Brendan Rodgers had a short but none too subtle response to Barry Ferguson’s latest outburst this week. But his is just the latest in a long line of withering putdowns from Celtic managers when our would-be rivals get ideas above their station.
Not How I Expect a Player to Behave
Barry Ferguson foolishly played to the gallery once again this week, with his comment that he “didn’t have a problem” with Vaclav Cerny spraying water onto Celtic fans in the aftermath of Rangers winning goal.
Brendan Rodgers’ response, when asked about this was short and showed the one thing the Rangers manager has yet to show in his managerial career: maturity.
Rodgers said: “I certainly wouldn’t want my players to do it. In the main, in the games I’ve been involved in, the players do behave in a certain manner. It’s about respect.”
In a sly dig at his fledgling rival, he added: “It works both ways. There’s a lot that comes from the stands to coaches, managers and players.”
No Tantrums, No Goading, Just Facts
Rodgers’ attitude to the whole thing runs completely counter to Ferguson’s approach at Rangers. Brendan showed humility, reflecting on the defeat and how Celtic started too slowly.
Meanwhile, Rangers and their various media cheerleaders just can’t help themselves. All the talk has been of the start of a revival, and demands that Ferguson get the job full-time.
I really hope those demands are met, because I doubt he’d last until Christmas if that happens.
The Realities of This So-Called Rivalry
Rangers haven’t beaten Celtic in a meaningful game for several years. That is the harsh reality of it. They are not our rivals. At best, they are a temporary, minor annoyance.
Their two recent victories have highlighted deficiencies in Celtic’s game, and also perhaps a lack of depth in our squad.
The difference is, we have the money and the resources to rectify that this summer. And in Brendan Rodgers we have a coach who actually knows how to work with high level players, and get the best out of them.
“Fight! Fight! Fight!” Approach will Only Get You So Far
Meanwhile, Ferguson will continue to pander to the lowest common denominator with all his “blood and snotters” talk.
And the Ibrox loyal, in the stands and the press box, will continue to lap it up. A year from now, they’ll still be no closer to Celtic, whether this phantom American takeover materializes or not.
Expect the disrespect to continue and expect Celtic and Brendan Rodgers to continue to do their talking where it matters: on the pitch, in games that actually determine where the trophies go at the end of the season.
Football has Moved on, Rangers Haven’t
There was a time when a manager of Ferguson’s brashness and undeniable tenacity could have done something at a club like Rangers.
Afterall, the likes of Graeme Souness built entire careers on this kind of goading and disrespect towards opponents.
The difference is, whatever you may think of the man personally, Souness undoubtedly had some managerial ability to back it up.
In Barry Ferguson Rangers have, at best, a Poundland version of this same archetype. Plenty of mouth, but very little to actually show for all that sh*t-talking.
At worst, they have a wee ned with dangerous delusions about his own managerial adequacy.
Brendan Rodgers Won’t be Here Forever, But the Culture Will Continue
At the time of writing, Brendan Rodgers still has more than a year to go on his current contract. I hope that extension talks will begin in the summer.
But even if they don’t, ultimately it doesn’t matter. Celtic will find someone as good, if not better. We have Champions League, or worst-case scenario Europa League football to offer for the next few years.
We offer the perfect platform for any ambitious young manager looking to make a name for himself, or even someone looking to rejuvenate their career after a bump in the road.
After all, that is the very scenario that brought Brendan Rodgers back to us.
Unlike Rangers, Celtic Fans Don’t Care Who the Manager Supports
Finally, I think this is the fundamental difference between Celtic and Rangers. Celtic are not afraid to cast the net far and wide for a suitable manager.
Would Rangers have ever even considered the likes of Wim Jansen or Ange Postecoglou, both recruited out of the J-League? No chance.
It’s All About Levels and Expectations
Faced with such a choice, Rangers fans would demand someone “staunch”, who understands their “history and culture”. All 13 years of it!
That is small thinking, from a small club, with small-minded fans.
That is why we will always be better than them. The odd win and there, maybe an occasional cup or championship is the best for the can hope for, and it is the worst Celtic will have to endure.
The contrasting attitudes from our managers this week only underscore this matter of undeniable fact. We are better than them, where it counts, and we always will be.