Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
BREN: RACISM COULD DRIVE PLAYERS AWAY
BRENDAN RODGERS has warned Scottish football to get rid of racism or risk chasing top-class talent from the Premiership. The Celtic boss has spoken out after Rangers fan Paul Kenny pleaded guilty to making monkey gestures at Hoops star Scott Sinclair during last weekend’s Old Firm clash. Sinclair, who has also been trolled by racists on social media, says he was sickened at the abuse and revealed it was the first time in his career he had ever been singled out for the colour of his skin. Rodgers has praised the vast majority of Scottish football fans but fears some players may call it quits in this country if they are subjected to ongoing abuse. He said: “In the main, the majority of Scottish football supporters – although they know Scott is a threat – will also notice a real upgrade in level of player when they watch him. “He is a good kid, a young man who leads his life well. “All the supporters up here want that type of talent to be here, not to be pushed out of it any way at all. “My responsibility is to bring the best game to Scotland that we can, particularly Celtic, and for that you need the best players. “I would hope it would not put off others from coming to Scotland. It’s an isolated incident. I would always speak in defence of the people up here and the football clubs here.” Rangers have handed a lifetime ban to Kenny, who was caught by Sky Sports cameras hurling racist hate as Sinclair celebrated putting his side ahead from the spot in their 5-1 rout. Rodgers added: “I was surprised by it because I haven’t seen anything like that coming since I’ve been up here. It shouldn’t matter what colour you are, what religion you are.”