Dermot Desmond was right about 'self-serving' Brendan Rodgers says scathing ex-Celtic striker

Brendan Rodgers’ departure from Celtic was far from amicable.

Tension between Rodgers, the board and Dermot Desmond was well-established, but few expected it to become as public as it did.

Less than an hour after his resignation was announced, Desmond released an astonishing statement which lamented Rodgers for being ‘divisive’ and ‘self-serving’.

The statement overshadowed the return of Hoops legend Martin O’Neill as Rodgers’ interim replacement, as Scottish football was taken by storm.

Desmond’s words have divided opinion. But for one former Hoops striker, Desmond was right to call him self-serving.

Ex-Celtic striker on departed boss Brendan Rodgers

The rift between Rodgers and club higher-ups became clear when an anonymous Celtic insider accused Rodgers of tearing the club apart in a report in the Sun.

Rodgers condemned the ‘cowardly action’ of the briefing, honestly admitting that he wasn’t surprised by it.

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But there are two sides to every story, and Desmond’s statement left no doubt over his anger at Rodgers’ actions in recent months.

Asked about the ordeal, former Celtic and Marseille striker Tony Cascarino got real about Rodgers on TalkSPORT.

Cascarino said: “I’ve never met Brendan. Going back to his time at Liverpool, I don’t think he covered himself in glory at Anfield in certain stages.

“Does he produce good teams? Yes he does. Does he win things? Well, he certainly has in Scotland, and he had a good Leicester team as well.

“But there’s always the ‘but’ there with Brendan, I feel. It is self-serving, most of the time. When you hear an owner, or part-owner, come out and say so many strong words, Brendan’s pushed the boat there.

“His comments didn’t go down well, certainly with the club. And you can have your problems with not spending or whatever, and the Honda Civic.

“What do you think the dressing room’s going to think to that? You’re saying your players are more like a Honda Civic, aren’t you. Is that fair?

“You’re still referring to the players, because you’re saying can’t buy better players. It’s about him and the ability to be a bit more humble, say what you’ve got to say to people when you’re in front of them.

“And when you walk out the door, you act. And I feel like Brendan doesn’t do that.”

Was Dermot Desmond right to hammer ex-Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers?

Desmond is not Celtic’s owner – he is their majority shareholder, and a non-executive director at Celtic Park.

Despite this, he has all of the say in the club’s decision-making. His statement about Rodgers was extremely revealing, but not everyone is believing it.

After all, Rodgers’ actions didn’t cause fan unrest, they added to it. Celtic fans have seen this movie before under previous managers.

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