Stephen McGowan on Brendan Rodgers v Celtic Board ‘standoff’ | OneFootball

The turmoil of Celtic’s abysmal summer transfer window has put the club in a fragile state, with the high-profile journalist Stephen McGowan characterising the current scenario as a ‘standoff’ between Brendan Rodgers and club hierarchy…

The Celtic Board. Celtic Champions 2025. Dundee United v Celtic, 26 April 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star).

Although there have been claims of internal disputes, Rodgers still has the support from fans, many of whom see him as unfairly let down by a board that had a shambolic transfer window to the point the club were scrambling about for EPL rejects and free agents at the eleventh hour on deadline day.

Discontent with the mute executives has been simmering for years and has escalated in recent weeks, worsening after a club insider briefed against the manager and undermined Rodgers through spouting a story to Roger Hannah at the The Scottish Sun.

Now, McGowan thinks that given the club’s healthy financial status, there are a million reasons why Rodgers will not walk out the club.

Brendan Rodgers at Ibrox theRangers v Celtic,31 August 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Speaking on Graham Spiers’ Press Box Podcast, the Herald journalist said: “There’s three million reasons why he won’t resign. We know how football works. Managers, if they want to go, want their contract paid up.”

“And the very last club who want to pay Brendan Rodgers two-and-a-half million pounds to go away are Celtic. They barely pay two-and-a-half million for a centre forward, so why would they pay it to a manager who’s not honouring his contract?”

McGowan added: “I think it’s a bit of a stand-off now. It looks like the relationship is in a very bad way from the outside, and it’s a case of who blinks first.”

Brendan Rodgers, Manager of Celtic, reacts during the match between theRangers and Celtic at Ibrox on August 31, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Rodgers is tied to a contract that will see him through until the end of the season, and with Celtic unlikely to pay a large sum for his exit, the ‘standoff’ as McGowan labels it could continue for months, while fan support for the manager keeps mounting pressure on the board.

The initial move which was agreed at Wednesday’s Fan Consultation meeting which The Celtic Star attended is scheduled for Sunday’s clash with Kilmarnock. Supporters will coordinate a ‘late entry’ protest to visualise their discontent at the board. More on this fan protest on the next page.

Conor Spence

Read this on the next page – Celtic to play ’12 minutes without the 12th man’ at Kilmarnock

Celtic take on Kilmarnock at Rugby Park on Sunday afternoon in the 3pm Scottish Premiership match. And from around 3.12pm the team can be assured that they will hear the travelling Celtic support at its loudest and very best as they roar the team onto victory…

Celtic fans protest at Rugby Park. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

However due to the failings of those in the Celtic Boardroom, a large number of Celtic supporters will wait until 12 minutes after kick-off before entering the stand to support the team.

North Curve Celtic this evening confirmed the earlier reports on The Celtic Star but actually went two minutes further from the timings agreed at the supporters meeting in Glasgow last night. So it’s going to be 12 minutes without the 12th man on Sunday at Rugby Park.

Celtic fans at Rugby Park. Photo Vagelis Georgariou for The Celtic Star.

The statement reads as follows:

“At Sunday’s match v Kilmarnock, Celtic’s 12th man will enter the stand on the 12th minute to remind the Celtic FC Board that it exists.

“This bold visual and vocal protest, follows the recent Open Letter signed by 420 signatories which the board has failed to respond to. and a consultation meeting with these signatories.

Celtic supporters at Rugby Park

“As a collective of fans, we wish no detriment to the team but believe necessary steps must be taken to demonstrator discontent and remind the board that “football is nothing without fans.

“Once we enter the stand, the team will receive vociferous backing.”

Celtic fans protest at Rugby Park. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

Please note that supporters going to the game on Sunday can join this protest or alternatively take their seats as usual ahead of kick-off and there will be no pressure from those fans taking part in the protest to encourage others to join in. This point was discussed and agreed at the supporters meeting last night with was attended by The Celtic Star.

Brendan Rodgers will speak to the media tomorrow and may well be asked about this planned protest for Sunday,  this first Celtic game since the club issued that statement and also a so called Celtic insider briefed against the Celtic manager via the Scottish Sun. It will be interesting to see what Brendan has to say about the protest and also whether or not he decides to speak to that newspaper.

Earlier in the day North Curve released this statement updating supporters on last night’s very busy meeting:

“Yesterday evening, a consultation meeting was held with the signatories of the recent Open Letter to Celtic FC. The Open Letter has still to be addressed by Celtic FC despite it representing tens of thousands of Celtic supporters.

Celtic fans protest at Rugby Park. Photo Vagelis Georgariou for The Celtic Star.

“At the meeting, there was an overwhelming consensus on the following points, which were compounded by a survey of 38,832 Celtic supporters in advance of the meeting:

The Celtic Board. Celtic Champions 2025. Dundee United v Celtic, 26 April 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star).

“Finally, we would like to thank all who have participated in the process so far. It is natural that there will be a mix of feelings regarding some actions or inaction; however, the most important consideration at this stage is maintaining, building and utilising support.”

Celtic supporters at Rugby Park

Celtic in the Eighties – Out Now!…

Celtic in the Eighties by the late, great David Potter is out now on Celtic Star Books. Celtic in the Eighties is now available in the Celtic superstore and all other club shops. And don’t forget that you can still purchase your copy directly from Celticstarbooks.com for same day postage.

Order Celtic in the Eighties today, you’ll be glad you did, it’s a fabulous read!

OUT NOW! Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Foreword by Danny McGrain. Published on Celtic Star Books. Click on image to order.

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