BRENDAN RODGERS has refuted suggestions from former Celtic striker Chris Sutton that he is ‘going through the motions’ during his second spell in charge of the club, saying that he still has the fire to bring success to Celtic Park.
Speaking on the Daily Mail ‘It’s all Kicking Off’ podcast earlier this week, Sutton argued that Rodgers had to assume more of the blame for recent ‘flat’ performances, saying: “At the moment this Celtic team are disjointed and going through the motions. And there’s a fair argument to suggest Brendan Rodgers has been going through the motions this season.”
But the Celtic manager gave short shrift to Sutton’s comments, saying that he would never have had the success he has throughout his career if he wasn’t giving his all to his job.
“That’s the first I’ve heard of that,” Rodgers said.
“In my career, I wouldn’t be sat here if I went through the motions in anything.
“I had no big playing career, no big history in the game. I had to fight for everything I got in the game.
“That will always be the case. I’ve never been granted any privileges in my life as a young coach and as a manager.
“So, no, I’ve certainly not gone through the motion, that’s for sure.
“[The fire]’s still always there. I’m here to win, I’ve said that before, and I know how to win. It’s not new.
“I said that to players in here earlier in the season, when we had the game against St Johnstone at home. I’m here to win, not to draw and certainly not to lose games. And I know how to win. And that’s something that, over time, hopefully I can show here.
“I was here in my first time with a group of players who I was able to maximise the potential of virtually all of them. It will be the same here. With the right profile of players – and players we can elevate – they will do that. That’s what I’ve done all my career.
“So, no, I’m certainly not going through the motions. It’s a different period of my managerial career, but I’m certainly not going through the motions.”
While he bristled a little at that accusation from Sutton, Rodgers insists that the flak currently coming his way after the defeats to Kilmarnock and Hearts has no effect on him or on his team.
“I don’t listen to it,” he said.
“I assume there was criticism because we lost but I couldn’t tell you where it’s come from or who it’s been given from.
“That’s part of the role of a manager. You learn to regulate that. I’m also one who, with experience, never gets too emotional with words.
“I assess things logically and the reality was that we weren’t good enough. For whatever reason. Second half against Kilmarnock, against Hearts – we weren’t good enough. There are lessons there for us as a team. Hopefully we can heed those lessons, that’s part of the challenge.
“In terms of criticism, listen, it happens when you’re not winning. It’s something that could affect you when you’re a very young manager, but it doesn’t [affect] me.
“I’m here with a mentality to make this right and hopefully we can deliver that.”
