Image source, SNSBrendan Rodgers omitted chairman Peter Lawwell from his comments
Brendan Rodgers will only extend his contract as Celtic manager if real changes are made, podcaster Paul John Dykes believes.
The Northern Irishman said at Friday's pre-match media conference that he would "love to stay" with the Scottish champions beyond the end of contract next summer.
"I would be delighted if Rodgers could stay at the football club, but I do get a sense that he will only stay if changes happen behind the scenes," Dykes said.
"He's obviously deeply unhappy at many things that have gone on, but that for me is a great message to the fans.
"He is talking the fans' language, whereas the board members who have been highlighted by the fan groups are certainly on the other side of that fence."
Celtic issued a statement in reaction to a letter of protest from the fans over the club's summer transfer business and Dykes thinks it mirrors what happened at the end of Rodgers' first term as Celtic manager.
"That was dreadful last week and this obviously followed the fan letter, the open letter, then we get this insider telling tales out of school about Rodgers, not for the first time," he said.
"It happened first time round as well. Whether or not it's the same person, who knows, but it certainly did happen the last time.
"The press conference was one that Rodgers got an opportunity to respond to everything that's been happening, be that the statement from the club, the open letter from the fans.
"He chooses his words very, very wisely, doesn't he, and very carefully, and he talked up certain board members, and the ones that he topped up were, of course, Dermot Desmond, Michael Nicholson and Chris Mackay. So you can make of that what you will."
Image source, SNSBrendan Rodgers had expected more backing from Celtic's board
Celtic podcaster Paul John Dykes believes the planned protest for Sunday's match against Kilmarnock, where fans will boycott the first 12 minutes of the game, is "not the only thing that's going to happen" as fans voice their disappointment at the Scottish champions' board.
Dykes says that, although one of the main issues is the lack of summer signings, the protest has been planned after a "lack of communication" with the club's support.
"It's a culmination of a number of issues over a number of years, really," Dykes said.
"When you look at the fact that we have failed to qualify in the Champions League seven out of nine times - five times in a row, in actual fact - and it's due to the fact that we're not prepared.
"We're never prepared going into these games. You should be buying players several transfer windows before the qualifier comes in. We were not prepared for it.
"A lot of the reaction to the defeat was around the fact that Celtic should have had enough to beat Kairat Almaty.
"The problem that we have with that is, seven months ago, we were competing and going toe-to-toe with Bayern Munich and, after that game, Brendan Rodgers told everybody in the press conferences what he needed.
"He needed quality, he needed people to come in and replace the players that we had lost. We're talking Kyogo Furuhashi here, we have since lost Jota through injury, and also Nicolas Kuhn.
"None of these players have been replaced and we lacked the quality we needed. He felt empty, the fan base felt empty, but Celtic's bank account certainly wasn't empty.
"The communication is virtually zero. It's inadequate - the communication between the football club and the fan base.
"This action on Sunday, this followed a survey amongst fans, which got around 40,000 responses, and also an open letter, which had over 420 fan groups. All the major affiliations and associations are on this letter.
"It's not knee-jerk. It's been planned out. This is a bold, visual and vocal protest. It's not the only thing that's going to happen, but it is a start."
Former Celtic director Brian Dempsey, who was pivotal in saving the Scottish champions in 1994, is saddened to see the current club hierarchy lose the goodwill of the fans and says there is an urgent need is to convince supporters they do have ambition. (Sunday Mail), external
Celtic face a battle to retain Brendan Rodgers beyond this season with clubs across England and Europe interested in the 52-year-old manager, who is well into the final year of his contract. (Football Insider), external
Former Celtic centre-half Gustaf Lagerbielke is at the centre of a bizarre episode after he was officially declared as a missing person by a Dutch council despite sealing a £2.5 m summer transfer to Braga in Portugal. (Sunday Mail), external
Read Sunday's Scottish Gossip in full.
Image source, SNSBrian Dempsey helped attract major shareholder Dermot Desmond to Celtic
Image source, SNSCeltic manager Brendan Rodgers has confirmed striker Kelechi Iheanacho will be ready to face Kilmarnock on Sunday and is capable of "special moments" for his new side.
The Nigeria international joined as a free agent after deadline day following his release from Sevilla.
"Yeah, he'll be available," said Rodgers, who managed the player at Leicester. "Kels was a player that trained every day and was always available. And he has real special moments in games.
"With the love he'll feel here, he can be a real exciting talent for us. And I really hope he does that because he's got big qualities and he's a good guy."
Rodgers has also said he understands the fans' frustrations ahead of their planned protest at Rugby Park but has urged everyone connected with the club to "become one".
The away fans are planning to boycott the opening 12 minutes in an attempt to make clear their anger towards the club's board.
"I can't tell them how to feel, I can't tell them what to do," said Rodgers.
"I understand the frustration, but I also know that the quicker we can become one and become together, that's where the strength lies in Celtic.
"Everyone together, fighting for the one cause, that's the real power of Celtic and I never want that to be broken, and for other people and clubs to look on us in any way other than together.
"Of course, there is that frustration but what makes this club unique is the passion and the commitment which will sometimes bring these things to the boil.
"But I'm pretty sure the guys behind the scenes on our board won't want this either and we hope we can find a solution that gets everyone reconnected again."
Image source, SNSKilmarnock have a couple of players to assess, but manager Stuart Kettlewell does not expect the numbers available for the game against Motherwell just before the international break to change.
New Celtic signings Sebastian Tounekti, the winger signed from Hammarby, and former Sevilla striker Kelechi Iheanacho are in contention for debuts, while Scotland left-back Kieran Tierney is expected to be fit after withdrawing from international duty with an injury.
But defenders Anthony Ralston, Auston Trusty and Alistair Johnston, plus winger Jota, miss out again.
Celtic have jumped to the front of the queue ahead of Hearts and plenty of other European clubs to land Kazakhstan winger Galymzhan Kenzhebek, the 22-year-old who plays for homeland club Yelimay Semey but is out of contract at the end of this year, according to reports in the former Soviet nation. (The Herald), external
Clubs interested in want-away Japan forward Daizen Maeda during the summer transfer window are likely to return in January, but Celtic cannot afford to lose the 27-year-old after missing out on a number of striking targets. (Football Insider), external
Celtic-linked Kasper Dolberg says it was an easy decision to choose a return to Ajax this summer from Anderlecht as the Dutch club will always be special to the 27-year-old striker. (De Telegraaf via The National), external
Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full.
George O'Neill
BBC Sport Scotland
Image source, SNSCeltic manager Brendan Rodgers has been talking to the media before his side's Scottish Premiership trip to Kilmarnock on Sunday.
Here are the best bits from his news conference:
Rodgers won't dwell on the transfer window now that it has closed, but wouldn't hide his disappointment at how it panned out: "We have to accept and take responsibility that the window wasn't what we wanted."
Rodgers insists he has never been more determined to succeed this season than now - "it's my duty".
Says he totally understands fan frustration because "we were all frustrated". Adds that supporters "keep us honest, they keep us driving and pushing".
The Northern Irishman says a similar failure in terms of transfers caused him to leave the club in 2019, but insists he won't walk out this time. On how he felt at the end of the window, Rodgers says: "It didn't make me think of walking way, I just felt empty, if I'm honest."
When asked about tensions between the Celtic board and supporters, Rodgers says only time will tell how that situation will play out: "I'm not here to answer those questions because they are not mine".
He has regular communication with Michael Nicholson and has "huge respect" for Dermot Desmond. Rodgers hopes a solution can be found for everyone to start pulling in the same direction again.
Rodgers thinks the club must assess how they communicate following the poorly-received statement put out after the transfer window - "the quality of your life is the quality of your communication," he adds.
On the briefing from within the club to a national newspaper that he was trying to manufacture an exit, Rodgers describes it as a "cowardly action", but says he isn't surprised by it.
He stresses the importance of being backed by the board - "with the weight I have on my shoulders, it's so important to feel supported" - and says he is "100%" open to staying beyond this season.
Rodgers says Adam Idah did not ask to leave the club and Celtic did not want to sell him without a proper replacement.
The manager describes free agent Kelechi Iheanacho as "robust" and with "genuine talent".
Winger Daizen Maeda asked to leave Celtic in February, but the club "weren't ready" to facilitate that in the summer.
Team news: Kieran Tierney has trained after dropping out of the Scotland squad and Iheanacho is available for a debut.
Claire Thomson
BBC Sport Scotland
Image source, SNSKilmarnock manager Stuart Kettlewell insists his side will ignore "exterior noise" as Celtic fans plan to protest their dissatisfaction with the club's board this weekend at Rugby Park.
His side are still seeking a first Premiership win this season, having gone into the international break following four successive draws.
But as Celtic supporters enter the ground after the 12th minute, Kettlewell wants Killie to stay fully focused on on-field matters.
"There always seems to be some narrative surrounding Celtic and Rangers that people want to latch on to. I've seen it since I was a young child but I don't listen to it for a second," he said.
"Celtic are a top side. They've continued to win trophies time and time again, because of the standard they have set and they have continually raised the bar and been able to maintain it.
"The players know we're playing against the team that has set the bar for so many years and it's going to be a difficult day.
"I've seen it before with fans from other clubs but what people need to understand for my team, the focus will be solely on the job at hand.
"We won't listen to that exterior noise, so it doesn't become a factor.
"We have to do our job to the best of our ability and it's not something we will discuss as a football club."
Image source, SNSCeltic captain Callum McGregor says he understands the "discontent within the supporters" as fans prepare to demonstrate their anger following a disappointing summer transfer window and failure to reach the Champions League.
Supporters are planning to boycott the first 12 minutes of Sunday's trip to Kilmarnock in protest at the board, who are accused failing to do enough to help manager Brendan Rodgers strengthen his squad.
McGregor, a boyhood Celtic fan, said he did "not want to be dragged into the politics of it too much," but acknowledged how the supporters felt.
"I think it's unprecedented in recent times," said the 32-year-old midfielder.
"The sort of level of noise and discontent within the supporters, I can understand it. It's the supporters that make the club what it is. It's so special.
"They're putting their hard-earned money into the club so, of course, I understand that they want to see the best possible team on the pitch.
"Everybody in elite sport, the players, the supporters, we all want to be at the highest level possible every single year, and that is the demand of this club, so I do understand it.
"I sympathise with them a little bit on it because it's them who are spending the money and trying to support the team, etc, so my responsibility is to try and give them the best product on the pitch that we possibly can.
"My focus is on that and trying to bring them happiness through the football of the team."
McGregor will discuss the planned protests pre-match with team-mates on Saturday but doesn't want to "make it a bigger thing than it already is".
He added: "It's now important that we draw a line under what happened, the team now get back to functioning and attacking in the way that we want to do.
"I've got no doubt if we find a goal in the Champions League [to beat Kairat Almaty], it's not anywhere near as noisy as what it is. And that comes back on the team as well. We all have to take collective responsibility.
"I understand that the window probably didn't go the way that the club wanted, there were some targets that we didn't get, etc. And sometimes that's life, sometimes that happens.
"The important thing is there's an acknowledgement of it and there's an acknowledgement to try and do better the next time.
"That's all, as a captain, as a supporter, that you can hope for, is that people learn their lessons from mistakes, ie. players, coaches, managers, the board, etc. We all have to learn and get better."
Image source, SNSQuestions have been raised about whether Celtic's fan protest at Kilmarnock this weekend will have any effect.
Supporters will continue to demonstrate their dissatisfaction with the club's board with a late entry protest after the 12th minute as many remain angry about the club's transfer window and failure to reach the Champions League.
Although 12 new signings were made, fans have been frustrated by the level of new recruits and the inability to replace some departed players.
Chants of "sack the board" have already been heard at Celtic Park, but football journalist Moira Gordon does not think the Celtic boardroom will care about fan protests.
"I don't think, especially short term, it will bother them too much," she told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.
"They have made their decision and they're stubborn about it. They feel they're running the club the best way the feel it should be done.
"Not turning up at games only hurts the players and the teams.
"For Celtic and Rangers, the big travelling support is one their major strengths week in, week out. It affects the players more than the boards.
"The boards care about still getting money in. If you start voting with your money or you keep your money from boardrooms, then they sit up and start making decisions.
"Is [major shareholder] Dermot Desmond sitting somewhere worrying that there's a few thousand seats empty at Rugby Park, and he's suddenly going to hold his hands up? That's not the sort of guy he is.
"I understand Celtic fans want to do it and have their opinions heard but I don't think it's going to make an impact."
Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland
Image source, OptaDaizen Maeda was Celtic's standout player last season, scoring 33 goals and providing 12 assists.
It was the most productive campaign of his career - and a high bar to maintain - but the Japan forward has struggled to reach those levels early this term amid speculation over his future.
What does the data - specifically his statistics per 90 minutes - reveal about Maeda's current performances compared to last season's scintillating form?
His goals are obviously lower, given that he's yet to find the net in the league with four games under his belt.
In spite of that, he has set up two strikes, meaning he's not far off last year's match average of goals and assists - 0.6 this time compared to 0.91.
There's been a slight improvement in total fast breaks but almost every other attacking metric is worse.
the 27-year-old's ratio of shots and shots on target have both dropped significantly, which is perhaps a symptom of Celtic's lack of attacking thrust in the league season despite taking 10 points from 12.
While Maeda scored 0.53 big chances per 90 last term, he's sitting on zero so far but his big chances missed is exactly the same.
The forward's number of touches in the opposition box is down too, but he has only started as striker in one game this season - the 0-0 draw against Rangers at Ibrox - so it's understandable certain contributions are not as high.
With Adam Idah having departed for Swansea City on transfer deadline day, the winger has a new frontman to work alongside in Kelechi Iheanacho.
Perhaps some fresh blood at the top end of the pitch can help inspire Maeda back to his best.
And while his attacking numbers are down, defensively there's been a positive difference in Maeda's output.
He's won an average of 3.87 duels compared to 3.66 last season, while his clearances have almost tripled and his possession won has gone from 2.57 to 4.17.
Image source, SNSKilmarnock have lost 16 of their past 19 league meetings with Celtic (W1 D2), including their latest four in a row, all by a margin of 2+ goals.
Celtic have won seven and lost just one of their past nine league visits to Rugby Park (D1), winning their latest two by an aggregate score of 7-0.
Kilmarnock have drawn their first four league matches this season, their longest run of consecutive draws in the top flight since a stretch of four between February and March 2000.
Celtic are unbeaten in 10 league matches (W7 D3) since a 1-0 defeat to St Johnstone in April, winning by a 2+ goal margin in six of their seven victories in this time.
Celtic are yet to concede a league goal and could keep a clean sheet in all of their first five Premiership matches for a second consecutive season after doing so last term, a run of games that included a 4-0 victory against Kilmarnock.
Brendan Rodgers will hold urgent talks with Daizen Maeda to get a sense of the attitude of Celtic's main striker after he publicly stated his desire to leave the champions. (Scottish Sun)
Sebastian Tounekti's upbringing on the freezing pitches of Tromso have given the Tunisia winger a toughness that will prepare him for life at Celtic. (Scottish Sun)
Read the rest of Thursday's gossip.
BBC Sport Scotland reporter Kheredine Idessane has been answering some of your questions on Celtic.
James asked: Is Brendan Rodgers to blame for an indifferent start to the season? On paper the team should have progressed into the Champions League. Are the board right to withhold funds due to a lot of monies spent on quite average players? What happens next?
Peter asked: Rodgers seem to have problems with the board releasing funds. Do you think he will leave?
Kheredine answered: I'm going to take your questions together, James and Peter. Rodgers doesn't get a free pass in all of this, in my opinion, no.
The current squad, even minus the departed Kyogo Furuhashi and Nicolas Kuhn - and the injured Jota - should have had enough about them to get past the champions of Kazakhstan. Never mind failing to score against them in 210 minutes. This is a failure of football, of tactics, of motivation and potentially of desire.
The players and manager have to take a long, hard look at themselves for blowing the club's best chance in years to overcome their long-standing Champions League qualifying hoodoo.
Clearly, earlier and better recruitment could have helped the club overcome Kairat Almaty. Rodgers realised this, repeatedly talked about the need to strengthen and was effectively ignored by the board. One has to ask why?
This perhaps relates to your point, James, about the board being reluctant to spend when they perhaps don't feel they got value for money in Adam Idah, Arne Engels, Auston Trusty or Paulo Bernardo from the year before.
Will Rodgers leave, Peter? At the end of the season, almost certainly yes, in my view. Indeed, this whole mess Celtic have got themselves into boils down to manager's future: why would a board sanction a significant spend when they don't know who the manager is going to be next summer?
The talks Rodgers had with major shareholder Dermot Desmond over the summer did not lead to the offer of a new contract. Not enough has been made of this, in my view.
With a manager in place whose deal expires in a few months, little wonder we've seen a summer of hesitation, financial caution and, in terms of the Champions League, football failure.
Matt asked: Why do you think so many top players seem keen to leave despite the success they have here? Greg Taylor, Kuhn, Kyogo, Idah, now rumours of Daizen Maeda wanting to go and Yang Yang Hyun-jun being denied, it makes you wonder.
Kheredine answered: There's a shelf-life to a stay in Scotland – certainly for some foreign players and home-grown stars with aspiration.
No one can blame Taylor for wanting to challenge himself in a different environment. Especially when there was every chance Kieran Tierney would be viewed as first-choice left-back.
I don't think Idah was desperate to leave, but there was growing frustration from the stands at the way his Celtic career was going, and maybe a little frustration in the player too that he was hardly being presented with a raft of great chances every game.
A move away for a decent return on the £9m Celtic paid for him was good business for everyone.
As for the Japanese lads and Kuhn, the German winger falls precisely into Celtic's model. Buy cheap, sell expensive. When the right offer appears, the club have to cash in, even if it's only after 18 months.
Kyogo, Maeda and Reo Hatate have all given the club excellent service. Kyogo felt he might be suited to a different league; Maeda and Hatate are still there but may feel they've done their time, given that both arrived in January 2022.
With the greatest respect to our wonderful game, neither probably viewed Scotland as their end destination.
The key to succession planning is timing, and that's the one thing the Celtic board have loosened their grip on. It should have been clear the futures of the manager and several key players needed to be resolved early in the summer. They weren't and that's why the club has hit a big bump in the road.
BBC Sport Scotland reporter Kheredine Idessane has been answering some of your questions on Celtic.
John asked: Million dollar question, will the combined disapproval from all sections of the Celtic supporters groups bring any change to the board or will they just carry on regardless of the outcry from almost every genuine fan?
Kheredine answered: Is that the inflationary version of the old $64,000 question, John? One for the old school, there. You're quite right, though: the burning question among many fans is whether they can effect any real change at board level.
That would appear extremely unlikely. There is little doubt that, as a business, Celtic is extremely well run. Which means the board are carrying out their fiduciary duties, and all duties of trust and care, extremely well.
The mantra from the blazers is all about preparing for a rainy day. In that sense, the football club could not be better off. The supporters, however, want maximum investment in the team on the pitch and that clearly hasn't happened this calendar year.
The tendency among the hierarchy at Celtic Park is to keep calm and carry on. They don't tend to say much outwith AGMs or financial result statements.
They did, of course, break cover recently with Saturday's club statement. Given how that was received, don't expect to hear much from anyone on the board any time soon, and don't expect much to change at boardroom level, especially if results on the park improve.
Derek asked: Has anyone challenged Celtic's statement where they claim they are restricted by Uefa fair play rules on how much they can spend on improving the team? What is the limit they can spend under these rules?
Kheredine answered: Good question, Derek, and one that immediately sprang to my mind when I waded through that remarkable club statement at the weekend.
It would appear to me Celtic are comfortably within the scope of any Uefa profit and sustainability rules. As a very rough rule of thumb, you're allowed losses of £100m over a rolling three-year period. Celtic are a million miles off that, as they've been in profit the past few years. Significant profit, at that, in Scottish terms.
There's also a move from PSR to SCR (squad cost ratio): this restricts you to spending 70% of your revenue on squad costs.
Celtic's last published figures (for the year ending June 2024) showed revenues of £125m. Seventy per cent of that is £87m. It's clear the club is well within that figure when it comes to its outlay on players.
In the summer of 2024, for example, it's widely acknowledged the boat was pushed out somewhat with the acquisitions of Adam Idah, Arne Engels, Auston Trusty and Paulo Bernardo for approximately £30m (aka the Matt O'Riley money). Nowhere near that amount has been spent in the current window, to the frustration of many supporters.
Image source, PA MediaKelechi Iheanacho (left) made 15 appearances for Middlesbrough last season
Kelechi Iheanacho is "ready" to make his Celtic debut this weekend if called upon.
The Nigeria international, 28, joined Celtic as a free agent earlier this month after leaving Sevilla and last played in his country's friendly draw with Jamaica in May. His last goal came in March while on loan at Middlesbrough.
Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic visit Kilmarnock on Sunday (15:00 BST).
"I'm ready," Iheanacho told club media. "I've always been ready.
"[Celtic] are used to winning trophies. Hopefully, I'll be part of that. I'm happy to be here."
Iheanacho was previously managed by Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers when both were at Leicester City.
"He's been massively important in my career," Iheanacho said. "He looked after me when I was in Leicester. He obviously gave me the opportunity to show my talent in Leicester, to help the team and win trophies. I'm happy to play for him again.
"Man management as well, the way he manages players - he's a great guy. He knows how to manage his team and the players as well."
What would you like to ask about Celtic?
Our reporter Kheredine Idessane is ready to answer your questions and offer his insight and opinion on your club.
Send us your questions here.
Tino
Fan writer
Sometimes, the wisest thing to say is nothing at all.
From a Celtic perspective, that approach would have left the club in a far stronger position than the one it now finds itself in following the storm of the past few days.
A storm entirely of its own making.
The failings of the transfer window are obvious and well documented - there's no need to go over them line by line again here.
What has angered supporters even more than the window itself, however, is the club's response to it.
Instead of holding their hands up, acknowledging the shortcomings, and offering a credible plan forward, Celtic chose to downplay the concerns and patronise the very people who fill the stands and fund the club.
A decision that has only deepened the divide. So what happens next?
On the supporters' side, the irony is this is one issue that the club's vast fanbase can agree on. Fans have long been accused of being fragmented when it comes to holding the board accountable, but the sheer scale of dissatisfaction this time feels different.
The open letter - signed on behalf of tens of thousands of supporters – isn't just some noise on social media that'll blow over in the coming days. It's a coordinated statement of intent, a sign the patience of the fanbase is wearing dangerously thin.
The demand is simple: real change. Not vague promises, not glossy PR, but visible, measurable improvements in how the club is run.
And that change must start with three things: communication, transparency and strategy.
Supporters don't expect miracles in the transfer market, but they do expect honesty. They don't expect every decision to be explained in minute detail, but they do expect clarity on direction.
And above all, they want to see evidence Celtic have a coherent plan - short, medium and long term – rather than stumbling from one window to the next.
For the club, the choice is stark. They can continue to dismiss criticism and hope results on the pitch paper over the cracks, or they can engage meaningfully with supporters and rebuild trust. Silence, spin and self-congratulation won't cut it this time.
The ball is now firmly in the board's court. They've heard the anger, they've read the letter, and they can't pretend otherwise.
The question is whether they'll finally now act accordingly - or continue down a path that has left so many supporters completely disillusioned?
