Cerny showed a lack of respect – Rodgers wouldn’t tolerate that behaviour

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·28 Maret 2025

Cerny showed a lack of respect – Rodgers wouldn’t tolerate that behaviour

Vaclav Cerny showed a lack of respect by throwing water over Celtic supporters says Brendan Rodgers…

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers is seen during the Premiership match between Celtic and Dundee United at Celtic Park on February 15, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

And unlike Barry Ferguson the Celtic manager would mostly certainly have a problem if one of his players did something similar to theRangers support.

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Rodgers held his long await analysis of theRangers game earlier today, the delay being down to players heading away on international duty to all around the world. But everyone was back at Lennoxtown today and having had a fortnight to ponder on a second consecutive defeat to theRangers, Rodgers has pinpointed the slow start Celtic made in both games as a reason for the losses.

More on that later, but as far as the ned-like behaviour from the latest Ibrox club, Rodgers was adamant that such behaviour wouldn’t be acceptable at Celtic.

“My honest take on it is I know the club are dealing with it. I haven’t seen anything after the game because I went away,” Brendan said. “You know when you lose a game of that magnitude, you don’t read or listen to anything because you get out of the way.

“I had heard what had happened obviously though, and you can’t do that. That’s the reality. I understand the jubilation and theRangers players have every right to celebrate with their supporters. But not in that way.”

Ferguson “didn’t have a problem” with Cerny’s behaviour

Ferguson’s remarks yesterday that as (interim) manager of theRangers he “didn’t have a problem” with Cerny’s behaviour were then put to Brendan and he was asked if he, as Celtic manager, would have an issue had it been one of his players who spray water on theRangers supporters.

Brendan considered this for a moment before deciding to give an emphatic response. “Yes, I would. Where’s the respect in that? I think it’s a lack of respect if a player is running up a touchline and he squirts a waterbottle in supporters’ faces.

Arne Engels hit by coins at Ibrox

“I certainly wouldn’t want my players to do it. In the main, in the games I’ve been involved in, the players do behave in a certain manner. It works both ways. There’s a lot that comes from the stands to coaches, managers and players.

“I think we all know there is a line that we shouldn’t cross,” Rodgers

“I think we all know there is a line that we shouldn’t cross. It is a very emotive game and it is an amazing fixture. It was great to have the fans back in, I thought they added that bit extra as well.

“You can’t antagonise, though, as in this fixture in particular that can lead to issues.”

Arne Engels hit by coins at Ibrox

We await updates from Scottish FA and Police Scotland

Brendan mentioned that the club were dealing with the issue and that will involved the Scottish FA who have said that they are looking into the matter. Why this takes two weeks is unclear. Police Scotland too have work to day in what is a clear-cut case caught on camera and is not being denied by anyone. It happened. It is an assault and it should be dealt with, it is as simple as that.

A reminder below of the criminal damage that was done to the seating at Celtic Park by theRangers support.

Scotland’s Shame – Celtic Park after theRangers visit. Photo social media

We have had Celtic staff members assaulted at Ibrox – a member of the backroom staff scared for life and more recently Arne Engels struck by a coin. Broken glass was thrown into Joe Hart’s goal at the closure threatened Copeland Road Stand on account of their racism and at least seven Celtic supporters have been injured having been struck by bottles at Ibrox.

Celtic players in a huddle before kick off with theRangers fans inside Celtic Park for the first time in two years. Celtic v theRangers, ScottishPremiership, Celtic Park, 16 March 2025 Photo Stuart Wallace Shutterstock

Fran Alonso was assaulted from behind by theRangers coach at a women’s game

Netting had to be erected to prevent further danger form the Ibrox supporters but now the offending has spread to their bench, the first such controversy since the former Celtic FC Women manager Fran Alonso was assaulted from behind by a theRangers Women’s assistant manager. Incidentally he did not lose his job.

Fran Alonso assaulted – head-butted from behind by the assistant manager of theRangers.

Where does it stop? Cerny should be punished for the offence both by the Scottish FA and through the courts. Otherwise it’s mob rule.

Here’s Brendan’s media conference from earlier today…

Fan media access on the increases everywhere – except at Celtic

Not sure if there were any Celtic fan media there today, although it was good to see one site was invited along yesterday for the short Paulo Bernardo chat with the media. The club really should decide if they want to do this or not. Many of the fan media sites have already drifted away including The Celtic Blog, 67HH, Video Celts and many more and frankly we can see their point.

Down south the Premier League clubs are embracing their own fan media while across the city it plays an increasingly prominent role. Celtic in previous seasons would issue a rota and the fan media know when they would be involved. Now it’s a random, occasional email that gets sent asking you along at short notice.

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