Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers stands by post-match fan comments - 'I don't need to bite my tongue'

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers declared he had the right to air his emotions as he claimed the pursuit of unity was his main motivation in calling out the reaction of some fans on Sunday.

Rodgers had argued that supporters who chanted the name of signing target Kieran Tierney were being disrespectful to fellow left-back Greg Taylor.

And, after a 3-0 win over St Mirren, he called for fans to show their support, instead of negativity, when his players need to pass the ball back to change the point of their attack.

Ahead of Wednesday's visit of Dundee United, Rodgers described his comments as an "observation" rather than a demand.

"I think everyone has the right to air their emotion and their feeling, and that was my feeling from the weekend," he said.

"Listen, the Celtic support is an amazing support base, what they give the team and how they support the team and how they travel with the team. So I'm not going to start to tell people what to sing.

"But for me it's just that bigger picture around this period of games in particular, where pitches are a wee bit lumpier than what they normally would be and the game may be a little bit slower than what it can normally be. So that isn't always the fault of the players. That's just sometimes how it is.

"That support can really help the team in what is a really, really gruelling period for us.

"I'm not going to beat about the bush when I'm talking about the bush. I'm experienced enough to say what I think and what I feel, but not in a derogatory way to anyone.

"Everything that I put myself through to come back here, I'm so, so happy that I came back here. I love my life and love my job here. But it's also important to be able to say what I think.

"Sometimes you're paid not to say what you think, but there are moments when you have to. I'm at the stage now in my career and my life where I don't need to bite my tongue."

Rodgers, whose return to Celtic in the summer of 2023 was not universally welcomed, added: "I've mentioned it sporadically over my time here, just because I know what the power of this club is when everything's together and that unity's there.

"And also what it feels like for the players to be on there and getting that amazing support.

"I can understand this off the back of the Rangers game and not playing anywhere near what our level was, I can understand that wee bit of fret and a bit of worry.

"But I think it's very, very important, my priority with the players is the performance level. That comes from training and it comes from the games, and creating that atmosphere that players can thrive in.

"So that's all I'm here to do, to manage and be the best that I possibly can be for Celtic in my time here, however long that is. And of course, I will stand up for that.

"And then once the time's done, I can step back, wait for the next manager to come in, support him and look forward to seeing 60 games of high-intensity football for 95 minutes every week. And I will be really happy."

When it was put to Rodgers that some Celtic fans had claimed their lauding of Tierney was not meant to be any slight on Taylor, the manager said: "Listen, I said before and I repeat, everyone has an opinion. Everyone has an emotion, people can say what they think, and that's okay."

Taylor, who received treatment for a blow to the nose straight after the game, remains in the midst of a contract impasse with Celtic with his deal up at the end of the season.

Rodgers said: "For me, he's a dedicated Celt. He's been at Celtic for nearly six years. I think if he plays [on Wednesday], it's 200 games as a Celtic player, which is a lot of games. He's a brilliant servant and I hope he can continue to be that throughout my time here and beyond.

"I think you see from his performance level, his concentration, his commitment to the team and to the club is always there.

"There's always a little backdrop for every player and manager, but he copes with it really, really well."