Rodgers: I wanted to stay and finish season at Celts
BRENDAN RODGERS last night issued a vehement denial that he drove the decision to run out on Celtic before the end of the season.
The Northern Irishman opened his heart on the decision to join Leicester yesterday after being officially paraded at the King Power Stadium – four days after sealing the move which has enraged the Parkhead supporters he left behind.
Rodgers has been left shellshocked by the outpouring of animosity which has been aimed at him this week and
FROM BACK PAGE led to police investigating a sick video of a group of Celtic fans singing about his execution.
But he insists he was forced into making a snap decision to drop everything for a new challenge in England’s top flight.
And he poured scorn on reports suggesting it was his call to make the move immediately rather than to hold out until the end of the season.
Asked if he had spoken to Leicester about the possibility of delaying the move until the summer Rodgers said: “Yes. That was something I asked, ‘Could it wait until the summer?’ But they felt it couldn’t.
“So I then have to make a decision. There was no way I was wanting to do what I did, with 11 games to go, in a cup quarter-final and having won a trophy.
“Everybody could see my passion in my last home game against Motherwell. But very quickly that night there was an approach and I had to deal with it.
“Waiting until the summer was one of the things I’d asked. It was beyond what Leicester wanted to do and you can understand their position.
“There were 10 or 11 games to go and they have top players here, who were unsure of where the club is going. They need to make a statement, show ambition and maybe look to keep some players.
“They wanted to give me a chance for the next two months to build and move forward.”
When pressed further on claims that he dictated the timing of the move Rodgers remained adamant that the choice was not his to make – and insisted Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell will back him up.
He said: “People will bring that to the table, especially if it creates a headline.
“It was never the case. I had a frank and amicable talk here. It just wasn’t something that they wanted to do.
“That will be verified by Peter who spoke to Leicester. He will tell you categorically Leicester said that was their position. He asked them as well.
“That’s when I went to speak. Peter will confirm that as well. That was the conversation because he relayed that to me.”
Rodgers admits to being stung by the anger his decision has created.
But he insisted: “I understand. It was so quick. It wasn’t something that was planned because my plan was to get to the end of the season then, like I always do, review.
“I know the truth. If there’s a narrative around something else I can’t control that.
“Leicester made the approach to the club and were very clear, they were prepared to pay big compensation to take me out. I was their candidate.”
Asked if he could guarantee Celtic’s spurned fans he won’t rub salt in their wounds by returning this summer to plunder the likes of Kieran Tierney and Callum McGregor.
Rodgers said: “I’ve not even thought to be honest. I’m only just in the door so there’s nothing to answer on that.”