Some Men Fight for Silver – Why Celtic ‘exiting’ Brendan Rodgers was an error

In partnership with

The Celtic Star

·16 de marzo de 2026

Some Men Fight for Silver – Why Celtic ‘exiting’ Brendan Rodgers was an error

We can all admit it now, forcing Brendan Rodgers out of Celtic was a big, big mistake by the Celtic Board…

Brendan Rodgers, photo Al Qadsiah Saudi Club @AlQadsiahEN

Former Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers has been making headlines thanks to his major input in the turnaround in fortunes of Saudi pro league side AI Quadsiah.

OneFootball Videos

Under the Irishman, and assistant John Kennedy, AI Quadsiah have risen to the top end of the table just four points off leaders, Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr, with the recent comeback win over a star studded AI-Ahli side further highlighting his influence and credentials as a manager.

Never See an Ad Again – Subscribe Now and get 7 Days for Free!

Go ad-free on The Celtic Star, get a FREE trial period to try it out. Also download our new App – available for both Apple and Android – and get the best Celtic content on your phone quickly and without any hassle getting to the Celtic stories you want to read.

He is unbeaten in 17 games 13 wins 4 draws

AI Quadsiah are unbeaten under Rodgers, having won 13, drawn four and lost none in his 17 games in charge of the Saudi Pro-League title challengers.

Brendan Rodgers, photo Al Qadsiah Saudi Club @AlQadsiahEN

I was one of the Brendan’s biggest critics during his final weeks in charge, and was in favour of change, but I’m big enough to admit now that I was wrong, and that if he had stayed around, then we would in a much healthier position in the league than we find ourselves presently.

Things certainly had gone a bit stale, but Brendan is a man who has been over the course and distance so many times, and I’ve no doubt that he would have rallied the troops so to speak. Celtic would have been in a much better position than we are just now, that’s for sure.

We would also have been exempt from witnessing the turbulent and disastrous Wilfried Nancy era, and anyone connected to the club would do anything to re-write that chapter in our history, that’s a given. Yes we got Martin O’Neill – twice – and he’s been truly wonderful on both occasions.

Brendan Rodgers, photo Al Qadsiah Saudi Club @AlQadsiahEN

Derek McInnes is currently still top of the league with points total at this stage of the season not any better that he was averaging at Aberdeen when Brendan was in charge at Celtic first time around. The difference is that Celtic decided to ‘exit’ the manager for answering awkward questions being asked by the Celtic fan media (also exited) about the board’s failings in the transfer market. The outcome of that was Wilfried Nancy a dozen dropped points.

We were still overdue a change of direction in the dugout, as this would have certainly been Brendan’s last spell at the club, but if we was still in charge we would most likely be sitting with a comfortable cushion at the top of the table.

Brendan Rodgers, new manager at Saudi Pro League side Al Qadsiah. Photo Al Qadsiah FC

I mean, would we have lost at home to Hearts or the Rangers? Or Dundee United? Even the cup final to St Mirren or the other damaging results in the league and Europe would most likely have been avoided, meaning we would be in a much more happier position on and off the park.

Change was and still is required in the dugout, just as it is in the boardroom, but had Brendan not decided enough was enough, the storm clouds currently surrounding Celtic Park would be that bit lighter. Make no mistake the board wanted Rodgers gone and in those final two games at Dundee and Hearts six points were lost because of the behind the scenes problems at the club.

Al Shabab v Al Qadsiah: Saudi Pro League RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – DECEMBER 31: Brendan Rodgers team Manager of Al-Qadsiah FC during the Saudi Pro League match between Al Shabab FC and Al Qadsiah at Prince Faisal bin Fahad Stadium on December 31, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Riyadh Prince Faisal bin Fahad Stadium Saudi Arabia: Photo: Abdullah Ahmed

Meanwhile Brendan Rodgers and John Kennedy are doing well in Saudi Arabia and it’s great to see. If Martin O’Neill does win the league and maybe even the Scottish Cup then he deserves tremendous recognition and gratitude for saving our skins this season. All of the problems Martin’s had to deal with have been self-inflicted.

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

Celtic in the Thirties by Matt Corr. Click on image to order