Celtic

Neil McCann thinks Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers said something which impacted Rangers last weekend

Published

7 months ago

April 17, 2024

Celtic manager, Brendan Rodgers, is one of the most experienced managers in the Scottish Premiership.

As well as winning two trebles at Celtic, Rodgers guided Swansea City into the EPL. And after a year of managing The Swans, he took over at Anfield and took Liverpool to within a whisker of the Premier League title.

An FA Cup and Community Shield win at Leicester City was also followed up by taking The Foxes to the semi-final of the Europa Conference League.

So when it comes to experience in the game, Celtic have one of the best. And that was on show on Saturday after Celtic’s win over St Mirren.

Rodgers playing ‘psychological warfare’ with Rangers

We told earlier this week how Rodgers put pressure on Rangers with his post-match Celtic comments after the St Mirren win.

Pat Nevin noted how the Celtic manager turned the screw on his city rivals and this is a view now shared by former Rangers striker, Neil McCann.

McCann said [Scottish Football Podcast], “I did the games at the weekend and I thought Brendan Rodgers’ post-match presser, his interview was something of the psychology element about it.

“You know he was saying, ‘We’re Celtic, this is when we come alive.’

“And it was almost as if you read between the lines, that’s what I did, I looked at it and I thought, ‘He’s just applying a bit of gentle pressure that they [Rangers] will hear.’

“Now whether they don’t watch highlights or they don’t read papers or whatever I think they will be generally aware of comments.

“And it’s just an application of psychological warfare that happens at this time of the season particularly when the two sides are so close together.”

Rodgers has pulled on all his managerial experience this season to guide Celtic to the top of the table. Tinkering with the squad to cope with injury issues, rallying the fans and calling out the media narrative surrounding the club, the Hoops gaffer has been on top of his game when the pressure has been on.

And after Nevin and McCann’s comments, Rodgers pulled a managerial masterstroke last weekend that could have turned the title in Celtic’s favour without doing anything on the park.

Celtic fan dies ahead of Parkhead clash as tributes paid to ‘fierce’ club stalwart

Tributes have been paid to a Celtic fan who tragically died before their match against St Mirren.

Emergency services raced to the Glasgow stadium at around 2.45pm on Saturday after receiving a report of concern for a woman in the toilets. Police confirmed a 54-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene.

Alison McGoff has been named locally as the woman who sadly passed away.

Tributes were left online for the popular Celtic fan and political campaigner.

Police have confirmed that her death is not being treated as suspicious.

St Margaret’s Celtic Supporters Club paid tribute to their member, their post read: “Sadly one of our members Alison McGoff passed away at Celtic Park yesterday. A sad day for our club. Alison you will be missed may you RIP.”

MP Steven Bonnar paid tribute to Alison, after the pair had campaigned together during the 2014 referendum.

He said: “Rest In Peace, Alison McGoff. We campaigned for Independence together in 2014 and Alison was a polling agent for me in 2019. In so many respects she was a kindred spirit. May she rest in eternal peace.

“Though she be but little, she is fierce”

Drew Quinn said: “Life will never be the same. I loved you first. I love you still. I love you forever.”

Celtic confirmed the tragedy and sent their ‘most sincere condolences’ to the family.

They said: “We regret to confirm that tragically, a 54-year old woman died suddenly at Celtic Park prior to yesterday’s match.

“Her next of kin have been informed and we would like to extend our most sincere condolences to her family. Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are very much with them following this tragic incident.

“Celtic will provide all necessary support we can at this time.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We were made aware of concern for a woman within toilets at Celtic Park in Glasgow around 2.45pm on Saturday, April 13.

“Emergency services attended but the 54-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene.

“The death is not being treated as suspicious and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.”

Celtic insider reveals bargain Adam Idah permanent transfer fee

It would be a ‘crying shame’ if Celtic didn’t buy Adam Idah this summer, according to Chris Sutton.

The striker – who ex-Celts hero Sutton feels was terribly unlucky not to be the derby winner last weekend – has six goals in just nine games for Brendan Rodgers’ side.

The Republic of Ireland international has made an impressive impact on the team since his January loan arrival from Norwich City.

And Sutton has declared that a £3m offer should be enough to tempt another of his former sides into selling the 23-year-old to the Glasgow giants.

He wrote in his Daily Record column: “It’s a shame to have this pitch and VAR nonsense on the back of last weekend, where Scottish football was shown in the best possible light.

“The Old Firm game was a tremendous showcase – then days later it’s back to the circus. It’s drama we want, not chaos. Hopefully there will be more of the former this weekend and none of the latter.

“The season is now at the crucial stage and there can be no slip-ups in the title race. It will be interesting to see if Celtic kick on now with the likes of Callum McGregor and Reo Hatate coming back to fitness.

“The one thing you noticed last weekend was the bench was much stronger than it has been. You look at the impact Adam Idah had when he came on. There’s an argument he should have been introduced sooner, but he put himself about and was unlucky not to be the match winner.

“I thought some of the criticism of Jack Butland was harsh as it was a tremendous finish from the Irishman for the third goal, through the defender and right down low towards the keeper’s leg. If it wasn’t for Rabbi Matondo’s sublime equaliser, Idah would have gone down as an Old Firm hero.

“As it was, he has only added to his case for a permanent transfer this summer. That’s six goals in just nine games for Idah – and only six starts– and I’m sure Norwich City fans will be wondering where it’s come from.

“I don’t. I’ve always said he has the ability and sometimes it just needs a change of scenery for a player to spark into life. By all accounts, Idah was the one who really pushed for the move to Celtic and he’s really grabbed his chance. It wasn’t easy when he came in but he’s won over a lot of supporters.

“There was some talk when he arrived that it would cost around £3m to get him on a permanent deal and if that’s the figure this summer, it would be an absolute steal. Idah has shown he can bring something different to the attack. Kyogo will always be the main man when fit, but it’s important to have a different option in certain games or coming off the bench.

“When you consider some of the cash spent on strikers at Celtic in recent years, that would be small change to land a player who still has more developing to do and plenty of potential. If Idah does the business in the remainder of the campaign it would be a crying shame not to buy him.”

20 rumoured Rangers and Celtic summer transfer targets so far including Liverpool and Wolves stars

Rangers and Celtic have already been linked with a wide range of stars as the summer transfer window closes in.

Brendan Rodgers and Philippe Clement’s side are neck and neck in this season’s Premiership title race. Next campaign will likely be no different but if either side wants to steal a march, they may need to invest in their playing squad.

Since the close of the January window, rumours have been flying, with Jefte one star Rangers are already said to be after following a failed winter pursuit. But he is just one of many players who have been reported as in the sights of both the Light Blues and Celtic.

To meet our list, the player must have been reported as a target, or they or a manager must have addressed links to either Rangers or Celtic. In the case of Anwar El Ghazi and Oli McBurnie, declarations of wanting to play for either club are also accepted. Pundit suggestions – like Motherwell’s Lennon Miller – will not be counted. So let’s see who is involved