Celtic’s fan unrest and where it leaves Brendan Rodgers’ team

The latest twist in this Celtic tale came on Friday.

While being quizzed on the transfer window – which Rodgers described as leaving him feeling “empty” – he was also questioned on a media report earlier this month about an unnamed club insider claiming the Celtic boss was trying to engineer an early exit.

The Parkhead boss, whose deal runs until next summer, was blunt in his response.

“My honest take is I thought it was a cowardly action by whoever it is,” said Rodgers.

“It’s not something you’d want. Certainly my relationships with the guys, I am close with here within the board, I would struggle to understand why.

“All I’ve tried to do is drive the club forward. Was I surprised by it? Not really.”

When asked if the person who was speaking against him should resign, he added: “I don’t think there’s any doubt.”

Then came the questions about his future. On whether he’d want to stay beyond next summer, with the answer coming back as “100%”.

Whether that happens or not remains to be seen. Next summer seems a long, long way away in the here and now for Celtic.

With a proposed fan protest scheduled tomorrow afternoon, a routine Premiership encounter with Kilmarnock has taken on another new dimension.

How Rodgers, his team and club navigate the coming days and weeks will be intriguing stuff.