‘Absolutely no chance I’ll leave’ – Rodgers plays down conflict at Celtic

Manager Brendan Rodgers has refuted suggestions that his relationship with the Celtic board may be in trouble, saying that he will stay in the position until the end of his contract.

The Northern Irishman expressed his frustration with the inability to strengthen his squad enough to advance to Champions League qualification and maintain their domestic dominance.

Rodgers, who left the club in the middle of his third season during his first spell there, says history won’t repeat itself. His deal expires next summer.

He responded, “Absolutely no chance.” We’ve already done it before, but it wasn’t successful.

We discussed contract options over the summer, but I said, “I only want to think about football now that the season is starting.”

“I don’t want to think about the contract; I just want to think about the football,” he said.

“I promised I would stay here for three years, and I’ve done so.”

After Wednesday’s disappointing draw in the Champions League qualifying match against Kairat Almaty, Rodgers had previously stated that it was “not my decision” to have no new additions added prior to the tie.

There is certainly no conflict, he said during the media conference on Friday. Everyone at this club, from the board to me, wants Celtic to achieve the most outstanding results.

“I’m still in the same position,” I said. I must reclaim my seat in this place. I do, of course, want Celtic to achieve the best results in the short to medium term.

However, Celtic supporters received bad news when their manager revealed right-back Alistair Johnston would be sidelined for “some 12 weeks” due to a hamstring injury sustained in Wednesday’s 0-0 draw with Kairat.

After 35 minutes of the Champions League play-off first leg, the 26-year-old Canada defender was pulled.

Since joining Celtic from CF Montreal in the first half of 2023, Johnston has made 115 appearances.

After hosting Livingston in Saturday’s Scottish Premiership game (15:00), Rodgers’ side will face Kairat once more in Kazakhstan on Tuesday (17:45 BST).

Rodgers said, “Not great, he’ll probably be around 12 weeks.”

We just want to make sure that when Ali returns, we’re in a really good position in every competition.

On Wednesday, Rodgers said his “first look” was to replace Johnston, citing teenager Coby Donovan as another option, and that the 26-year-old Scotland right-back Anthony Ralston, 26, was available as an alternative.

Rodgers also provided updates on other health-related issues.

The manager explained that Adam Idah was having knee problems.

With a plantar fascia issue he’s had, Auston Trusty might be a little bit out.