FORMER Celtic striker Chris Sutton has questioned the point of the backlash against Brendan Rodgers’ return to Celtic.
Sutton, who was vocal in his criticism of Rodgers’ abrupt departure in February 2019, has urged fans to look forward and unite behind the new manager.
Rodgers’ sudden exit in 2019, with Celtic on course for a historic treble treble, sparked outrage among a section of the Hoops’ supporters.
However, Sutton argues that dwelling on the past serves no purpose and that the focus should now be on the future and the Celtic fans should unite. [Daily Record]
“It looks like not everyone is fully on board with Brendan Rodgers coming back to Celtic when you look at the snippy response from the Green Brigade.
“They are not shy about coming forward and voicing their opinions and reappointing the former manager seems to have gone down like a lead balloon with some of them. They’ve made their feelings known – and they can do what they like – but I will ask them this: what is the point?
“What are they going to achieve with negativity at a time when the club would be pulling together after Ange Postecoglou’s departure?”
“I just don’t get the point of backlash. It was okay to be critical when Rodgers departed last time. Listen, I was critical as well and stand by that criticism.
“But we are four years on. Is Rodgers to be castigated from now until the end of time? Is he to be publicly flogged forever more? What do these fans want?
“It’s taken huge balls to come back to Celtic this soon. It would have been far easier for him to keep his distance and if he really wanted another shot in the hotseat, do it years down the line. Instead, he’s taken the challenge and the fans should at least accept it and look forward to an exciting future.”
Sutton also dismissed calls for Rodgers to apologise for his departure.
“Rodgers will face the media and the fans and I’ve heard some people saying he should apologise. Give me a break.
“We know the way he left wasn’t great, with the side in the hunt for a treble, but Neil Lennon managed to finish it off. Rodgers can’t be held accountable for the failure to win 10-in-a-row – it was two years down the line, for goodness sake.”
Despite the controversy surrounding his return, Sutton is confident that Rodgers’ proven track record of improving players will be a significant asset for Celtic. He cited the examples of Kieran Tierney, Scott Brown, Stuart Armstrong, and Callum McGregor, who all improved significantly under Rodgers’ guidance.
“You only have to look at his track record of improving players. Rodgers took some mild flak about some of his recruitment, along with talent spotter Lee Congerton, but there is absolute no doubt about his abilities as a coach.
“Kieran Tierney, Scott Brown, Stuart Armstrong, Callum McGregor – they were all at the club when he arrived, but Rodgers helped them take their games to another level. The likes of Reo Hatate, Matt O’Riley, Jota and others should be thrilled about the prospect of working under the new boss.”
