⚽ “Crisis? What Crisis?” – Brendan Rodgers, Celtic, and the Noise Beyond the Touchline
Brendan Rodgers cut a composed, even defiant figure in front of the cameras last week — a man resolute in his message, even as the noise around him reaches fever pitch. The word “crisis” has been flung around Celtic Park like confetti in recent weeks, a term that seems to echo louder with every protest banner, anonymous briefing, and boardroom blunder.
But Rodgers isn’t having it.
“I see this noise that’s around about Celtic in crisis and this sort of thing. It absolutely is not.”
And when you pause to examine the facts, you’d be hard-pressed to disagree. For all the emotional angst off the pitch, the actual footballing product — the thing that ultimately matters most — is ticking along impressively.
🟢 Top of the League, Unbeaten, and in the Cup Hunt
Let’s get straight to the heart of the matter. Celtic are:
Unbeaten in the Scottish Premiership.
Nine points clear of arch-rivals Rangers.
One win away from Hampden Park, having reached the quarter-finals of the Premier Sports Cup.
Gearing up for a return to European competition with their Europa League opener in Belgrade looming.
That is not a team in crisis. That is a team managing change, navigating growing pains, and — crucially — still winning games.
Rodgers is under no illusions that Celtic are at their fluent best. He readily admits they’re still a work in progress. Players are adapting to new demands, new structures, and in many cases, a completely different footballing culture. But even amid the growing pains, they’ve built a healthy lead at the top of the table — and there’s a steel to their performances that suggests more to come.
“We’re not at our best. Of course we’re not,” Rodgers said. “But everything that’s happening now is all natural with the changes we’ve had and players adapting.”
🔥 The Real Turmoil Is Off the Pitch
So why all the noise?
Because while the players have held up their end of the bargain on the pitch, the same cannot be said of the boardroom.
The summer transfer window was a shambles — chaotic, underwhelming, and mismanaged. Key areas weren’t addressed. Promised reinforcements failed to arrive. And at the eleventh hour, a deal to sell Daizen Maeda fell through, throwing the club’s strategy into disarray.
There was no clarity. No communication. No accountability.
Fans weren’t angry just because players didn’t arrive. They were angry because once again, they weren’t listened to.
👥 Leaks, Politics, and Power Plays
Things came to a head when an internal club source briefed against Rodgers to the media. It was a cowardly move — and Rodgers didn’t mince words when he addressed it.
“A coward,” he called them. “Someone who wanted to destabilise.”
It was an unusually sharp, raw moment in modern football. Managers often speak in clichés when dealing with internal disputes. Rodgers didn’t. His honesty shocked many, but it also lifted the lid on what many fans had long suspected — all is not well behind the scenes at Celtic.
A subsequent internal investigation followed. Rodgers declared the matter “done.” But in truth, incidents like this leave a lingering taste. Trust eroded at this level doesn’t rebuild overnight.
🧣 Supporters Speak Loudest – Even When Silent
Last weekend, fans staged a 12-minute silent protest during the match against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park. Twelve minutes of eerie silence — no chants, no songs, no energy — followed by a raucous eruption in the 13th minute.
It was a powerful moment. A symbolic gesture that said everything the supporters needed to say:
“We support the team. But we do not support the way this club is being run.”
Rodgers responded with grace.
“I’m not going to tell supporters how to feel, how to act. We want this club to be tight together. But I can’t tell supporters how to act.”
His understanding of the supporter base is crucial. He’s not demanding blind loyalty. He recognises the right of fans to protest. But he also sees that — at least inside the stadium — they are still backing the players fully.
And that unity between the stands and the squad is what’s driving Celtic forward, even amid internal uncertainty.
🔄 Squad Management in a Gruelling Fixture Run
The challenges ahead are not just political — they are footballing as well.
From now until Christmas, Celtic will play every midweek, save for the international break. That’s a demanding, relentless schedule, and it will stretch this squad to its limits.
Rodgers knows this. That’s why rotation is being considered — and that’s why fans may have to wait a little longer to see new faces in action.
🔸 Jahmai Simpson-Pusey – Waiting in the Wings
The 19-year-old centre-back on loan from Manchester City has yet to make his debut. He’s been left out of the Europa League squad and sits behind Carter-Vickers, Liam Scales, and Dane Murray in the defensive pecking order. Auston Trusty’s return from injury will push him even further down.
But Rodgers is keen to manage expectations.
“He’s here for the 12 months at least to show what he can do. It’s not easy — you come into a club like Celtic, you still have to earn your position.”
Simpson-Pusey, by all accounts, has impressed in training. But the Celtic manager is clear: there will be no handouts. The young defender’s time will come — but not yet.
🔸 The Balikwisha Dilemma
Rodgers made headlines for publicly taking the blame for Balikwisha’s slow start.
“To be fair, that’s on me… He’s a left-sided player. He’s much more comfortable on the left.”
Balikwisha was brought in to replace Maeda, who looked set to depart. When that deal collapsed, Rodgers was forced to improvise — deploying the technically gifted Belgian on the right, out of position.
The results have been mixed at best. He’s struggled to influence games, and his confidence appears to have taken a knock. But Rodgers has seen enough to believe there’s a player there — one who just needs time, proper positioning, and support.
🔸 The Tounekti Spark
In contrast, Sebastien Tounekti has made an instant impact. The 2–1 win over Kilmarnock saw him make a flying debut, showing pace, trickery, and fearlessness. If he can stay fit and consistent, he may prove to be the wildcard in Celtic’s wide options.
🩹 Injury Relief: Johnston Nearing Return
One major boost for Rodgers is the early return of Alistair Johnston. The Canadian right-back has been sidelined but is now ahead of schedule in his recovery. His comeback will solidify the backline, provide energy on the flanks, and offer Rodgers more tactical flexibility in both domestic and European matches.
🧠 Rodgers’ Approach: Calm in the Chaos
What has stood out most in recent weeks is Brendan Rodgers’ mental clarity.
In a football culture that can devour its own — especially in Glasgow — he has remained calm, articulate, and focused. He has not dodged questions. He has not passed the buck. And he has not allowed outside drama to poison the atmosphere inside Lennoxtown.
His message has been simple:
Keep the players focused.
Keep the performances coming.
Let the fans voice their concerns — they’ve earned that right.
Control what can be controlled.
He’s building a team, not just a matchday XI. And that takes time, patience, and trust.
🏁 So… Crisis? Not Yet. But Still Fragile
Rodgers is absolutely right to shut down the “crisis” narrative — because this isn’t a crisis. Not yet.
But it could become one if things aren’t handled properly in the months ahead.
The ingredients are all there for instability:
Disconnected boardroom.
Fan unrest.
Squad depth concerns.
A packed fixture list.
A volatile European campaign about to begin.
However, Rodgers is currently keeping the ship steady. Results are good. Performances are improving. The dressing room is united. And the fans, for all their frustrations, are still behind the team.
In many ways, this is the most important period of Rodgers’ Celtic career. Not because of titles or trophies — but because of leadership.
If he can navigate this storm, restore internal trust, keep the fans engaged, and guide the club into 2026 with stability and progress, then he will have achieved something far more enduring than silverware.
✅ Final Thought: The Real Battle Is for Unity
The “crisis” at Celtic isn’t about points. It’s about people. Trust. Direction. Unity.
Rodgers is trying to unify the club — from dressing room to dugout, from directors’ box to North Curve.
And right now, despite the noise, despite the drama, and despite the headlines — **he’s winning that battle