NafisaCeltic have been predicted to impose another ban on PLZ Soccer following a discussion regarding Brendan Rodgers’ future as Hoops manager.
The Scottish platform, along with BBC Scotland, were excluded from Parkhead for the coach’s presentation in June 2023, marking his return to the club for a second stint after leaving for Leicester City in 2019.
This followed remarks from Tom English and Peter Martin on social media about Rodgers, resulting in both outlets being omitted from the list of invitees for a major announcement emerging from Celtic Park.
Despite three campaigns in the Premier League with the Foxes, the 52-year-old made his way back north of the border, though not every supporter welcomed the decision after his painful departure six years earlier.
Fast-forward to the conclusion of the 2024/25 season, Rodgers has guided the side to another Scottish Premiership title while also making waves in the Champions League, nearly advancing to the last 16.
Ally McCoist mentioned to Football Insider that Rodgers might look for a way out of Celtic due to minimal challenge from their Old Firm adversaries, reigniting talk around the manager’s long-term future.
Brendan Rodgers questions asked amid Celtic exit speculation:
Speaking on PLZ Soccer’s The Football Show (19 May), Alison McConnell said: “His contract runs out next year [June 2026], so I’m just wondering if there’ll be an extension or just one last season. I think he’ll just do next season, and it’ll bring a natural end to his deal.”
Martin chuckled: “As long as he doesn’t declare his love for the club… Just has to part on half-decent terms this time around,” to which pundit Tam McManus joked, “That’s us banned for another six months then?”
Martin replied: “That’s six months on to five years, probably, the way things are going. Nevertheless, we have offered great balance on the show, which doesn’t always get a mention.”
Celtic boss needs backing from the board ahead of 2025/26 campaign:
It remains unclear how much longer Rodgers’ second tenure will continue, but after the disappointment of offloading Kyogo Furuhashi without bringing in a successor, the board must provide proper backing for their manager this summer.
While the Hoops cruised to the Scottish Premiership trophy ahead of Rangers, it’s a deep run in Europe that everyone connected with Celtic Park craves, and it almost materialised before a heartbreaking Bayern Munich strike.
Rodgers’ team were seconds away from forcing extra time against the Bundesliga titleholders in the round of 32, only for Alphonso Davies to crush hopes with a leveller two minutes into stoppage time.
However, it served as a glimpse of what the Hoops could achieve if recruitment is handled correctly for the manager, potentially requiring new signings to replace both Adam Idah and Arne Engels.
Daizen Maeda may attract interest for a summer move away from Celtic, and should that happen, it will be crucial for the Hoops to reinvest even more before the 2025/26 season gets underway.
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