Brendan Rodgers’ future at Celtic has once again come under the microscope amid ongoing frustrations in the transfer market and question marks around squad depth heading into a crucial season.
But one pundit has poured cold water on any suggestion that he could walk away.
Rodgers has made it clear he expects support from the boardroom, particularly with the club juggling domestic dominance and European ambitions. With key injuries and a lack of proven reinforcements, pressure has grown on the Celtic hierarchy to act decisively before the transfer window shuts.
Despite some unease among supporters and outside noise about his long-term commitment, Rodgers himself stated at the end of last season that he’s here for the duration of his contract. That point has now been reinforced publicly by pundit Marvin Bartley.
He said: (Clyde 1 Superscoreboard), “No, I can’t see Brendan Rodgers walking at all. I think the back end of last season, he was asked about his future and he said he will 100% be here for the duration of his current contract, which ends at the end of this season.
“I spoke on the show on Sunday about all managers wanting to be backed, that they all want more players in, and Brendan Rodgers has earned the right to have that as well, and earned the right to come out in interviews and say what he did say because he’s been nothing but successful at Celtic Football Club.
“Yes, he’s brought in some players that have gone on to do better things, and he’s got some players that he’s brought in that are still at the football club at this moment in time.
“I think everyone can see it mathematically that they’re down on numbers, they’re down on quality unfortunately, the injury to Jota as well, but even if Celtic aren’t to go through in the Champions League and they have to drop down to the Europa League.
“There’s no chance for me, in my mind, that Brendan Rodgers will walk away from Celtic Football Club, no way.”
Rodgers remains under contract until the end of the current campaign, and publicly at least, there has been no indication from the manager himself that he’s considering anything else. His recent interviews have shown frustration, but not detachment.
The challenge now is whether the club can back him in the market before the window closes. Celtic have already offloaded a number of fringe players but remain light in key areas, particularly in attack and central defence.
In Europe, the margin for error is tight. A poor result in the Champions League qualifiers could test patience further, but Bartley believes the Irishman is up for the fight regardless of which competition Celtic end up in.
The message is clear: Rodgers is in for the long haul this season. Whether the club give him the tools to match his ambition remains the real question.
