Brendan Rodgers has, like Michael Beale, always been a journalist’s dream, offering print ready quotes every bit as often as the Rangers manager.
The Celtic manager might be regretting his latest comments after being dumped out of the league cup by Derek McInnes and Kilmarnock.
Brendan Rodgers is immediately under pressure and three points for Rangers in a couple of week’s time could make things very interesting.
Speaking before his Rugby Park humbling, Rodgers was asked about his opposite number and was effusive in his praise for the Kilmarnock boss:
“Aye, there is no doubt about that. He knows the game, he is good with players, he knows what he wants and when you are well organised.
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“He was very close to getting Rangers a few years ago and why could he not manage Rangers?
“He is a former player there, he was a really good player, part of a successful era of the club.
“There is absolutely no doubt that could be one for him in the future or beyond that.
“There is no doubt he is an outstanding manager.”
Brendan Rodgers in Rangers recommendation backfire
Bearing in mind that McInnes’s record against Celtic is appalling, these remarks come across as more than a little patronising.
It’s also a thinly veiled assumption that Rangers don’t have higher aspirations than maangers like McInnes.
That Rangers don’t want more than a manager who can set up a side that is effective at what it does.
Destroying, disrupting and doing little to entertain.
Brendan Rodgers is right though, McInnes was close to the Rangers job but he decided that it wasn’t for him.
You don’t get that offer twice and if ever there was an indication that someone shouldn’t be a Rangers manager, it’s turning it down when you are the first pick.