Brendan Rodgers has moved swiftly to kill off any speculation that he is considering leaving Celtic during the close season.
In June 2023 the Irishman returned to the hoops, signing a three year contract having previously arrived on a 12 month rolling contract, signing a four year deal then leaving in February 2019 for Leicester City.
On Friday Rodgers spoke extensively about current issues including the dip in performances and the need to change the squad, to freshen up and improve going into next season.
We always want to improve the team, improve the hunger in the team. That’s always key, you need the freshness. It’s either that or the manager goes, it’s simple, there’s no rocket science in it. You cannot be at a club for a long period of time with the same group of players.
Those comments jumped out from Friday’s media conference, it wasn’t spin or the media jumping on selected comments and taking them ou of context. When he uttered the words ‘or the manager goes’ it would be negligent to overlook that comment.
Like it or not, regardless of who was at fault there will always be an element of concern among Celtic fans about the future of Rodgers who could finish this season having won 12 out of the 13 trophies available to him in Scottish football.
With Peter Lawwell as club Chairman and the same board that was in place during the 2018/18 season there are clear grounds for concern.
Prior to Rodgers arriving as manager in May 2016 Celtic had won the treble three times, by the end of May they could have nine to their name.
While domestic success is welcome and highly enjoyable the bigger picture is Europe, an arena that Celtic finally made progress in this season.
Building on this season’s Champions League campaign rather than taking a step back is the goal that drives Rodgers on, with 14 months on his contract he won’t be getting distracted or scaling down his ambitions.
Before the match against Kilmarnock Rodgers told BBC Scotland that there was a 150% chance of him being at Celtic next season.
After the 5-1 win he went further with The Sun reporting Rodgers saying:
For any avoidance of doubt, because I was surprised when I got asked the question, I think if you were sat in my press conference here on the very first day I arrived, I promised unless I was removed I’d be here for three years minimum.
So nothing changes. There’s absolutely no doubt, unless Dermot tells me differently in the summer, I will be excited and ready for the beginning of the season.
Asked if a contract extension had already been discussed, Rodgers added:
No, it’s not something that the club or I need to worry about now. This is about getting the job done and we’ll see where we are at over the season but the club know, as I said, my position.
I was always going to be here for the three years, but I’m sure we’ll have a chat of some sort over the course of the summer but for now, it’s focusing on getting the job done.
Celtic could be champions tomorrow but whatever happens at Pittodrie on Monday attention will switch to the Scottish Cup and a rematch with St Johnstone as Rodgers goes all out to maintain his 100% record at Hampden Park.
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