Brendan Rogers Raises Alarm That A Ban On Him Now Is Calculated Attempt To Favour Rangers In This Crucial…
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers didn’t hold back after defeat to Hearts earlier this month, and his comments’ full ramifications are yet to become clear.
The Bhoys boss let rip at VAR official John Beaton and referee Don Robertson after decisions to send Hyunjan Yang off and to award Hearts a very dubious penalty.
The Scottish FA have chosen to take him to task and hand him a two-match touchline ban, something that Celtic and Rodgers will appeal at an upcoming hearing.
That will take place next Thursday, March 28th. The date means that if his ban is upheld, Rodgers will be sitting in the stands for matches away to Livingston and Rangers at a crucial part of the title race.
Some may consider it a potential factor in which way the points go in those games. However, former Celtic captain Paul Lambert reckons it shouldn’t have too much impact.
Paul Lambert on potential Brendan Rodgers ban
For him, this part of the season is all down to the players. He said [The Celtic Way]: “It doesn’t really matter a jot if Brendan is in the technical area for the Rangers game or if he is serving an SFA ban.
“He will have his players well-drilled, disciplined and organised. That’s when the Celtic players on the pitch will need to take responsibility. The onus will be on them to perform even if their manager is not there.
“Brendan knows the importance and the hype of the Rangers game but he can only take the players so far. The rest is up to the Celtic players and what they do on the day.”
I’m inclined to agree with Lambert, I don’t think it will make much difference to what happens on the pitch. Rodgers will ensure his messages and instructions are relayed for different scenarios during play itself.
Rodgers was right to say what he did in the wake of the Hearts game. The penalty decision in particular was baffling and seemingly inconsistent with other incidents in Scotland this season.
If the SFA want to ban him, that’s their prerogative. They’ve already shown with their actions that all is not well in a refereeing department, announcing a significant departure and review.