Rodgers’ reputation on the line as Gerrard reunion looms
GLASGOW: Steven Gerrard’s arrival as manager of Rangers has focused attention on the other side of Glasgow but Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers’ rebuilt reputation is at stake with his former pupil on the prowl.
Rodgers and Gerrard face off for the first time on Sunday at Celtic Park after three seasons together as manager and captain at Liverpool.
Having come agonisingly close to winning the Premier League title in 2013/14, Rodgers was sacked just months after Gerrard’s 17-year career at Liverpool came to an end in 2015.
In two years north of the border, the Northern Irishman has won back-to-back domestic trebles, a historic first in Scottish football.
However, the appointment of Gerrard has coincided with his first period of strife on and off the pitch at Celtic Park.
The Scottish champions were beaten by AEK Athens to miss out on the group stages of the Champions League and lost for just the fifth time domestically in Rodgers’ reign at Hearts in their second league game of the season.
The blame for a poor start to the campaign has largely been pinned on the club’s board for failing to back Rodgers.
Despite boasting cash reserves of £30 million ($39 million), Celtic have been too frugal for the liking of their manager and fans during the transfer window.
Celtic have only turned loan deals into permanent moves for French striker Odsonne Edouard and back-up goalkeeper Scott Bain, re-signed 32-year-old leftback Emilio Izaguirre on a free transfer and secured a two-year loan deal for Australian teenager Daniel Arzani from Manchester City.
That contrasts sharply with the cash handed to Gerrard to complete 13 new signings despite Rangers’ comparative lack of resources.
Rodgers himself openly questioned the board’s ambition after seeing Hibs midfielder John McGinn join Aston Villa.
“Our job this year was pretty straightforward in terms of bringing players in. We only wanted players of quality,” said Rodgers, even before his side were eliminated by AEK. “We’ve lost players so the bare minimum we need to do is replace that.”
Worse could yet be to come with Lyon in negotiations to lure away star striker Moussa Dembele before Friday’s deadline.
Dembele has played a key role in Rodgers’ stunning record against Rangers. In 11 meetings over the past two seasons Celtic have won nine and drawn two, racking up an aggregate of 30-6.
“He’s not a player we want to lose. He’s a phenomenal talent,” said Rodgers of the French under21 international, who has scored seven Old Firm goals.
Even if Dembele stays, Celtic risk having another unhappy player on their hands.
Despite a defensive crisis, Belgian international centre-back Dedryck Boyata refused to play in the second leg away to AEK after Celtic rebuffed reported bids from Fulham before the close of the Premier League transfer window. — AFP