Brendan Rodgers will be left fuming once more after the Celtic starting XI for Sunday’s Glasgow derby was leaked before official confirmation, despite his repeated warnings throughout the season.
The manager has been vocal in his frustration over internal leaks, calling out those responsible for compromising his tactical plans. And yet, ahead of one of the biggest fixtures in the calendar, the same issue has reared its head again.
After a brief lull, team news once again appeared online before the club’s official announcement. This time, the leak accurately revealed James Forrest would be starting in place of Nicolas Kuhn, who had been carrying a slight knock in the build-up to the game.
Rodgers has made his stance clear in recent months, stating: “It might feel great for someone’s ego to put it out and pass it on to other people, but I can tell you as a manager that I’ve had that before with other teams. When I’ve gotten to know about it, it has really, really helped me in my preparation.”
He continued: “So, whoever is putting it out, if it’s someone from Celtic, you’re not a Celtic supporter, because you’re not helping Celtic. It’s as simple as that.”
Despite these firm words, the leaks continue, handing opposition teams a potential edge just hours before kick-off. Even minor adjustments, like the switch from Kuhn to Forrest, can prompt a rethink from rival managers, especially in a fixture as intense and tactically tight as the Glasgow derby.
CeltsAreHere received details of the team ahead of the official release but chose not to publish out of respect for competitive integrity. Sharing such privileged information, especially before a match of this magnitude, only serves to harm Celtic’s preparations and hand an unnecessary advantage to the opposition.
Outlets, like the Daily Record, ran with the team.
Rodgers was already determined to trace the source of the leaks earlier this season. After this latest breach, expect that determination to intensify. Whoever is responsible is undermining the manager, the team, and the club, and it’s a situation that simply cannot be allowed to continue.
