Latest news with #Trebles
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
I fear Russell Martin is slow Rangers burner and not raging inferno fans want to torch Celtic immortality
When Russell Martin was MK Dons manager, the story goes his team once scored a goal which came after 56 passes in the build-up. That's what you call possession football. Rangers fans will have time to leave their seats, buy a pie, and sit back down again before the creation of a goal leads to its execution. Whether Martin 's trademark style – philosophy, call it what you like – is appealing to those fans in the long run is, of course, now a topic for legitimate debate following his appointment at Ibrox on Thursday. And 56 passes to create a goal is, undeniably, a long run. But number 56 is also at the core of the most pressing concern for Russell and Gers fans. Brendan Rodgers' Celtic side won their 55th league title in the season just ended, equalling Rangers' previously held record on that front. The Old Firm side who wins the Premiership in the season to come will create a bragging rights' coup unparalleled in the history of a rivalry that goes back to the 19th Century. It puts inordinate pressure on Martin – and Rodgers. Brendan is, until such time as we receive evidence to the contrary, approaching his final season in charge of Celtic. His entry into the club's folklore will be assured if his swansong is to become the first ever Celtic manager to win three Trebles. A history-making distinction that was denied the Irishman last month after his team's grotesquely bad performance against Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup final – but still it remains open to him before, or if, he goes elsewhere. Conversely, Rodgers could be denied localised immortality by a controversial figure yet to win over his own club's support, never mind anything else. Martin's three-year contract at Ibrox is, for those ultra- pessimistic regarding his arrival there, split into two parts. One year's wages followed by two years' compensation when his unsuitability for the role of manager necessitates the termination of his employment. It is the insult he has to work hard to prove is inaccurate. I have no interest in Martin's religious persuasion, dietary requirements or political inclination – all of which have been laid bare for public consumption. But I do know every fibre of his being will be put to the test by this kind of introduction to his new surroundings. Buddhism doesn't prepare you for Glasgow. The Dalai Lama would get a hard time if he was manager and not getting results. Rangers' appointment of a man fired by his previous club Southampton midway through last season, means the club remains a source of fascination. No sooner had a former board room member, Alistair Johnston, said the club's new owners 49ers Enterprises would 'extinguish the rot' that has damaged Rangers for well over a decade, than the American consortium's judgement was called into question. Martin gave a composed account of himself at his inaugural press conference, using all the appropriate buzzwords about building a 'culture', winning trophies and meeting the fans' expectations. It's articulacy without the problem of accountability. Talking a good game without the bother of having to play one. That process begins next month when competitive matches have to be played in Europe. Being described as the 'outstanding candidate' for the Ibrox job by chief executive Patrick Stewart forms the debate for the present day. If Andrew Cavenagh, the public face of the Californian cavalry, wants to make money outwith the planned share issue – and that's a certainty – he could always sell the television rights to the club's Annual General Meeting for shareholders on June 23. It is the definition of box office and will be unlike any other shareholders' gathering he, or any of his associates, have ever witnessed in their business lives. It has always been said that the United States and Britain are two places separated by a common language. You ain't seen, or heard, nothing yet. The unbridled optimism created by Rangers' takeover has now, less than two weeks later, given way to something approaching apoplectic criticism of a managerial appointment. Supporters wanted the A-list, Hollywood-sized appointee. They got the man who might be a slow burn instead of a raging inferno. Supporters are emotionally invested in their club. Rangers' new owners are financially invested in their business project. They want to create financial sustainability where there has been none for quite some time. The fans want cash scattered in the transfer market like a man with no arms. This is the culture clash Cavenagh and his cohorts will need to confront when they sit at the top table and invite questions from the floor at June 23's AGM. They have already been accused of making a mistake of gargantuan proportions by hiring Martin. Even though there is not a shred of evidence to substantiate the charge because Russell has yet to begin work. It's not as if Cavenagh will one day go down in infamy, either, as the man who turned down Davide Ancelotti, since the former Real Madrid coach had apparently undergone a change of mind with regard to joining Rangers. But it is a time-honoured tradition that directors and managers are assumed to be guilty until proven innocent. The People versus 49ers Enterprises will be a compelling watch. You lookin' at me?
Daily Record
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Dithering Celtic overpaying on transfers is not the fault of Brendan Rodgers but 3 signings must now happen
Back in the olden days at journalism college there used to be a few mantras would-be hacks were encouraged to stick by. The Four Ws – who, what, when and where – ended up tattooed on foreheads, while some of the more adventurous would add a fifth in 'why'. But another one was the line about how folks should never assume – because it makes an ass of u and me. It's a solid set of advice. Who? Celtic. What? Lost the Scottish Cup Final. When? On Saturday. Where? At Hampden. See? As for the why? Celtic assumed they would win – and they ended up making an ass of it. The next question though is slightly different. What now? Look, winning two out of three trophies and reaching the Champions League knockout stages is a superb season by any definition. Even if it did threaten to be a sensational one earlier in the campaign. The fact Celtic have normalised Trebles over the last decade means they are judged to a higher standard than is probably fair. But that doesn't mean they can escape a post Hampden post mortem. And the more eagle-eyed fans would have seen there would have still been questions to be asked even if Kasper Schmeichel had thrown his bunnet on the ball rather than scoop it in to his own net, or if Daizen Maeda had slotted home rather than slam straight at Dimi Mitov in the final moments. The punters would have enjoyed the pre-planned party outside Parkhead and lapped up lording it over Scottish football. Yet there would have still been issues lurking underneath and it's not the usual Three Rs, it's another one of them – Recruitment. The transfer window opens in just over a fortnight and there is work to be done for Celtic to improve this squad and get them prepared for a treacherous Champions League qualifier and the challenge on the home front ahead. And they will need to be far more nimble in the market than they have been in recent times. Because the harsh reality is, for all the Hoops have enjoyed a sparkling campaign, there have been warning signs this group needs some freshening up. Put it this way, if the current Celtic team went up against the Treble winning side of 2023, what one would come out on top? Would it be the one with Kyogo, Liel Abada, Matt O'Riley, Carl Starfelt and first spell Jota? Or would it be the side that finished at Hampden with an outgoing Greg Taylor playing centre mid, Jeffrey Schlupp getting torched by Shayden Morris out wide, Yang Hyun-jun firing crosses out of the pitch and Irish kid Johnny Kenny leading the line? Everyone knows the answer. Brendan Rodgers is a gaffer who constantly demands progress and improvement, but the truth is Celtic are weaker than they were two years ago. It would be hard not to be. Jota and Starfelt left when Rodgers arrived, Abada departed under a political cloud, O'Riley's chips were cashed in and then Kyogo decided he'd rather be watching the grass grow in France than winning trophies on the pitch with Celts. Those are a tough lot to replace and the ones who have come in haven't quite been up to the mark yet. No one can say Rodgers hasn't had cash. He spent the guts of £40m over the last 12 months. But it's not his fault Celtic paid over the odds for players he fancied due to the club's suits dithering. The likes of Adam Idah and Arne Engels took an age to sort out and ended up costing double what they might have been. Auston Trusty wasn't cheap because it was so late in the window. Celtic have spent £15m trying to replace Starfelt, by the way, and it's £500,000 Liam Scales who remains the best bet. It's not like Rodgers doesn't see this either. His double barrelled blast after defeat at St Johnstone did the job in firing the side up to get over the line in the league. But it was a wider warning as he could spot the little dips that can lead to large lurches. There has been a drop off in the second half of the season. Celtic lost one domestic game the whole of 2024. They've lost five in 2025 and it's only the end of May. Of course some of it can be put down to the title being in the bag by the turn of the year and it was inevitable the edge would come off. But it would still be foolish to assume everything is hunky dory. The failure to replace Kyogo came back to bite Celts in the ass too. The side's domestic win rate when he was around was 84 percent. It dipped to 64 percent without him. Daizen Maeda, Nicholas Kuhn and Idah hitting 20 plus goals was admirable but camouflage. Maeda in particular ended up getting flogged, up front or on the wing, often in the same games as the side didn't function half as well with Idah up top. It's no wonder he was crawling through on one-on-ones at Ibrox and Hampden. Alistair Johnston looked like he'd used up the last of his energy on the walk to the penalty spot before he missed his vital kick, while Rodgers will have sleepless nights about sticking on Reo Hatate at Pittodrie on cup final week. None of this will be news to the manager though. He knows what is required. Kieran Tierney's return is an outstanding first move but it has to be just the start. Celtic need a top striker, another left back and a wide attacker – and that's if no one leaves. The club's recruitment team and bean counters need to act quickly and smartly. Because it's dangerous to assume it will be business as usual and supporters would be demanding why if they don't act.
Daily Record
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Brendan Rodgers reveals the extra meaning fuelling poignant viral Celtic gesture that is all about next season
The Hoops gaffer made a beeline for the emotional Callum McGregor who missed the first penalty Gutted Brendan Rodgers told inconsolable Callum McGregor he's incredible after the Celtic skipper broke down in tears after blowing a shot at another Treble. Rodgers made a beeline for the emotional captain who missed the first penalty in the dramatic spot kick defeat to Aberdeen. It was a first time McGregor had ever tasted defeat in a final - his FIFTEENTH with Celtic. Rodgers admits his side were nowhere near good enough. But the Parkhead boss - who revealed Kasper Schmeichel had apologised for the blunder that handed Aberdeen a route back into the game - insists he will return after the summer ever more determined to deliver a clean sweep. And he expects McGregor to be the exact same. He said: 'Cal's such a conscientious guy. He gives so much to this club. 'Obviously as skipper he's so disappointed he hasn't scored. 'But I was just reminding him of how much of an incredible leader he really is for this club. 'He's given so much to this season and to all the seasons I've ever known him. He's such an amazing guy and it's unfortunate the keeper makes the save. 'He'll come back in the summer, stronger, fitter and ready to go again.' Rodgers was on the brink of history as the first Celtic manager to win three Trebles. But just as it looked like Alfie Dorrington's own goal would be enough to clinch the final piece of silverware of the season, Schmeichel dropped a clanger. Aberdeen held firm to take the game to spot kicks and, just as they did when they last won the cup in 1990, delivered a knockout blow to the Hoops from 12 yards. For Rodgers - who also lifted the FA Cup with Leicester - it was a first final he has ever lost. But he said: 'Clearly, while we're very disappointed, we know that we didn't play anywhere near the standard needed. 'Congratulations to them to win the trophy and take it back to Aberdeen. 'We can have no complaints. We didn't do enough in the game. 'We were very slow. They played how a lot of teams do against us to sit deep. 'We've played many games against that structure and got through it with speed and runs and tempo. 'But it didn't feel like that. We didn't create so much. We didn't break any lines with or without the ball. 'We were very safe and sometimes that's what cup finals can bring. 'There's no doubt we missed Reo Hatate, just his ability to take it off the back foot and play forward and run forward. 'But our speed in our game and our tempo wasn't at the right level to create the opportunities that normally we would. 'Kasper's obviously apologetic to his team-mates. But he's been outstanding for us all season. 'It was one of those moments in the game late on that can happen. 'We still had one or two other chances that we could have scored from. It's just unfortunate at that time in the game.' Rodgers ensured his players stayed back to watch Aberdeen lift the silverware - and told them to use it as motivation next season. He added: 'It shows the expectation to get the three trophies - that's very much there. 'We want to embrace that. And I always look to deliver that. You can't always do it. But it's something that's definitely always in our thinking. 'Like I said, to the guys, when you stand there and you watch the opponent picking up the trophy, you have to show that humility and congratulate them. But use it as a motivation for the next season.'
Daily Record
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Brendan Rodgers 'always' eyed Celtic return after sour ending as honest boss admits 'I never wanted that legacy'
Rodgers knew he had to win some disgruntled Hoops fans back over when he returned to Glasgow's East End Brendan Rodgers admits he always envisioned himself coming back to Celtic because he wanted a more fitting legacy than the nature of his departure the first time around afforded him. After leading the Hoops to domestic Trebles in 2017 and 2018, the forme r Liverpool boss infuriated sections of the Parkhead fanbase when he jumped ship to join Leicester City in March 2019 in the midst of his team's push for another trophy sweep. The Irishman spent the next five years with the Tigers, memorably guiding them to glory in the FA Cup in 2021. However, just two years later Rodgers left Leicester just weeks before they relegated from the Premier League. Rodgers sealed his return to Celtic three months later and claimed that he had knocked back offers from England's top-flight and abroad in favour of coming back to Glasgow's East End. But the 52-year-old concedes he understood the trepidation from some surrounding his arrival. Speaking to James McFadden for BBC Sport Scotland ahead of the Scottish Cup final against Aberdeen, he said: "I knew the feeling when I left and I never wanted that to be my legacy here at Celtic. "Growing up as a Celtic guy who had a wonderful first spell here, for that to be my story, I never really wanted that. "I'd always wanted to come back but I didn't know when it was going to be. "I hoped it would, there was never a guarantee because obviously if people don't want you back, then it wasn't going to be. "But I was very thankful (that) I had a really good relationship with Dermot (Desmond) and the board when I was here the first time. "In particular with Dermot and his confidence and belief in me never wavered. "I always wanted to come back and for a multitude of reasons. "One of them being I wanted Celtic to do well in Europe. I wanted us to bring Celtic into Europe and be respectable and have credibility. "So that was a big factor whilst still looking to dominate domestically because that is your bread and butter." You can get all the news you need on our dedicated Rangers and Celtic pages, and sign up to our newsletters to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season. We're also on WhatsApp where we bring all the latest breaking news and transfer gossip directly to you phone. Join our Rangers community here and our Celtic community here.
Daily Record
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Brendan Rodgers vows 'no barriers' on Celtic in the Champions League but boss offers one caveat
Hoops lifted the Premiership trophy this weekend and have the chance to clinch the treble in next Saturday's Scottish Cup Final. Brendan Rodgers insists there's no barrier on what he wants to achieve with Celtic as he targets an even better run in the Champions League next season. The Hoops are on the verge of clinching another Treble and this season reached the knockout stage of Europe's premier club competition for the first time since 2013. Only a 94th minute Alphonso Davies goal stopped them taking Bayern Munich to extra time in that round of 16 play-off clash in the Allianz Arena. And asked if it was realistic to target going even further in next season's Champions League, Rodgers said: 'Yeah, you have to dream of that. 'I don't think we can put any sort of barriers on what it is we want to achieve. But you have to be realistic as well. 'We had a great feeling, we saw how close we ran Bayern Munich over two legs. That will hopefully give us a good feeling and we have to continue to recruit good players that allows us to grow and develop at that level. 'The next phase will be seeing if we can continue with the impact in Europe. That felt really good this year. The performance levels in some of those games were absolutely great. 'We want to be a team that consistently does that. It's really sustaining this club as a really respectable competitive club in European football at the highest level while continuing to be hungry to dominate domestically. 'On a personal level it's more than the trophies it's how much money can I help bring in to the club through the sale of players, improving players, young players, establishing the academy so we can get young players through quicker. Rodgers can eclipse Jock Stein as the first Hoops boss to win three Trebles if his side beat Aberdeen in next Saturday's Scottish Cup Final. And he knows he's on the cusp on something special. He said: 'You never get tired of it. 'It's a symbol of your work and that you are working well. The first time coming towards that first treble you'd be so focused, then when the final whistle went against Aberdeen I knew I was joining the ranks of some incredible managers who had gone before me. 'So I know the narrative around this one being the first manager to win three trebles. That will probably only sink in - if it happens - later on.'
