Paul Lambert Condemns “Criminal” Celtic Leaks as Rodgers Faces Undermining From Within: A Call for Unity Amid Growing Tensions at Parkhead

Tensions have been simmering at Celtic Park in recent weeks, but they reached boiling point when internal unrest spilled into the public domain — and now, club legend Paul Lambert has spoken out in fierce defence of manager Brendan Rodgers, blasting those responsible for leaking confidential information to the media.

The former Celtic captain, who made over 190 appearances for the club and was part of the iconic team that stopped Rangers from winning 10-in-a-row in 1998, didn’t mince his words in a heartfelt interview with the Sunday Mail. His message was clear: the act of undermining the manager through anonymous briefings is not only damaging — it is, in his words, “absolutely criminal.”

Lambert’s comments come in the wake of a storm surrounding Brendan Rodgers, who has found himself the subject of what many see as a coordinated whisper campaign from within the club’s own hierarchy. In a recent newspaper report, an unnamed Celtic source was quoted suggesting Rodgers was “trying to work his way out” of the club, and that he had caused friction internally with his public remarks — particularly around the summer transfer window.

The leak, which paints the manager as disingenuous and potentially disloyal, was met with a sharp and emotional response from Rodgers himself. The Northern Irishman, who returned to Celtic in the summer of 2023 after a trophy-laden first spell, branded the anonymous briefing as “cowardly” and demanded an internal investigation to uncover the source of the disloyalty.

In a club known for its storied history, passionate supporters, and strong internal culture, such public airing of dirty laundry is unusual — and, to many, deeply troubling. For Paul Lambert, a man who knows Celtic inside and out, the implications of such leaks go far beyond a single incident. They strike at the very fabric of what the club stands for.

“I think the leaks are a nonsense,” Lambert said. “Whoever or whatever’s happened — it is absolutely criminal. Everybody has to stick together — the fans, the players, the team, manager, board. That’s the only way you have success.”

These words come from a man who has been in the dressing room, walked through the pressure-cooker environment of Old Firm derbies, lifted trophies, and led by example during some of Celtic’s most defining moments. Lambert knows that unity isn’t just a buzzword at a club like Celtic — it’s a necessity. The club’s most successful periods have come when all parts of the organisation are aligned: when the board, management, players, and supporters move in the same direction.

“If you’re in sync and you’re aligned with everything then you’ll not go too far wrong because they’re a powerful club, Celtic. They’re so much stronger together than what they are separated.”

Lambert’s frustration is understandable. In recent months, Celtic fans have been vocal about their disappointment with the club’s summer transfer window, believing the board failed to adequately strengthen the squad for domestic dominance and a return to European competitiveness. While Lambert acknowledged those concerns, he urged caution and reminded fans that the inner workings of transfer dealings are often far more complex than they appear on the surface.

“I know the disappointment of the transfer window,” he said. “Sometimes you go for players that you can’t get, sometimes they’re overpriced or those sorts of things. But you never really know, unless you’re in the crux of it, what’s happening behind the scenes.”

Still, Lambert didn’t attempt to paper over the seriousness of the leaks. He made it crystal clear that such behaviour — whether it comes from the boardroom or any other internal figure — is wholly unacceptable and threatens the club’s integrity and collective spirit.

“If there is that kind of leaking coming out, then it’s really, really poor. It doesn’t matter who it is. It’s poor because the club is one, and everybody’s one. It’s a really brilliant club and you certainly don’t want any leaks like that to happen.”

Rodgers’ return to Celtic was met with a mixture of optimism and skepticism from sections of the fanbase. His previous departure to Leicester City in 2019, mid-season, left a sour taste for some supporters who felt abandoned. However, since his return, he has made consistent efforts to rebuild trust — not only with fans but also within the club’s footballing structure.

Rodgers has spoken frequently about culture, standards, and long-term planning. He has also challenged the club’s recruitment policies and insisted on a higher level of support if Celtic are to make meaningful strides in European competition. This, some believe, has created friction with senior figures at the top of the club — and may even be the motivation behind the anonymous leaks.

Whether or not Rodgers’ critics within the club are justified in their frustrations, few in the Celtic community believe briefing against the manager through the press is an acceptable course of action. Lambert certainly doesn’t — and his defence of Rodgers is also a defence of Celtic’s core values.

“It’s not about siding with a manager or a board,” Lambert might as well be saying between the lines. “It’s about standing up for the club and protecting its unity.”

Despite the current atmosphere of distrust, Lambert remains optimistic that this moment of turmoil won’t lead to deep or lasting divisions among the fanbase. His experience tells him that Celtic’s supporters are resilient, loyal, and ultimately focused on backing the team on the pitch — even when tensions off it are high.

“I’m pretty sure, knowing the Celtic support and the way they are and the club being the way it is, everyone will pull together and they’ll be stronger. I don’t have any worries about the club having a massive divide.”

In an era when many top clubs across Europe are struggling to maintain internal cohesion — where boardroom politics often clash with footballing philosophy — Celtic’s situation is far from unique. But what makes it particularly disappointing, especially to figures like Lambert, is that it could have been avoided. Open dialogue behind closed doors, honesty, and collective accountability are what’s needed — not veiled attacks or public infighting.

With the season well underway, Rodgers and his players now face the challenge of staying focused despite the noise swirling around them. They remain in a domestic title race and have European fixtures to contend with. The fans, too, will be asked to keep supporting the team even as questions continue to mount about the leadership at the top.

But perhaps the bigger question Celtic now faces is not about transfers, results, or tactics — but about culture. Can the club rediscover the unity that defined it during its most successful eras? Can it rebuild trust between its key stakeholders? And will those responsible for undermining that unity be held accountable?

Paul Lambert, for one, believes that despite this moment of unrest, the club’s identity is strong enough to endure.

“It’s a really brilliant club,” he said. “And they’ll come through this stronger — but only if everyone sticks together.”

It’s a message worth listening to. Because if Celtic wants to move forward — in Scotland and in Europe — it must first look inward, heal its fractures, and remember that its greatest strength has always been its unity.