Rodgers is out of contract at the end of the season with Postecoglou already under pressure at Forest

15:10, 23 Sep 2025Updated 15:11, 23 Sep 2025

(Image: Nottingham Forest FC via Getty I)

Nottingham Forest boss Ange Postecoglou could be on Celtic’s shortlist to replace Brendan Rodgers by the end of the season.

That is according to Pat Nevin with the Australian getting off to a sluggish start at the City Ground.

The Treble-winning Celtic boss left Glasgow’s east end for Tottenham Hotspur in 2023 – finishing fifth in the Premier League in his first season before lifting the Europa League last term.

However, that trophy wouldn’t be enough to keep him in North London – and Postecoglou was axed after finishing 17th in the table.

But he would land another shot at the English top flight after replacing Nuno Espirito Santo earlier this month – but has yet to secure his first win.

His first game ended in a 3-0 defeat to Arsenal before a shock 3-2 loss to Swansea City sent Forest crashing out of the Carabao Cup.

Last weekend, Forest were held 1-1 by Burnley and Nevin detects pressure is rising on the boss already going into Thursday’s Europa League clash with Real Betis.

With Rodgers’ out of contract in the summer, the former Chelsea star reckons that Postecoglou could be in the running for the hot seat – if he is shown the door by Forest – alongside out of work Damien Duff.

He told BetIdeas.com: “Celtic fans would love Damien Duff. I can remember once a lot of people said that Henrik Larsson would be a great manager for Celtic. And then people started watching his managerial career and they went, maybe not.

“Celtic see themselves as as big a club as any Premier League side in England. They just go for the best man. Back to that one again.

“You never know, Ange Postocoglou might be available again by that time – by the end of the season.

“It looks like Brendan will last until the end of this season, and you wouldn’t be surprised if he left then.

“Celtic will scour the planet again, and they might not go as far as Australia this time, but Damien will be a name, but he’ll be a name on a pretty long list.”

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers

Rodgers’ contract will run out at the end of the campaign amid the backdrop of supporters protesting against the board – while the man in the dugout hasn’t been shy in criticising the Parkhead decision-markers.

On the field, the Hoops sit joint top of the Premiership and booked their spot in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final with a win over Partick Thistle on Sunday.

And former Celtic star Charlie Mulgrew reckons “egos” could be stopping talks from ramping up between the club and boss.

He told Go Radio: “I got the impression (against Patrick Thistle) he was now just thinking, ‘let’s get on with it.’ I’m concentrating on the football department. I’m giving it my all.

“You could see that with the team. They were well drilled in what they were doing, and they’d worked on forward passing.

“He’s all in for the team, trying to get the best. Whatever happens with his contract situation, the board will organically sort itself out. It can be sorted. Everything can be sorted.

“It’s just about swallowing egos and having the conversation between a few members and discussing what the script is with Brendan Rodgers going forward. And I’m sure that, in the meantime, while that’s happening, he’ll be trying to win games for Celtic.”