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‘Pathetic journalism’ ‘as bad an interview as I’ve heard!’ ‘stupid question’ Rodgers refuses to play ball with BBC reporter

The last place that Alasdair Lamon wants to spend his Friday night is at Celtic Park, especially in the company of Brendan Rodgers. He’s not very keen in spending any time at that venue but Friday nights are best spent alone in his West End flat listening to some soulful music that he really gets, for company he will share his deep and meaningful tunes on Twitter, rarely does he get any interaction.

Last night he was on duty at Celtic Park interviewing both managers pre and post match, it was the short straw in the office at BBC Scotland Sport.

The only consolation for hipster Al was that he had the chance to rile Brendan Rodgers, a free hit since he is never going to be contacted by the Irishman with a news story.

Lamont has spent his entire career at BBC Scotland for two main reasons- he detests Celtic and wouldn’t last five minutes with the demands of the commercial sector, the same could be said for Kenny Macintyre with BBC Scotland offering a protective shield for others that can’t cut it commercially. Hi, Tom.

Repeatedly Rodgers has stated his thoughts on the transfer window. Celtic need players in the forward areas, the manager hopes to have them delivered before the end of the transfer window.

Rodgers covered that ground politely in his pre-match interview with Lamont for BBC Scotland who were providing radio coverage.

He then took charge of a convincing performance, despite making six changes Celtic were in complete control of Falkirk, winning 4-1 to give Rodgers five clear days to prepare for Kairat Armaty.

That match gives Celtic the chance to reach the Champions League, the highlight of the season but Lamont knew that there was one topic to chase Rodgers on that could cut the interview short.

BBC Scotland reported the interview as:

How did the exchange unfold?

BBC Scotland’s Alasdair Lamont had interviewed Rodgers pre-match and reconvened with him afterwards.

Once the discussion about the victory was done, talk turned to transfers and, in particular, whether any signings might arrive in time for Wednesday’s crucial visit of Kairat Almaty.

(Lamont) You’ve had to name a squad for the Champions League deadline, but you are allowed to name a further two players before the game. Do you see any likelihood of there being players to add to that squad?

Rodgers: “I don’t know. I’ve just come out here after the game, so we’ll wait and see. We’ve named the squad and we’ll wait and see what happens before the game. If not, that’s the squad we’re going with.”

(Lamont) Can you be optimistic about it? There must be things in the pipeline that I guess you think could go one way or another.

Rodgers: “Okay, so let me repeat what I said. I’ve just finished the game. I haven’t told you anything before the game and during the 90-odd minutes of the game. I don’t know anything. I don’t know anything. So there might be or there might not be. So we have the team that we have.”

Okay. Cheers Brendan.

Others would have got a ‘Good luck on Wednesday’ from a BBC Scotland reporter but not Scotland’s most successful manager this century.

BBC Scotland

Lamont has plenty of history with Celtic and especially managers. His BBC buddy Macintyre at least makes an attempt at faking interest and enthusiasm, Lamont’s attitude reflects his own preferences which are reflected in his contact book which focuses on Billy Dodds, Andy Halliday, Neil McCann, Steven Naismith, Steven Thompson, Kenny Miller and Alex Rae.

In October 2021 after Celtic dominated Ferencvaros to win 2-0 at home his first question to Ange Postecoglou was if he felt that it was a fully deserved three points- from a match Celtic completely dominated.

Earlier this year in Munich Lamont sounded especially distressed that Bayern were drawing 0-0 at half time with Celtic, it has been claimed that he got his Twitter account and WhatsApp chats mixed up.

Today he should be back on firmer ground covering Alloa’s trip to Ibrox with soft-ball questions to Russell Martin about how his exciting young team is gelling and starting to look the part.

There is one nightmare looming on the horizon and that is who is sent on the BBC Scotland trip to the return leg of Kairat Almaty v Celtic which is likely to involve at least two flights each way, possibly three.

Spending the best part of two days within a week flying close to China has very limited appeal for Lamont and the rest of the BBC Scotland staff, especially since it will also result in missing out on the jolly to Brugge and a few great nights of team bonding with traditional singing late into the night. Macintyre is almost certain to be leading that trip.

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