It looks like after a few days of what could be called intense negotiations, Brendan Rodgers will ride back into town for another crack at being Celtic manager.
From what’s being reported, he has a vision for the future, and wants to take Celtic to a level that was denied to him the last time, which some claim was the reason he went to Leicester.
I’ve always liked him.
Except when I didn’t, which is probably how most of us feel about him.
Dermot Desmond has stamped his authority on the board, and like any man of his age, has opted for the comfort of familiarity.
Peter and the Lawwells, a kind of , er , traditional outfit, who are more in keeping with the tunes of the old Kelly board in that they wanted to keep most of the money in a big pot in case they needed it, have retired for a while to consider their positions.
They won’t be going anywhere, but they won;t be doing much either, though it remains to be seen if they attempt to undermine the new manager.
Rodgers has certainly shown he isn’t coming back to Celtic just for the sake of it, and his long term plan suggests he might even stay a bit longer this time.
He wanted assurances, it seems, that he would be able to drive the club further forward in Europe, with large scale investment in the squad and facilities.
Which, given that he ran out on the club last time, would have taken some convincing for some on the board.
But it appears he has been granted his wishes, which puts both fear and excitement into the support.
Mostly fear, but there is a considerable level of excitement with the news that Celtic are not going to stand still, or as we usually do from a position of strength, regress.
Let’s hope that his dabblings in the transfer market are better than last time….
Not exactly impressive, but if as suspected, that was all he was allowed to do, then no wonder he took the hump and sodded off.
What stands out in that list, perhaps above everything else, is the amount of loan deals.
Loans are all well and good if it’s to cover for an emergency, such as a run of injuries, or with an option to buy, but that list suggests a policy of renting instead of buying, which makes little sense unless it was the only option.
Which it certainly shouldn’t have been, and points to a major flaw in the recruitment policy.
That major flaw, of course, was Lee Congerton, who came, saw and made a complete arse of things, but again it’s worth noting he could only shop in the markets he was allowed to.
In short, Rodgers wants to pick up from the point where Lawwell stopped him last time.
I suppose, all things considered, if we’re going to give it a shot, we might as well go with him as anyone else, if only because this time around we won’t fall for any of his bullshit, and that in turn might just mean he’ll give it a miss.
It’s not known if he’s had a chat with Danny McGrain about the future yet, but he did meet up with Calum MacGregor on the quiet last week, in the same way he met Scott Brown before taking the job on in 2016.
So he is taking it seriously, and it must have went well, because he is going to get the job, and whatever he has said to MacGregor has probably erased any doubts the captain will have had.
Either that or MacGregor himself will be away.
I’d suggest that would be a catastrophic start to his reign, so he would have tried to get him on board.
We’ll see, I suppose, but it looks like the club that was going to move forward under Postecoglou is still intent on moving forward, just with someone else in the driving seat.
Though I’m still not sure whether to be excited or terrified.
I suppose now that he’s going to be manager we should be more concerned about what he is going to do rather than what he did last time, and if what’s being reported is true, then it could be a hell of a ride, and let’s face it, we do need a wee bit of a boost after being let down by the buzzard from Aus.
The new away kit for next season has been unveiled….
Wrapped in Scottish heritage with intricate details on the ribbed crewneck collar and cuffs of the Away shirt, the new kit is the perfect blend of history and modernity with the strong and imposing black kit featuring the iconic adidas three-stripe and tonal details, complemented by traditional elements to complete the new look.
An embroidered Celtic crest displayed proudly on the chest will ensure your passion for the Celts stands out.
It’s black, with some white bits and a badge on it.
Though given the possibility of a little more excitement than we’d hoped for, at least it caters for those nervous sweaty moments we’ve come to enjoy….
Whether you’re playing, supporting or representing the club while wearing the kit, the shirt’s moisture-absorbing AEROREADY technology and breathable mesh inserts will keep you comfortable.
Sounds more like a sanitary product, if I’m being honest.
Perhaps a new marketing department should take precedence over all that sports science nonsense.
Yesterday, we pondered this.
As an “environmentally friendly” ahem, solution the groundstaff at Auchenhowie unveil a couple of new lawnmowers.
Today….
Caption
I got the job you wanted mate!
“If Rangers fall apart I can be Invincible, again if not …Ange , Ange.”
This is the last season Celtic can drop into the Europa League and win a European trophy. Unless of course another team wins the League. Is it still two teams from Scotland in the new Champions League format from 24/25? If so someone else in Scotland will have access to CL money. I hope Barry Robson is up for it.
if they think you are a rat mate, wait till they see what i do……
Caption: The first thing you need to do when you get there is get Danny McGrain onside…
You’ve given me the fear with the diary this morning, FFS we are going to give Rodgers a, relatively speaking, big budget. His track record in the transfer market, at Liverpool and Leicester as well is not exactly tremendous. We can’t afford to get this wrong or we could be set back years. How long will Dermot put money in if he sees diminishing returns? I only hope the people who scouted the signings under Ange are still in the building.
I’m away for a lie down in a darkened room. Jesus Christ.
Dermot put money in?
When did that happen?
Well it might be a first…
Aye, sure, the Celtic fans put nearly a billion quid into the club and Dermot decided to use some of that to pay Robbie Keane#’ wages then took all the credit himself.
Dont ye remember, sure?
He didn’t become a billionaire by actually using his own money.
His own Masonry, aye, but never his own money.
Caption; KFC and LFC discuss their joint hatred of RFC
Better the Devil you know comes to mind, it doesn’t matter what the fans think one man decided this outcome. Dermot gets what Dermot wants. Invincible season incoming, hopefully.
Caption ( Hey Ange ! Why did you let Danny go? Maaate! Enough!! )
Caption – Brendan and Ange meet up as the 1st two members of the new “Future Celtic Manager’s Supporters Club”
Good grief. The Norwegian is the guy we need. Buys players for a low price and develops them. Rodgers spent 350 million at Liverpool and made Leicester the most expensive team in History to get relegated. He is not going to get that sort of cash at Celtic and will be off within a year. Dreadful, Lazy decision.
Caption:
BR: I lied to the Celtic fans about my love for the club like no one else could
Ange: Hold my pint….
The bit of ange-r that I can’t let go is the quoting the great Tommy Burns while knowing he was out the door. No matter what Ange does TB is 10 times the man he’ll ever be
Hilarious!
Where’s the fire exit?
KLV
Caption
BR to ap
You’ll never be a Champions League Player if you eat KFC
Donald Park of sevco, seen ‘tapping up’ the then Liverpool manager, a lifelong sevco fan…
Tag, you’re it.
Caption ‘Yep, the silly bastards are taking me back and they’ve got another black away strip. Plus ça change….’
Caption: chuckle brothers discuss the Celtic managers job “to you, to me”
Caption: “so that’s agreed then Ange, June 2025, I hand the reins back to you at Celtic and I get the Spurs job. The fans will love it….win win”
Caption
A pre-celtic Ange Postecoglou says to Brendan Rodgers “geezajoab myte”.
“Oive been offered your old gig myte: tell me, do they do hourly contracts”? “And boye the way, is McGroin still playing at Porkhyde”?
Here’s the KFC Family Bucket you ordered mate.
I’ll believe it when I see it regarding next level signings.
I do want to see it, as its the only way I can see us cracking Europe, which may only be a modest few more points and Europa knock-out.
If we do that, we make more money, which enables us to invest in even better players etc.
The simple ambitious risk-taking (nb not reckless) strategy that all successful teams of our stature undertake, outside of their own wee world.
I remain sceptical, as that’s been promised before, but is never enacted as the board take fright.
Rodgers mark 1, was a Desmond apt and was enormously successful initially as Lawwell was banished to useful tasks like counting paperclips.
For whatever reason, he was allowed to worm his way back in with a wrecking strategy, if he wasn’t front and centre then he’d scuttle the good ship Celtic.
Trying to sell players behind the manager’s back, not signing McGinn and next level players, where all the work had been done by others, within budget, and all that was required was lead in his pencil but Pistol Pete was firing blanks.
All the players we’ve been linked with so far (I know paper talk) are in the same low-ball £2-3m, enough probably to continue dominating domestically but next-level to crack Europe, nah.
Although Rodgers, if it is indeed him, may have 1 or 2 personal choices (sadly the Leicester carcass has already been stripped of any good meat), generally speaking the recruitment will be handled separately, although he’ll have input on the type of player he wants but not the specific player.
He’s high maintenance, high cost (players) and, if we go down this route then, I hope, we don’t renege on it, like before.
Frankly with Lawwell still being in the building, I just don’t think it will work, so, if he remains then its been set up to fail.
Any suggestion that he’s merely a non-executive Chair with no operational control, doesn’t understand his massive ego and need to be centre stage, witness the weekend’s grandstanding. Can you imagine Bankier acting like that?
Desmond understands this, so if he allows him to continue to interfere then he’s complicit.
I don’t like immoderate Wednesday, that follows immoderate Tuesday, that follows immoderate Monday. 🙁
Caption “After you”. “No, after you”
Manager of KFC tells Liverpool manager the secret ingredient; “it’s rat, mate.”
“Hmm there’s a little club in Scotland dishing out cash on a sure thing. Hang around for a bit then it’s mediocrity in the epl. Fixed for life. You want their phone number”
They’re both cavalier when it comes to defending. Ange and Brenda. I think Brenda is a better coach. Ange is a nutter with his faith based tactics. Brenda slightly the better of two evils. We had the best players so we win 90 plus per cent of the time. Up against better opposition under Ange we never won. At least Brenda drew with a good man city side, he’s the better manager. Angel character trumps him plus he’s more economical. Although the gravy train from Japan would’ve dried up. He reached his limit that’s why he’s off ski
I think this is the lazy devil you know choice. An opportunity for a young up and coming manager with the mentality to press and possess the ball in an attacking style has been missed. I have no doubt that Rodgers can put manage the current “the rangers” manager the question is can he out manage in Europe and has he learned his lessons about a solid defense?
Caption.Whats that Ange,inverted full backs,think thats all Greek to me
You should have titled this piece ‘And Now For Something Completely Different’.
You’re not seriously blaming Rodgers for all those signings are you when everybody knows the reason he left was because Lawwell was making signings, THOSE SIGNINGS, without his consent?
Arzani, Shved,
What about Castagne, who he never got due to Lawwell’s parsimony?
McGinn, who he never got, again due to Lawwell’s parsimony?
Benkovic, who he never got, once again due to Lawwell’s parsimony?
What you’re trying to do here, Walphie, is just play us enough off both sides of the coin to keep us off your back having relaxed how much you exposed yourself as a Lawwell stooge yesterday by (nearly) flipping the narrative on us today.
But unfortunately for you some of your readers are way too wide for such infantile posturing and idiotic games and it’s getting to the stage now where you’re already regretting returning to the Daily Diary given the amount of Lawwell loving pish you’re filling it with.
Just because some of your readers are daft doesn’t mean we all are.
Lawell signed most of that sh,ite. btw. the snake isnt here yet and he is the snake. However if he does come you can be sure Lawell will require to get the b,umming he deserves
That’s my point, but Ralph here is trying to blame Rodgers for all of them and I’m no fan of Rodgers but this is revisionism at best and blatant lying at worst by the author.
And most of the readers know it and should be asking why Ralph suddenly has so much affection for and is doing so much covering for Mr Moneyball Bonus Grabber Lawwell.
Caption:
The past, the past and the future.
Caption – You met Lawwell? Listen, an enemy of my enemy is a friend of mine.
Caption:
’Did you know all the Celtic bloggers are Peter Lawwell’s stooges?’
’Aye, always. But they won’t be making any kinda stooge out of me.’
Know F#%king Chance
Lying Fat Cu£t
And then you tell the you had Kenny Dalglish posters on the wall …
Caption
Bin-fire of the Vanities
peter lawell thought Youssouf Mulumbu was better than John McGinn.
Where does that leave your Brennanesque defence of Lawwell, Ralph?
Rodgers will resign Boyata.
for who
Caption:
Ange mate, my sisters Mammy is a Greek immigrant.
Peter Lawwell is a penny pinching interfering money grabbing team neglecting useless waste of space who should no longer be anywhere near Celtic..
Whether you like it or not.
All he was ever interested in was amassing enough money, FROM OUR CLUB, to further his investment portfolio for himself and his family.
Whether you like it or not.
He is also a domineering, bullying, self regarding self indulgent narcissist who famously refused an employee’s request ro have his office painted because Lawwell said the club couldn’t afford it, while personally pocketing yet another 2 million quid bonus instead of buying players for the team.
Whether you like it or not.
If at first you do succeed, come back and succeed again.
We never stall.
COYBIG
The clincher for Brendan on the 3yr contract was the Non-Harassment Order put on Peter Lawwell.
good thing rodgers is back. good thing the green brigade have shown themselves up to be the petulant babies they always were. why dont they f,uck off and support another team
They do support a different team from you, Hun.
go an gee yersel wan
How did it go on your Ibrox Incels dark net, “here lads, I’ve a dream, I’m going Hundercover and, if the Tims are as dim as us, they’ll not notice as I slag their managers, players and fans”?
More importantly, how do you think its going, “Return to base, mission unsuccessful”?
Never a Celt, always a fraud.
talking tae yersel again hen
Oh, let me tell you something, mate. So I’m a hu,n because It would be brilliant if Rodgers gave celtic a treble season. We don’t need this bunch of philistine pyromaniacs causing divisions in the club. And you agree with our so-called “supporters” already slagging off the manager. As for drugs, seriously, it’s just a dumb move. get help with that. Its not big and not clever
Didn’t see this coming 😉
He’s traded mediocrity for immortality
St Brendan’s Journey – The Return
its been on the internet all week ya muppet
DJ, can you play,
Willy and the Vanguards: Nowhere to run.
sevco component of cultural FC.
SMSM: Mind games from mindless peepul.
Tom English needs to go regimental. The wee bassa has been diagnosed with sevco skin infection.