Celtic’s problems this season have been painfully obvious and well documented, both by the media and by the fans who have followed the club closely for decades. What was once a symbol of dominance in Scottish football now looks like a team struggling to find its way amidst turmoil and confusion. The issues affecting the Hoops go far beyond just what happens during the 90 minutes on the pitch. Instead, they are rooted in a broader crisis of leadership, poor decision-making in recruitment, and a fractured club culture that has undermined the unity so crucial to sustained success.
The summer transfer window was the first major indicator that something was awry. A club like Celtic, which has regularly competed in Europe and dominated domestically, cannot afford to enter a new season with glaring gaps in the squad. Yet, the summer of 2025 saw key players depart—some through necessity, others perhaps due to dissatisfaction or better opportunities elsewhere—and crucially, they were not adequately replaced. Brendan Rodgers, an experienced manager who has previously overseen successful campaigns at Celtic, was vocal in his calls for reinforcements. He highlighted the need to add quality and depth to a squad that was showing signs of aging and fatigue.
However, the board’s response was slow and insufficient. Whether due to budget constraints, misjudgments in recruitment strategy, or internal disagreements, the club failed to deliver the type of players that Rodgers demanded. This failure to reinforce the squad properly led to a significant drop in quality on the pitch, and with it, a loss of confidence within the team.
Michael Stewart, a respected pundit and former player, has touched on the deeper issue that lies behind these recruitment problems: the so-called “civil war” between certain members of the board and Brendan Rodgers. This conflict is not just a minor disagreement—it appears to be a power struggle that has manifested in public statements and behind-the-scenes briefings against the manager. Stewart’s comments on The Scottish Football Social Club clearly indicate that this internal discord is having a toxic effect on the club’s atmosphere.
The role of the board in any football club is to provide clear leadership, stability, and support to the manager and players. When those tasked with running the club are at odds with the manager, it creates a ripple effect that impacts every level—from staff morale to player performances. The public airing of grievances and “veiled comments” from both sides signal a breakdown in trust and communication that would be damaging in any environment, let alone one as high-pressure as professional football.
Rodgers has been consistent in his message about the importance of everyone pulling together—about the need for “synergy” within the club. Unfortunately, what the fans and observers are seeing is the exact opposite: factions within the club working at cross purposes. The negative impact on the pitch is clear. Celtic’s shock elimination from the Champions League at the hands of Kairat Almaty, a relatively unknown club from Kazakhstan, was a huge embarrassment and a sign that Celtic’s competitiveness on the European stage has sharply diminished. The follow-up poor performances in the Europa League, including a disappointing loss to SC Braga at home, have only deepened the sense of crisis.
Stewart’s attribution of blame to both “some of the board and the manager” can be seen as an attempt to paint a complete picture, but it risks unfairly implicating Rodgers to some degree. The reality is that Rodgers has been upfront and transparent about what he needs to improve the squad. His frustrations, aired publicly, were a cry for help rather than a breakdown in professionalism. It was individuals within the club’s leadership who breached confidentiality and escalated tensions by going behind his back to the media. This lack of loyalty and cohesion at the top level has contributed significantly to the overall instability.
Fans have been left caught in the middle of this conflict. Celtic supporters are some of the most passionate and dedicated in football, and they expect their club to be a beacon of ambition, pride, and success. The current state of affairs—characterized by public disputes, lack of clear leadership, and poor results—is unacceptable to them. They want answers, they want transparency, and above all, they want the club to be united behind a common goal.
The pressure on the board to act decisively is mounting. The fans’ trust in the hierarchy is eroding quickly, and if the leadership fails to address the internal conflicts and commit fully to supporting the manager, the club risks a prolonged period of decline. Celtic’s rich history and tradition mean that failure is not just a sporting issue; it’s a matter of identity. The Hoops are not just a football team—they represent a community, a culture, and a legacy. The current turmoil threatens to damage all of that.
Moreover, the consequences of poor leadership and internal conflict extend beyond the immediate season. If the club cannot regain stability soon, it will face difficulties attracting top talent in the future, both in terms of players and managerial staff. Ambitious players want to join clubs where they can feel part of a united and forward-thinking project. Likewise, managers want assurance that they will receive the backing they need. The longer the civil war persists, the harder it will be for Celtic to reverse this downward spiral.
Looking back, Celtic has enjoyed remarkable success in recent years, with multiple league titles and memorable European nights. Yet, this season highlights how fragile success can be when the foundations are shaky. Football clubs must balance on-pitch performance with strong governance and clear communication. When these elements are misaligned, the club suffers.
In conclusion, Celtic’s struggles this season are symptomatic of deeper, systemic issues within the club. While poor recruitment has been a visible symptom, the underlying causes are internal discord and fractured leadership. Michael Stewart’s description of a “civil war” is apt; a club divided at the top cannot expect to perform as a cohesive unit on the pitch. Brendan Rodgers, despite the criticism, has been a victim of this instability rather than a cause.
For Celtic to return to the heights their fans expect, the board must take responsibility and act with transparency and unity. They need to provide Rodgers with the resources and support necessary to rebuild the squad, restore trust within the club, and foster a positive environment where everyone truly is pulling in the same direction. Only then can Celtic hope to reclaim their place not just as Scottish champions but as a respected force in European football.