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Brendan Rodgers bails out AWOL Michael Nicholson

Brendan Rodgers 3 days ago
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Brendan Rodgers was forced into the spotlight to discuss not footballing issues with Michael Nicholson once again posted missing.

Multiple issues were thrown up around the Glasgow Derby on March 16, the events on the pitch are very much the responsibility of the Celtic manager but what goes on in the stands and touchline are nothing to do with the Rodgers.

Celtic’s slow start, dodgy passing, failed tactics and general nervousness all falls on the manager but if an opposition player chooses to spray Celtic fans with the content of a water bottle it is outwith the remit of the gaffer. Normally.

A day after the match Celtic issued a half-hearted and nameless holding statement, after Rodgers spoke today an expanded statement was issued saying just as little.

Today’s statement referred solely to events away from the stadium, an email address for a third party was provided as a measure of supporter engagement. A little more effort will be used on the upcoming Season Ticket Renewal campaign.

Last summer Celtic launched a Fan Survey, the closing date to complete it was July 26, the results have still to see the light of day.

Twelve days after Celtic fans were attacked by Vaclav Cerny and the contents of his water bottle there has been no comment or action from the football authorities or Police Scotland.

Other than among Celtic fans it is as if the incident never took place.

After celebrating the addition of 2,400 fans, that recently brought their club sanctions for their racist activities, Nicholson headed to New York for a Celtic charity event, perhaps he was doubling up with work to bring in the striker that Rodgers was promised in January when Kyogo Furuhashi was sold.

At 8 minutes the discussion turns to the Cerny incident.

Celtic issued a 416 word statement soon after Rodgers’ media conference which offered an email address to fans concerned by events outwith the stadium before the Derby match.

With a CEO, numerous heads of Departments and a Supporters Liaison Officer the events on  London Road on ahead of the fixture should be very well established. There has been plenty of time to look into it, the club SLO was on the scene, he hasn’t tweeted since the evening of the match/kettling.

Typical of the current leadership, the club ‘statement’ wasn’t shared on social media, even in their Ivory Tower they know how the reaction to the latest deflection exercise.

Peter Lawwell, Michael Nicholson, Celtic, Academy, Rodgers

After Barry Ferguson excused Cerny’s actions Rodgers was asked if he would have reacted differently if one of his players had acted that way.

Yes, I would. Where’s the respect in that? I think it’s a lack of respect if a player is running up a touchline and he squirts a waterbottle in supporters’ faces. 

I certainly wouldn’t want my players to do it. In the main, in the games I’ve been involved in, the players do behave in a certain manner.

It works both ways. There’s a lot that comes from the stands to coaches, managers and players. 

I think we all know there is a line that we shouldn’t cross.  It is a very emotive game and it is an amazing fixture. It was great to have the fans back in, I thought they added that bit extra as well. 

You can’t antagonise, though, as in this fixture in particular that can lead to issues.

With no comment or action taken after Alan Muir denied Celtic a goal away to Hibs last month for no reason it seems that Nicholson’s To Do list is ever growing.

At some stage he will have to look at the contract of the manager, or that issue may be as much of a priority as the findings of the 2024 Fan Survey.

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Danny McGrain, Kieran Tierney

With one tweet about Danny McGrain, Scott Bradley achieved more fame and attention than he has managed in a decade telling himself that he is a journalist.

The digital age has worked wonders with communications but in no universe, this one or any parallel one is there an argument, discussion or debate about the legendary Celtic defender and the Serial Loser that is James Tavernier.

McGrain is without doubt the greatest full-back, the greatest right-back that Scotland has ever produced.

From 1973 to 1977 when the Scotland national team were among the best in Europe only Berti Vogts could rival McGrain for the title of the best right-back in Europe.

Sadly a serious ankle injury cut McGrain down in his prime, he lost 18 months of his career, when he returned he was merely very good.

He went on to play in the 1982 World Cup Finals, he had starred in the 1974 Finals in Germany, he captained Celtic under Billy McNeill and Davie Hay, winning his final club honour in 1986 with an involvement in the Goal of the Century at Love Street.

In contrast Tav has been disappointed for the best part of 10 years, looking on helplessly as Celtic enjoyed the greatest period of domination that Scottish football has ever known.

Three domestic honours have been collected during that period, the same as a clutch of St Johnstone players while McGrain is revered and discussed among the absolute greatest.

Bradley is a self styled journalist, he’s had some articles published here and there and hosts the GersNet podcast.

After a decade on Twitter/X he has attracted 1,500 followers, almost as unsuccessful as Tavernier on the pitch.

The lows have been numerous for the former Wigan and MK Dons utility man, perhaps peaking in March 2019 when he penned a programme page explaining why him and his team-mates can’t handle expectations. Hamilton Accies won that match at Ibrox.

Tavernier, McGrain

With all respect to Jim Craig, McGrain is one of the very few post Lisbon players that wouldn’t have looked out of place playing alongside the Lions.

A member of the Quality Street Gang he had to wait until 1972 for his Celtic breakthrough, joining Kenny Dalglish, Lou Macari and Davie Hay as Jock Stein broke up Celtic’s greatest ever side.

In 1974 McGrain was in the Celtic side denied a place in the European Cup Final by the brutality of Athletico Madrid.

Season 76/77 was a vintage one for Celtic, captained by Dalglish, backed by McGrain a bright new side emerged featuring Ronnie Glavin and Joe Ctaig with one majestic season delivered by Pat Stanton.

There were further great days ahead for McGrain, he helped Charlie Nicholas and Paul McStay develop in the early eighties and was Hay’s skipper for the dramatic 1985 Scottish Cup Final and the Premier Division title the following year.

First and foremost McGrain could defend, he understood the game, was ferocious in the tackle at a time when the game was far more physical than the current edition.

On the overlap he was a pioneer. Think Jeremie Frimpong and Josip Juranovic and McGrain was the first of that type of full-back.

He did have a flaw, in front of goal he fell to pieces but that only to prove that he was human.

Anyone who watched Celtic in the seventies and eighties knew that they were watching a special talent, Bradley and his ilk have been dumbed down so much that they don’t even know that they are watching and celebrating dross.

From Michael Lustig to Alistair Johnston Celtic have had better right-backs than Tavernier, as back up to the Canadian Tony Ralston is superior to the Ibrox captain in every aspect of the game.

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