Brendan Rodgers Faces Backlash: Defends ‘Good Girl’ Remark Towards BBC Reporter Amidst Celtic Boss Criticism
Brendan Rodgers has defended himself after he was accused of being sexist in an interview with a female reporter after a Celtic match
Brendan Rodgers, the Celtic manager, has defended himself against claims of sexism. He said that society is now trying to “find something that is offensive”. This comes after he ended an interview with BBC Sport reporter Jane Lewis by calling her a “good girl”.
Lewis had asked him to further explain his comments after Celtic’s last-minute win at Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership. The journalister later said she didn’t think Rodgers meant to offend her and she wasn’t upset by his words. However, women’s groups have come out to criticise the Northern Irish coach’s behaviour.
The Scottish Feminist Network joked that they “thought dinosaurs were extinct”, referring to Rodgers. While For Women Scotland accused him of “casual sexism” and said he should say sorry.
Rodgers is upset that this became such a big issue. “I have spoken to Jane,” he said. “She wasn’t offended. We had a laugh about it, she will continue to ask me awkward questions, I’m sure. But I see her every week and we have good relations, like I have with most people in my life, whether that’s professional or social.
Rodgers cut in with a firm “No, no, no”, and Lewis continued: “But you’re the one that’s bringing that up, so can you not give us some more on it?”
Wrapping up the chat, Rodgers ended with: “Okay? Done. Good girl. Well done.”
The Scottish Feminist Network commented that “that the go-to attitude of a manager of a winning team was condescension is quite illuminating but really very depressing in 2024”.
“Sadly for me, in society now, we are either looking to offend or find something that is offensive to try and pin on to people.
“I find it saddening as much as anything because, one, I am not that type of person, I can never be that, it’s not how I’m built. But also it saddened me for society now because people are just trying to find ways to somehow bring you down if they can. It’s not nice.”
In the BBC interview, Rodgers seemed a bit annoyed after his team needed late goals from Adam Idah and Luis Palma to beat Motherwell 3-1. This win keeps Celtic close to Rangers at the top of the league.
“There’s a story being written about this group, but we will write our own story,” Rodgers said to Lewis.
Lewis then asked him: “You don’t want to give us a bit more insight into what you mean by that?” But Rodgers answered sharply: “You know exactly what I mean.”