The Hoops\u2019 majority shareholder Dermot Desmond said at the time of Rodgers\u2019 claims that he lacked support at boardroom level: \u201cIn June, both Michael Nicholson and I expressed to Brendan that we were keen to offer him a contract extension, to reaffirm the club’s full backing and long-term commitment to him.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe said he would need to think about it and revert. Yet in subsequent press conferences, Brendan implied that the club had made no commitment to offer him a contract. That was simply untrue.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rodgers also claimed to have been let down by the ambition of Celtic bosses when it comes to transfer business. He said: \u201cThere’s no way you’ll go into a race and be given the keys to a Honda Civic and say, ‘I want you to drive it like a Ferrari’. It’s not going to happen.\u201d<\/p>\n
Desmond was not having that either and bit back by saying: \u201cEvery player signed and every player sold during his tenure was done so with Brendan’s full knowledge, approval and endorsement. Any insinuation otherwise is absolutely false.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn reality, he was given final say over all football matters and was consistently backed in the recruitment process – including record investment in players he personally identified and approved.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen his comments were made publicly, I sought to address them directly. Brendan and I met for over three hours at his home in Scotland to discuss the issue. Despite ample opportunity, he was unable to identify a single instance where the club had obstructed or failed to support him. The facts did not match his public narrative.\u201d<\/p>\n