In the wake of Brendan Rodgers’ return to Celtic, former Celtic Park hero Charlie Nicholas has expressed his astonishment at the lengths the club’s majority shareholder, Dermot Desmond, has gone to in order to secure Rodgers’ services.

Nicholas’ comments, published in the Scottish Daily Express, suggest that the club’s actions may have inadvertently positioned Rodgers as a figure larger than the club itself.

Rodgers, who left Celtic for Leicester amidst controversy four years ago, has been offered a record-breaking contract to return to the Glasgow-based club. The contract includes a £3m salary and a staggering £30m transfer budget. However, Rodgers’ previous departure had left a bitter taste in the mouths of many Celtic fans, causing a divide in the fanbase’s reception of his return.

Nicholas argues that the board’s actions in reappointing Rodgers may have inadvertently sent a message that the Northern Irishman is bigger than the club. He further suggests that the sudden departure of Ange Postecoglou, who left Celtic for Tottenham after two years, may have rattled Desmond to the point of seeking solace in a familiar face.

He also criticised Dermot Desmond’s presence at games, claiming he’s only in attendance if he’s watching Celtic winning a trophy.

He wrote:

“We all hear the cliche that no-one is bigger than the club.

“But it seems that doesn’t apply to Brendan Rodgers.

“Celtic have bent over backwards to lure back the man who broke their hearts just over four years ago which led to that banner ‘You traded mediocrity for immortality, never a Celt always a fraud’.

“Dermot Desmond certainly looks as if he has forgiven Rodgers as he moved heaven and earth to get him back from the moment Ange Postecoglou jumped ship for the bright lights of London.

“I have an issue with Desmond. He’s never at any games unless the club is going to lift some silverware. It doesn’t sit well with me.

“He had a face like thunder at the Scottish Cup final because he knew Postecoglou was leaving for Tottenham. He doesn’t appear to react well when someone lets him down. He employed Postecoglou on big money to run the football side – it was a new Celtic and this was how things were going to be done.

“Yet, all that has been ripped up and he has gone back for old flame Rodgers. I think Postecoglou got to him.

“I don’t have a problem with reappointing Rodgers. Football-wise it is the right move but it just leaves a bad taste in my mouth.”