Brendan Rodgers Mocks Rangers and Aberdeen coach After Dominant Win at Pittodrie
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers did not hold back following his side’s emphatic victory over Aberdeen using his post-match interview to take a thinly veiled jab at both Rangers coach Barry Ferguson and Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin.
Celtic put in a commanding performance at Pittodrie, dismantling Aberdeen with a super win that reaffirmed their dominance in the Scottish Premiership title race. But it wasn’t just the scoreline making headlines Rodgers’ words after the final whistle stole the spotlight.
When asked about the performance and the title implications, Rodgers shifted gears to address recent comments made by Ferguson and Thelin. With a wry smile, he quipped:
“Well, some people talk a big game during the week maybe they should spend more time on the training pitch and less in the press.”
Though he didn’t name names directly, it was clear who the remarks were aimed at. Barry Ferguson had recently made headlines by suggesting that the “pressure was starting to mount on Celtic” and implied that Rangers were mentally stronger heading into the final stretch of the season. Meanwhile, Jimmy Thelin, had confidently claimed his side would “go toe-to-toe” with Celtic at home.
Rodgers’ response came after his team completely dismantled Aberdeen, exposing their tactical flaws and leaving their home fans stunned.
“We’ve heard a lot of noise recently,” Rodgers continued. “But football is played on the pitch, not in interviews. I have great respect for all managers in this league, but I prefer to let results speak. And today, I think we spoke very clearly.”
Rodgers’ comments sparked immediate reactions across Scottish football media and fan bases, with some praising his confidence and others accusing him of arrogance. On social media, Celtic fans were quick to embrace their manager’s swagger, while Rangers and Aberdeen supporters criticized the perceived lack of respect.
Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin, who was visibly frustrated on the sidelines throughout the match, responded with a more measured tone in his own post-match interview:
“Brendan has his way of doing things. We have ours. Today was a hard lesson, but we’ll learn from it. This is a project, and we’re building something long-term.”
Barry Ferguson, who was in the stands scouting Celtic ahead of next weekend’s Old Firm clash, declined to comment directly but reportedly looked unimpressed when told about Rodgers’ remarks.
The result leaves Celtic top of the Premiership with a growing goal difference advantage, and it sends a strong warning to their rivals as the season heads into its final weeks. The timing of Rodgers’ comments was no accident — next weekend sees Celtic face Rangers in a crucial showdown that could all but decide the title.
Former players and pundits weighed in on the situation, with BBC Scotland analyst Stephen McGinn calling Rodgers’ comments “mind games, pure and simple.”
“Rodgers knows exactly what he’s doing. He’s turning the pressure back onto Rangers and stirring the pot ahead of next week,” McGinn said.
As the Scottish Premiership reaches its climax, Rodgers’ message is clear: Celtic aren’t just here to win they’re here to remind everyone who’s boss. Whether his words will fire up Rangers and Aberdeen or come back to haunt him remains to be seen, but one thing is certain the drama is far from over.
