A lot of former Celtic players have had strong views on the goings on at the club this season.
Before Brendan Rodgers left Celtic on Monday evening, former teammates Neil Lennon and Chris Sutton were expressing opposing views about the club’s situation at Tynecastle.
It’s made Lennon less popular with the Celtic fans because he is siding with Dermot Desmond amid his verbal feud with Rodgers.
But all of that happened before Rodgers’ resignation as Celtic manager, and then that quite remarkable jaw-dropping statement from the club’s majority shareholder.
And now Jackie McNamara has weighed in, and he has probably made himself less popular, like Lennon.
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Jackie McNamara on Celtic fans changing their minds on Dermot Desmond
The Celtic fans will continue to protest against the board, but McNamara told Sky Sports that Desmond’s statement, which he described as ‘angry’ and ‘frustrated’, has probably changed the minds of supporters.
McNamara thinks it allows those who ‘don’t understand’, or have an insight into what life is like inside Celtic Park, change their narrative towards those in the boardroom.
“It seemed to be quite an angry or frustrated statement,” said McNamara. “From a fan’s point of view, I think you are maybe understanding a little bit more of the workings inside with that statement.
“That Brendan had a lot of say in the comings and goings of players. A lot of things fans don’t understand. Or don’t know about. I think a lot of them maybe change their opinion a little bit on the back of that.
“I think it could now (change the narrative) initially. I think the important bit is a bit of unity. When things go wrong, it’s somebody’s fault or somebody to blame, and the board has taken a lot of stick over the summer, with departures and personnel they haven’t got right or try to get in.
“Brendan has said his piece over that period as well. About certain players, and the quality he keeps talking about.
“So, I think the statement kind of puts it across from the board’s point of view. It has obviously gone now, and Brendan’s away – Dermot’s statement puts to bed with that.”
🟢 Desmond “frustrated” & “angry”
🟢 Statement proves Rodgers had final say
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🟢 Postecoglou to replace Rodgers?
Former Celtic captain Jackie McNamara discusses the changes at Parkhead and what’s next ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/tpsyJBwQDf
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) October 28, 2025
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‘The right time’ for Brendan Rodgers to leave Celtic
Whatever side you are on, the fact of the matter is, this was a relationship heading nowhere but in the gutter.
So, from that perspective, McNamara explained that it’s probably ‘right’ for all parties that a new face will be taking to the dugout.
“Possibly the right thing at the right time,” added McNamara about Rodgers’ exit, given the relationship with the board.
“Maybe the statement last month that Celtic put out. If that had maybe said a little bit more at the time. But I think fans just want answers. They wanted answers to why certain things haven’t been done. Players have left, and they feel they haven’t been replaced.”
