Loyalty probably isn’t a word Celtic fans would use to describe Brendan Rodgers with many still bitter at the manner of his Parkhead departure. But it’s how the under-fire Leicester City gaffer has described himself in an interview that will sound very familiar to Celtic supporters.
Rodgers earned his first victory over the season against Midlands rivals Nottingham Forest on Monday night to haul the Foxes off the foot of the Premier League table and ease a bit of the pressure on the 49-year-old. And in an interview with The Athletic the man who brought the FA Cup to the King Power Stadium said he turned down opportunities to leave, with Arsenal and Newcastle United reported to be the clubs the Northern Irishman was offered the chance to join.
He said: “The owners know my loyalty because I stayed when maybe I could have left on two occasions. But that doesn't mean they owe me anything. I want to do it for the club and the supporters and they trust me to do that.”
Celtic fans have noted the loyalty claim and it’s interesting that Rodgers also revealed he had an opportunity depart the Hoops shortly before he eventually did. Again, it was at a time when he was feeling the heat a bit in his final season with the Hoops crashing out of the Champions League to AEK Athens.
Rodgers told how he rejected a lucrative offer from China at the start of that season. He said: "Since I have been at Celtic I have had a few offers," Rodgers said. "So that [China] is no different to any of the others.
“My focus is very much on Celtic, trying to help us rise to the challenge of this season. What you know with China is it's an awful lot of money, big money, but I have found happiness here. I spoke to the owners of the club and the board and we find an agreement and move on.
"I have had other opportunities but I am very much here, I have this year and two more years on my contract.”
But Rodgers was gone five months later and Celtic fans on social media have reacted to to his latest interview. One said: “Brendan and loyalty don’t walk on the same side of the street.” Another added: “Loyal character so you are Brendan. We all know it well at Celtic…”
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