John Fallon: “Celtic was in his blood and in his heart,” Brendan Rodgers | OneFootball

Brendan Rodgers spoke to Celtic TV ahead of last night’s Hoops’ encounter against Dutch giants Ajax in the Como Cup where he took the opportunity to share his thoughts on Lisbon Lion John Fallon who sadly passed away this week…

COMO , 24-07-2025 , Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia , season 2025 / 2026 , Como Cup football , match between Ajax and Celtic , Field entrance of both teams and referee with teamcaptain Ajax player Davy Klaassen Ajax – Celtic friendly. Photo IMAGO

It was a match in which Celtic played well and were the better side in the first half that ended 1-1 but with both Yang and Idah having efforts coming off the Ajax crossbar.  However Ajax played much better after the break and ended up scoring a further four goals without reply.

John Fallon leads the Celtic celebrations on the bench as Celtic reach the European Cup Final with a 0-0 draw away to Dukla Prague to give Celtic a 3-1 aggregate win. Photo The Celtic Wiki Dukla Prague v Celtic

Here’s Brendan’s pre-match interview which includes his own tribute to Lisbon Lion John Fallon, who sadly passed away this week…

Q: Brendan, we have just arrived here in Como at the stadium, beautiful surroundings, just give us your initial impressions of the place?

Brendan Rodgers: “Yeah, well as you said we just arrived, just done the press conference, it’s a beautiful setting and we’re really looking forward to being here. It will bring an end to our games of pre-season which have been designed to build our intensity and quality, so we’re really happy to be here and have got two good games ahead of us.”

A view of the Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium ahead of the Como Cup match between Ajax and Celtic FC at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on July 24, 2025 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Q: Speaking right now at the side of the pitch, they’re building up to the opening match, I know you have just arrived but outside the place there are supporters of all clubs mingling, it feels like a real festival of football and something that is wonderful to be involved in as a club.

Brendan Rodgers: “Yeah, whenever it was something that was put to us towards the end of last season, we felt that if the organisation of it was all good and there were good teams we’d be really happy to bring Celtic to here. So, we’re really, really glad that we’ve come and it’ll be two very good games for us, it will test us again and yeah, it’s something we’re all looking forward to.”

Q: Talking about those teams and the games, right off the bat we’ve got Ajax. Are those the sort of tests that you as a manager look for as we build towards another intense season?

Brendan Rodgers: “Yeah, if you look at Ajax being the first game, I’ve been so looking forward to playing them. Obviously, a historical club, the same as ourselves who produce some really good players and will play a real good style of football. So, it will be a real good test for us.”

John Fallon at the Greenock CSC in May 2017. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Q: Finally, Brendan, we lost another Lisbon Lion and a wonderful Celtic man in John Fallon and it’s another really sad loss for the Celtic family.

Brendan Rodgers: “It is yeah. Firstly, condolences to John’s family. I’d seen him just before the end of the season, he came up to Lennoxtown with a few of his friends and I got the chance to speak to him. I know how much of a Celtic supporter he was, travelled home and away and even to the point I know he was looking to get to the game in Cork. So, right to the very end Celtic was in his heart. An incredible guy, just so sad for him but Celtic was in his blood and in his heart right until the very end and he will always be remembered.”

And here’s Brendan’s post-match interview…

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