturday for the visit of Ross County where BBC Scotland have live radio coverage.

Steven Thompson will be back on Saturday full of enthusiasm for the new season with Kenny Miller, Neil McCann, Richard Foster, Alex Rae, Leeann Crichton, James McFadden and Rory Loy among the panel of pundits.

🗣️’I don’t think you’ll necessarily see the best of this Rangers team early on with all the new signings’

David Currie and Al Lamont are joined by Joshua Barrie of the Rangers Review to preview the upcoming season.

Listen @BBCSounds 📻⤵️#BBCFootball

— BBC Sport Scotland (@BBCSportScot) August 3, 2023

Tom English stating Brendan Rodgers is livid because Ange Postecoglou got the Spurs job and Rodgers didn’t.@TEnglishSport https://t.co/EpzvQVExaw pic.twitter.com/k4iWMvK3bo

— Lint (@Zeshankenzo) June 24, 2023