Chris Sutton on Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic departure

Speaking after Celtic’s recent downturn in performances, the Sky Sports pundit expressed his belief that Rodgers will seek a move back to the English Premier League when his current deal comes to an end.

Rodgers has come under mounting pressure amid a string of disappointing results that are derailing the Hoops’ season both domestically and in Europe.

Growing fan discontent and ongoing dissatisfaction with the club’s summer transfer business have further fuelled doubts about his future as Celtic boss.

Although Sutton has previously been an admirer of Rodgers, he now suspects the manager’s time at Celtic could be coming to an end. The ex-Hoops striker maintains that Rodgers will aim to depart on his own terms – ideally after guiding the team to another league title.

Speaking via Sky Sports, Sutton said: “I mean, my view is Brendan will be off at the end of the season, whether it’s back to the Premier League or wherever. But when he does leave, he’ll want to leave on a high and want to leave with another league title. The team haven’t performed well.”

Sutton’s remarks echo the increasing feeling among supporters and pundits that Rodgers’ return to Celtic may be approaching its endpoint.

Despite the manager expressing a willingness to remain despite not being offered a new contract, uncertainty persists due to a lack of support in the boardroom and Celtic’s abysmal performances since the start of the season.

Rodgers seems certain on seeing out his ‘three years’ at the club. Whether he stays beyond his three years or leaves at the end of the season, delivering another league title will be at the front and centre of his mind.

Rodgers asked for quality additions to improve his squad in order to make an impact in European football, notably the Champions League. Brendan was denied that by a board who have ended up asset stripping the team only to lose out on £40m in Champions League revenue and now potentially millions in retail sales as The Celtic Fans Collective initiate their ‘Not Another Penny’ campaign which will play a prominent role tomorrow evening at Celtic Park as Celtic take on SK Sturm Graz in the Europa League.

Rodgers made it clear that without the ambition in the boardroom matching his own he would not stay beyond the end of his contract to be a maintenance manager. Instead he’s found himself in crisis management mode with a weakened and incomplete squad struggling to create chances or score goals.

That’s exactly why Chris Sutton is bang on in his assessment.  This will be Brendan’s last season as Celtic manager and he’ll be determined to leave with as many honours as possible.

Conor Spence

Celtic in the Thirties in Two Volumes – Brilliantly researched and written by . An unmissable addition to any Celtic bookshelf. Click on the image below to order your copies…