Brendan Rodgers has hit back at Rangers manager Philippe Clement’s remarks about financial disparities ahead of this weekend’s Premier Sports Cup Final, asserting that Celtic’s success has been a product of competent management and sustainable growth rather than external investment.
Earlier in the week, Philippe Clement remarked that Celtic and Tottenham Hotspur operate at a financial level beyond Rangers’ reach. The Belgian manager highlighted the challenge Rangers face competing with clubs boasting significantly greater resources, particularly in the context of European competition and domestic rivalries. Clement’s comments were seen by many as a way to manage expectations and highlight the uphill battle Rangers face.
In a clear rebuttal, Rodgers took issue with the implication that Celtic’s success stems purely from financial advantage. The Celtic boss defended his club’s position, attributing their dominance to sound financial planning, shrewd transfer dealings, and consistent leadership from the top down. He didn’t shy away from referencing Rangers’ well-documented financial troubles in contrast to Celtic’s stability.
He said: [Sky Sports]
“Listen, Philippe will have whatever he feels he needs to look at within ourselves I’m only interested in Celtic, really. Where Celtic has come to over a number of years, this is a club that’s been organically grown. We haven’t been handed money.
“This isn’t something where we have had someone coming in from the Middle East and giving us a load of money. This is something that’s been grown.
“The leadership from the very top of this club to the bottom is why we have had the successes that we’ve had. We’ve grown that, developed that, and that has allowed us then to win. When you win, that brings more success.
“For us, that is all I’m interested in – the greater good of this team and the club. The club’s in a brilliant position, but it’s all been earned. It’s not been handed to us.
“Everyone has the possibility, certainly teams up towards the top, will have the possibility to earn the finances. And if they don’t, then okay. We have to worry about ourselves and that’s my only interest, really.”
