‘I'm sorry' – Brendan Rodgers reveals exactly why he didn't wear Celtic tie against Aberdeen amid fan conspiracy theory

Scottish Sun

3 days ago

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THE sight of Brendan Rodgers not wearing a tie in the dugout at Pittodrie was enough to send some Celtic fans into a frenzy.
A frenzy, that is, leading to the conclusion that the lack of tie was Rodgers sending some kind of coded MESSAGE to club chiefs.
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Brendan Rodgers stepped off the bus at Pittodrie without a tie
Credit: PA
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The tie was still absent as the Celtic boss arrived in the dugout
Credit: Kenny Ramsay
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He's usually always seen in a full suit and tie
Credit: PA
The Celtic boss is known for being particularly well turned out in the dugout.
He's rarely seen without a full suit, shirt, club tie and smart shoes.
While he was still well-dressed as the Hoops faced Aberdeen last Sunday, the lack of tie was a glaring omission for many Celts supporters.
And several fans feared Rodgers was sending a message to the board, sharing their thoughts on social media.
As the game against Aberdeen took place, one fan said: "Perhaps it's me looking too much into it but Rodgers not wearing the club tie might be saying something."
Another worried supporter added: "I think the Rodgers tie-less look today was a message. Didn't want to be in the board uniform."
A third said: "Brendan Rodgers isn't wearing a tie with his suit and I feel like it's a sign of something."
Then on the Monday night following the 2-0 win over the Dons, a fan dialled-in to Clyde Superscoreboard with the same sentiment.
The caller described Rodgers' lack of tie as "alarming for every Celtic fan" and that it said to him that the manager wouldn't be there next season.
Rodgers' contract at Celtic Park is up at the end of this season and he revealed earlier this month that no new deal is currently on the table.
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The Hoops boss has also voiced his frustrations at this summer's transfer activity, repeating calls for his squad to be strengthened further.
A couple of weeks ago, Rodgers said: "It's my responsibility to convince the club that we really need them and clearly I'm not doing that job as well as maybe what I can."
So COULD the lack of tie be a message to the Celtic hierarchy after all?
Well, to put it simply, no.
Rodgers himself was quizzed on the conspiracy talk as he addressed the media ahead of Friday night's Premier Sports Cup clash with Falkirk.
And putting any suggestion of coded messages to bed, he insisted the only message he was sending was that he was too WARM!
Acknowledging he was aware of the furore, Rodgers replied: "It's unbelievable. Someone has told me this here.
"I'm supposedly sending messages - it's unbelievable!
"I'm basically like everyone else. See when it's really hot, you either take off your jacket or your tie.
"See when it's really cold, you wear a jumper.
"I remember last year I wore a jumper and people said 'he's sending a message.'
"What message? It's bloody freezing!
"I had a jumper on and my big coat and it was up to there and I'm fine.
"There's two grounds I've realised in my career that are absolutely boiling.
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"If you get it at the time and the sun's hitting your dugout - Pittodrie and Preston, Deepdale.
"I went there once before and I got absolutely roasted on the day and Pittodrie is the same, the sun hits you.
"So I thought 'I better take off my jacket or take off my tie.'
"So I took my tie off, I don't know what message that is, I'm just warm!"
Rodgers then apologised - but only for people wasting their time on being WRONG.
He then revealed it's ALWAYS his intention to wear a suit and tie - a tradition that goes all the way back to his younger days.
Rodgers continued: "I'm sorry if I've wasted people's energy and time on being wrong but I was just a wee bit hot and that's why I was no tie?"
Asked if the tie would be back tomorrow night, he continued: "I'll look at the temperature and it should be back on tomorrow.
"I've always been the shirt and tie man, my father always brought me up to be respectful.
"When he sent me on trial to clubs when I was younger, at 13 or 14, he'd send me away with a shirt and tie.
"From that, I've always represented him in respect level.
"So it's always shirt and tie where it can be."
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