‘I tell you who might suit them — what about Brendan at Tottenham?’
And so it begins… with some mischief from a Rangers legend who will no doubt tout Celtic’s current manager for every potential job going in the English Premier League over the coming weeks and months.
It was on talkSPORT’s Breakfast show on Wednesday morning that Ally McCoist threw Brendan Rodgers’ name in the ring to replace Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham.
The night before, it had been roundly reported that even a Europa League triumph might not be enough to save the Aussie’s job just two years after he swapped Parkhead for the bright lights of England’s top flight.
Angeball burst some time ago after what felt like an extended English love-in for the inflexible Antipodean. A league season that sees Spurs languishing in 16th position, with 18 defeats from 33 games, appears to have sealed his fate.
Postecoglou — witty when winning, dour in defeat — never really had the players at Spurs to carry out his footballing philosophy successfully. Celtic fans had a bitter taste of that when he led them into the Champions League and refused to adopt a Plan B, leaving them without a win in the 2022-23 group stage.
Brendan Rodgers will continue to be linked with moves for as long as he is running riot at Celtic
Ally McCoist has never been slow to wind up Celtic fans… but he has a point regarding Rodgers
Ange Postecoglou is expected to leave Spurs regardless of potential Conference League glory
Perhaps the Tottenham faithful would scoff at the suggestion of hiring a second successive Celtic boss, but at least Rodgers learned from the 7-1 Champions League hammering his side endured at the hands of Borussia Dortmund earlier this season. A more pragmatic approach — despite some early protests about whether or not it was required — did the Parkhead club no harm as they made it through the league stage.
Indeed, it is perhaps the progress made in Europe this season that will have impressed potential suitors more than what has become a laboured trudge to another likely Treble.
While Rodgers talks about making ‘history’, it was perhaps more pertinent that he referenced his previous departure from Parkhead, for Leicester, in the midst of another Treble-winning season, one which was eventually sealed by his replacement Neil Lennon.
Rodgers insists he remains committed to Celtic and has another year of his contract to run. Who knows, he might even sign an extension this summer, although that wouldn’t necessarily guarantee a lengthy stay.
The Northern Irishman speaks about improvement and building a squad capable of going further in Europe. Yet, while you would not expect him to say anything different, it’s just not terribly plausible.
The truth remains that Celtic are a selling club. They cash in on their talent at regular intervals. The proof is there for all to see and tends to be hailed in every Annual Report and financial statement.
They also don’t prioritise youth development. Again, it’s not really up for debate. Just take a look at their squad. They had three Scots in the starting XI against St Johnstone in last Sunday’s Scottish Cup semi-final win over St Johnstone, and that was on a good day. The youngest, Greg Taylor, is 27.
This isn’t a criticism of Celtic PLC. They are a very successful business. They dominate their market and have money in the bank.
Yet, their fiscal strategy does not lend itself to empire building. Not of the kind that would enable Rodgers to do something truly meaningful in Europe. And that’s the rub.
Rodgers is now 52 years old. He came within a whisker of winning the English Premier League with Liverpool. He surely still harbours bigger ambitions than racking up trophies or even Trebles in Scotland?
He could well be tempted at having another tilt at the title down south or moving to a club with a Champions League pedigree.
Spurs, of course, believe they can tick both those boxes, despite their travails this season. Rodgers might not necessarily agree.
What is undeniable is that the Celtic boss has an appealing CV and will be continually linked to other jobs, if not by McCoist then certainly by others.
Rodgers has also been linked with Leeds, should the newly-promoted club axe Daniel Farke
The speculation over his future will continue during his second spell at Parkhead, however long it lasts, because — like it or not — he has ‘completed’ Scottish football. And if he sees off Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup final, another Treble would merely confirm that.
Would he be inspired by a rejuvenated Rangers, if they were to finally get their act together? Would a proper title challenge keep him — and his players — motivated? Perhaps but it seems unlikely.
Are Celtic likely to improve on their performance in this year’s Champions League? Again, perhaps. But, again, unlikely.
So, what does happen next?
Well, Rodgers has never seemed short of belief in himself. He’s never slow in telling you the work he has done with players and how it has paid off.
He insists Celtic write their own story and that they are in control of their own narrative.
It will be intriguing to see what the manager decides is the setting for the next chapter of his own colourful tale.
