A year after Brendan Rodgers dramatically quit Celtic, the club is still feeling the shockwaves, with unresolved structural issues and a squad reliant on loan signings, while the former manager thrives in Saudi Arabia.
The Day That Shook Parkhead
October 27, 2025, marked 12 months since Rodgers' departure, a date that has become infamous in Celtic's history. The afternoon had been filled with speculation, with messages suggesting the manager had been sacked. This came after a heavy defeat at Tynecastle to pace-setters Hearts, adding to months of frustration over signings and cooling contract talks.
That Monday evening, Rodgers quit. Then Dermot Desmond released a statement so scathing it had to be checked to ensure it wasn't an AI-constructed hoax, with newspapers even consulting lawyers over potential defamation risks. Desmond accused the manager of creating a toxic atmosphere and putting bullseyes on the backs of directors, saying: "What has failed recently was not due to our structure or model, but to one individual's desire for self-preservation at the expense of others."
Recovery Mode and Unfinished Business
In the 12 months since, Rodgers has kept his own counsel, saying nothing publicly. Celtic clung to their crown with Martin O'Neill delivering a double and steering the side to the top of the Premiership again. However, to many, Rodgers has been vindicated, as the club's transfer window problems have remained long after his departure.
Inside Parkhead, there's still a feeling Rodgers manoeuvred his departure, with insiders pointing to his reluctance in contract talks and walking away without a payout as signs his move to Saudi Arabia was long in the pipeline. The club has seen the Wilfried Nancy experiment last 33 days, Paul Tisdale not survive the January clear out, and O'Neill steady the ship despite turning 75 next March.
O'Neill has made one of the best starts to a league campaign in 20 years with nine wins out of 10, but Champions League exit to LASK, league and Premier Sport Cup defeats to Rangers, and three Europa League losses suggest lessons have not been learned. There's still no replacement for Tisdale, no official head of recruitment, and no permanent chairman to replace Peter Lawwell.
Rodgers Thriving in Saudi Arabia
Meanwhile, Rodgers is in a Saudi Pro League title race with Al Qadsiah, just four points off the top, and soon to face fellow ex-Celt Ange Postecoglou's Al Nassr. Former Hoops keeper Scott Bain, speaking at the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup draw, said: "I'm really not surprised he's doing so well out there. I know Celtic fans have a split opinion on him regarding the way he left the first time and potentially the second time. But he's a top, top-level manager."
Bain, who was part of both Rodgers' reigns, recalled his first start at Ibrox, where the manager had prepared for every scenario. He said: "Tactically, I just thought he was excellent. I remember my first start at Ibrox. He came to me in the morning and told me I was starting. We went to the meeting room and he had on the board what happens if they score first, what happens if we score first, and what happens if we get a man sent off. Practically everything he had on that board happened. I was just thinking, 'this man is a genius!'"
Bain insisted Rodgers' legacy should be intact, saying: "We don't ever really appreciate things – especially in this country – until we're further down the line. I think people in another 10 years will appreciate that spell of unknown success that he brought in and started."
Rodgers' legacy might change over the years, but 12 months on from his exit, his shadow still looms large over Celtic Park.
