KRIS BOYD isn’t convinced Brendan Rodgers will see out the season as Celtic boss.
The Scottish Sun’s ‘Brexit’ story sent shockwaves through the game — with senior Hoops figures concerned the Northern Irishman is trying to ‘engineer’ an exit.
5
5
5
5
SunSport columnist Boydy reckons the transfer-window clashes between Rodgers and the Parkhead hierarchy means he’s certain to go next summer at the latest.
But the Rangers legend wouldn’t be surprised if the Celtic gaffer leaves before then — amid an apparent breakdown in relations with club chiefs.
Fans are up in arms over the Hoops’ transfer-window failings and the controversial 1,000-word statement released on Saturday night.
Boyd also wonders whether the under-fire Parkhead board will soon be looking for a new boss.
Read more football stories
Speaking on our flagship ‘Go Ballistic’ programme, Boyd said: “I think Rodgers will be in charge for the weekend and his press conference this week will be interesting.
“But there is no doubt that it’s finished — it’s OVER with Brendan Rodgers and Celtic.
“A couple of weeks ago you felt there was maybe a contract on the table. That won’t be there now.
“There is clearly a disagreement between Rodgers and the hierarchy, whoever that may be.
“I can’t see him being there beyond the summer.
“Whether he gets to the summer, that’s a different question. I am not sure he will.
“I don’t think he will walk away because of what he has said previously. It might be a case that it comes to a mutual agreement — but we all know what that means.
“Both are sitting there right now and it’s a case of who is going to blink first? It can’t continue. There’s no way it can.”
Rodgers spoke publicly about his transfer window frustrations after Celtic failed to strengthen the frontline for the Champions League play-off defeat to Kairat Almaty.
The Hoops were then scrambling to sign free agent Kelechi Iheanacho after flogging Adam Idah to Swansea City.
But Boyd insists the Celtic board HAVE backed Rodgers since his return to the club in 2023.
And he doesn’t see how the Hoops can properly strengthen under him in January — if he’s entering the final few months of his deal.
He added: “Rodgers has spent a helluva lot of money and for the board to get all the blame is wrong for me.
“There was a big outlay on players last summer who don’t regularly start games.
“Can Celtic trust him to strengthen their squad for another manager to come in?
“I don’t think they can.
“Celtic won’t change their transfer policy because it has been successful. Why would you rip that up for a manager who is in the final months of his contract?”
Celtic fans reacted furiously to the club’s weekend statement — with several leading supporter organisations placing votes of no confidence in the board.
5
There look certain to be protests when the Hoops head to Kilmarnock on Sunday and Boyd doesn’t see the anger among the fanbase dying down.
He said: “This ain’t going away. The Celtic fans have had enough.
“Brendan Rodgers has come full circle in their eyes. Some of them didn’t want him back and now they are saying you couldn’t grudge him walking away like he did the first time.
“It is a full-blown crisis. People are stripping back everything.
“If Celtic had signed Kasper Dolberg on deadline day, we probably wouldn’t be talking about this. It would have papered over the cracks.
“But they didn’t, they were then scrambling about and there is in-house fighting.”
Boyd, meanwhile, has backed Daizen Maeda to get over the disappointment of not getting a summer transfer.
The Celtic ace revealed he wanted to quit the club on deadline day — only for a big move to be blocked.
But Boyd believes the Japanese star will still deliver for the Hoops.
He said: “There are players where you can tell straight away if they’ve chucked it.
“I don’t see Daizen Maeda as one of those players.
“People will say his performances haven’t been great recently but his workrate is the same.
“There have been bad touches and misses, but that’s nothing to do with his head not being there.
Read more on the Scottish Sun
“Until the day he leaves Celtic, he will give his all.
“Maeda won’t mess about like some other players would.”
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
