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Date: 19th September 2025
Loose Talk
By Donald C Stewart
It was during the Second World War that you heard the phrase, “Loose Lips Sunk Ships.” I may not be old enough to remember that, but I do know that in any phoney war, talk is pretty cheap.
Loyal fan bases all the time have to deal with messages that come out from boards and organisations which seem to have forked tongue in how they communicate.
Over the last month, we have had some insider within Parkhead suggesting that their current manager, Brendan Rodgers, is trying to engineer his way out of his contract and leave the club. As if to compound that level of incompetence, the Board sent out a letter which was to allay fears – it seems to have heightened them. But for supporters, the issue is either very real or it is a phoney battle which shall eventually lead to … not very much happening. Much like they claim happened in the summer transfer window.
Rodgers, when he first arrived in his first stint, was a manager that was all sparkly, having been the former Liverpool Manager and thrust the Parkhead club into new heights of dominance within Scottish football. It was clear to see why, when Ange Postecoglou left, that they turned to Rodgers to return to Parkhead for stint two.
Rodgers agreed to return for at least three years. Now I have never met Rodgers, and have no idea how much is true, and how much is nonsense, but, prior to leaving the first-time round, there were lots of rumours over potential interest in China before he eventually departed for Leicester City.
The appointment after Rodgers left of Neil Lennon, in his second stint, settled things down. When Ange Postecoglou arrived, it was more left field thinking. It lit the heather alight.
Any manager returning to a club after having been away for a period of time, no matter how successful their initial period or indeed how successful they’ve been since they left, is always a bit of a challenge for club fans.
They struggle to comprehend why the man left in the first place. Often cries of Judas are tucked away in long forgotten and deleted Twitter feeds. Supporters will attempt to forget the bile they spewed when he left, and start to welcome him in with open arms, declaring, och awa in, son, we always thought you were the best anyway.
There is a line of thought out there that Rodgers struggles with loyalty.
But anybody within any organisation who feels that something wrong ought to speak out. They are protected by the law – but is this illegality or immorality or simply title tattle? Whoever this person may be, they are not protected from vilification from fellow colleagues who feel that that disloyalty should not be rewarded or listened to. It is a bold person who whistle blows because often their advancement is halted, their reputation tainted and despite the fact they may have blown apart some form of illegal operation they will never be looked at the same again. People whisper behind their back and suggest perhaps that you have to be careful what you say in front of them.
Of course, on this occasion it’s not what was said in front of anybody that is important but what has been said behind the scenes – behind Rodger’s back.
His less than convincing no when asked as to whether or not he could identify who it was who had briefed against him, was fascinating not least because I am quite sure that he probably has a list of suspects rather than only one in consideration.
No matter who it was or no matter what they said or indeed no matter the effect of it all it’ll be interesting to see if anybody leaves Parkhead over the next few weeks. Then the finger of suspicion will be pointed directly at them as they attempt to find a new job somewhere else out of the mire of their version of Paradise.
As for fans they are left scratching their head having seen a less than sparkling summer transfer window, that bizarre letter sent out from the board and a less than convincing run in their league and European campaigns.
It could be argued that this has been one of the least inspiring starts that a Celtic team has had for some considerable time. Brendan Rodgers is clearly trying not to take all the blame upon his own shoulders and trying to communicate that directly to the fans with indirect hints, nods and winks that even a visually impaired bat would be able to pick up.
Fans however need better communication and rather than write another letter perhaps the board would be better coming out and suggesting they have full faith in their manager.
Mind you then again, isn’t that the precursor to the sack? Perhaps the next letter from the Celtic Board shall begin, Dear Brendan…
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Tags: Celtic, oor Donald, Scottish fans, Scottish footbal