Celtic back in ‘Terminado’ territory – Instead of optimism, a nagging sense of déjà vu

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The Celtic Star

·2 août 2025

Celtic back in ‘Terminado’ territory – Instead of optimism, a nagging sense of déjà vu

Anyone who took in Brendan Rodgers’ media duties yesterday will have been left wondering what exactly has gone on behind the scenes over the course of this summer…

Celtic FC coach Brendan Rodgers looks on before the Como Cup match between Al-Ahli and Celtic FC at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on July 26, 2025 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Whether it was his Sky Sports interview or the pre-match press conference which was attended by The Celtic Star, it’s hard to recall the manager being so direct since the now infamous ‘terminado’ comments during his first spell in charge.

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🚨 BREAKING: Brendan Rodgers says he has held talks over a new Celtic deal but will only stay if the club want to "continue moving forward". Watch Celtic vs St Mirren on Sky Sports on Sunday 📺
– vendredi 1 août 2025

There was no ambiguity—Rodgers was measured but unmistakably pointed. Something has shifted – recently – and he made sure we all knew it.

As Celtic prepare to raise the league flag and kick off a new season, the air around Celtic Park should be thick with excitement, not with unease. But, instead of fanfare, there’s frustration. Instead of optimism, there’s a nagging sense of déjà vu.

COMO, ITALY – JULY 26: Celtic FC team line up during the Como Cup match between Al-Ahli and Celtic FC at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on July 26, 2025 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

We’re entering this campaign short. Short in key positions. The manager highlighted the attack as his pressing concern, so that will be wingers, probably three. A starter on either side and at least loan cover for the Jota injury. Then it’s possibly an established first-choice striker, perhaps that physical presence in midfield, and he made it clear left sided defensive cover is also required. Our bench looks worryingly light, but a strengthening of the first eleven and the work done in the transfer market so far will lift the floor to remedy that.

In terms of numbers we’re not talking a lot of signings

In terms of numbers we’re not talking a lot of signings, certainly not an Ange style rebuild, but it’s the quality to add to the quantity Brendan is after now, and you get the impression he’s not exactly confident of getting it, but he feels he’s earned it, so he’s making it public where the blame game ends.

Michael Nicholson is seen during the Premier Sports Cup match between Celtic and Hibernian at Celtic Park on August 18, 2024 (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Meanwhile tens of millions sit idle in the bank. This isn’t misfortune—it’s mismanagement. Brendan Rodgers seems to think so too. Today’s press conference made it impossible to ignore. The manager didn’t just voice concerns—he issued a challenge. He openly questioned whether the Celtic board shares his ambition. It was a powerful, uncomfortable moment that left little room for misinterpretation.

It’s the board’s vision that’s under the microscope

Rodgers made it clear. If the board want to drive this club forward, he’s here for it. But if they’re happy just to ‘maintain’, he won’t be. His commitment isn’t the issue—it’s the board’s vision that’s under the microscope.

Some may call this brave. Others might call it insubordination. But what can’t be denied is that Rodgers has thrown down the gauntlet. It’s now in the hands of Dermot Desmond and the board.

None of us want to see it, but Sunday could well be the feistiest flag unfurling since Fergus felt the wrath. The issues go beyond missing a couple of signings. What we’re seeing is a lack of urgency, a lack of ambition, and perhaps most damningly, a lack of belief in a manager they supposedly brought back to lead a new era – and told him just that.

Rodgers wouldn’t have returned to Celtic without assurances.

Rodgers wouldn’t have returned to Celtic without assurances. So, what changed? Have last year’s signings—who won a domestic double and delivered our best European campaign in over a decade—suddenly been deemed failures? If that’s considered failure, what exactly is the board expecting?

The truth is painfully simple. The board doesn’t believe significant investment is needed to win in Scotland and Champions League football is a bonus. But that gamble could cost us more than Champions League prestige, and money—it could cost us Rodgers himself.

In football, standing still is regression

COMO, ITALY – JULY 26: Celtic FC coach Brendan Rodgers celebrates the victory at the end of the Como Cup match between Al-Ahli and Celtic FC at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on July 26, 2025 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

And let’s be clear, this is about more than just transfers. It’s about the message we send to players, staff, supporters and our competition at home and abroad. In football, standing still is regression. Our rivals are watching—and it is only a matter of time until they’re ready, and that’s not just the team across the city. Surely, we are not so hubristic and arrogant behind the scenes that we cannot see that.

Rodgers has seen this story before. His ‘terminado’ warning before he left the first time was rooted in the same issue – a board unwilling to match ambition with action. We all know how that ended.

Rodgers is a shrewd communicator. He knows the weight of his words

Yesterday’s comments were no accident. Rodgers is a shrewd communicator. He knows the weight of his words. He’s not just speaking to journalists—he’s speaking to Desmond himself. And Desmond won’t have appreciated it.

But this isn’t about egos. It’s about Celtic’s future. We could spend £30 million plus in this window and barely dent our reserves. Instead, we’re risking somewhere in the region of £40m- £50 million in Champions League revenue by entering the season undercooked.

If not now, then when? Never?

Alfred Dunhill Links Championship 2024 Dermot Desmond on the 18th tee during the final round of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship 2024 on the Old Course at St. Andrews Golf CLub, Fife, . 06/10/2024. Picture Fran Caffrey / Golffile.ie

With Champions League qualifiers ahead, alongside trips to Ibrox and Pittodrie looming, this could turn sour quickly. If it does, both sides may have decisions to make. The board, as ever, will gamble that results will calm the waters. A qualification for the Champions league and a win at Ibrox, it’ll be opium for the masses they’ll wager, and all the noise will subside. If that was the thinking prior to today’s presser, the board may have another think coming.

Alfred Dunhill Links Championship 2024 Dermot Desmond

The mood among fans is changing. Those who were previously concerned are incredulous now. Those who were balanced are tilting towards the manager, and those who clap happily have moved to sitting on their hands. That’s a seismic shift in a few short weeks. But the biggest shift of the tectonic plates happened today. Many feel disconnected, disillusioned, even apathetic. That’s the real danger—not just losing a manager but losing belief.

Celtic are at a junction now. One path leads to progress, investment, and momentum. The other leads to stagnation, division, and decline.

Celtic FC coach Brendan Rodgers looks on before 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)

Back the manager—or be prepared to lose him. That’s the stark choice now for those supposed to be the custodians of this club.

Niall J

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