We're watching a Brendan Rodgers Celtic rerun minus 'terminado' and board would be dumb to ignore the danger

Daily Record

2 days ago

Michael Gannon has seen Rodgers in this movie before but insists the ending isn't already written as boss sets sequel conditions
There was a famous line from Dumb and Dumber that came to mind after Brendan Rodgers lobbed his grenade into the Celtic boardroom on Friday.
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It was when Jim Carrey's Lloyd Christmas character was asking the object of his desire how his prospects looked.
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She said: 'Not good. About one in a million.'
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The bold Lloyd shot back from under his dodgy fringe: 'So you're saying there's a chance? Yes!'
Right now it seems like there's even less than a one in a million chance of Rodgers ' relationship lasting beyond the end of the season.
But, maybe it's dumb of fans to think it, but his explosive comments the other day did actually leave the door open – even if just a tad.
This might be half full – or half wit – way to see it but this is the first time Rodgers has even hinted that he might even be open to remaining at the club beyond his three years.
It has been kind of assumed he'd feel he'd had enough by that stage, having been in charge for almost six years over two spells and all the nonsense that goes along with it.
Sure, there were warnings for the board, maybe even an ultimatum over what needs to happen in the next few weeks.
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But there was also a hint of a road map. It wasn't just back me or I'm off. It was also back me and I might actually stay.
Look, it was probably a shrewd move applying the thumb screws a tad to get the suits to get shift on and get deals done.
It was also advice on what they need to do to keep hold of the best possible manager they could hope for.
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Rodgers doesn't say anything lightly. Every word is there for a reason. This is a guy who studied neurolinguistic programming – a psychological approach where language is used to steer folk in a certain direction to ensure desired outcomes.
He's a master at it. Sometimes it can be cryptic and open to interpretation. Other times – like Friday – it's crystal clear.
There's no doubt this press conference was a bit like Oasis playing one of their greatest hits.
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We've been here before with Rodgers. Back in August 2018, he was tearing his hair out over missing out on John McGinn while his team were toiling in the Champions League qualifier with AEK Athens.
The famous 'Terminado' presser. Those of us in the room that day knew the Irishman had basically hit the button on the countdown clock to his exit that day.
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When asked about the club not matching his ambition, he said: 'My job is done then. Terminado. Gone.
'That's the challenge. You have to test yourself to the limit. You have to be courageous as a club.
'It's a joy to work here. I love my life here and enjoy being the manager here.
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'But it's no good if I just sit back and get comfortable. Being comfortable is the enemy of progress.
'We don't want to stand still. How do we improve? We improve in Europe and in order to do that, it's simple, is quality players.
'The minute I start thinking otherwise and get comfortable, then progress stops. In football you can't afford to do that.
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'It's too late once the rot sets in. It's too late. Deep down I am a supporter but I am also a professional manager. I also look for the help that is needed to take the team to the next level if that is what the demand is. I will always push for that.'
Sound familiar? Friday was a rerun minus the terminado line.
Except this time is different. The Celtic board called his bluff back then and he jumped at the first chance to get back to the EPL.
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This time he'll see out the season and you suspect he might fancy a crack at the Saudi league having seen last week against Al Ahli a club that will happily stump up £40m for a full back and not blank at £50m for a striker.
No one could blame him after having the rug pulled out from him at Leicester City after stunning success, and he's probably sick of the scraping again at Celtic.
Yet there is this feeling he does love being Celtic manager. He relishes being king in this country, building a legacy at the club and trying to defy the odds in Europe.
Celtic have money in the bank but they are in danger of losing their greatest asset.
But he's told them there is a chance – even if it's one in a million – and the board would be beyond dumb and dumber to ignore it.