In the aftermath of a celebratory moment for Celtic following a big victory over Motherwell, the narrative has instead shifted to the remarks made by Brendan Rodgers during a BBC interview with Jane Lewis.
The discussion, which initially aimed to shed light on the perceived external narrative shaping the team’s story, quickly devolved into an uncomfortable display of condescension and, arguably, misogyny.
Rodgers’ interaction with Lewis was marked by a disheartening tone of patronisation, particularly evident in his dismissive response to Lewis’ probing for further clarification on his comments.
The situation deteriorated when Rodgers concluded the interview with the words, “Okay, are we done? Well done, good girl, cheers,” before abruptly departing.
This choice of words, particularly the use of “good girl,” has ignited a firestorm of criticism. And naturally it’s Celtic fans’ instinct to come to the aid of their manager. In this instance, take the green tinted specs off and acknowledge it’s something Rodgers didn’t need to say.
The argument that Rodgers has used similar language post-match to Sky’s male interviewer does little to excuse the incident. He concluded “good man”, which is not patronising in the slightest, as a man is what we’d use for a grown-up. Had he said “boy” then the conversation would, of course, revolve around how rude he was towards him.
The context, tone, and implications of addressing a woman in such a manner shouldn’t be overlooked or dismissed as mere colloquialism. Nor should it be dismissed under the lazy man’s argument ‘you can’t say anything nowadays’ which is abundantly not the case.
It begs the question of the message being sent to fans and the broader community about respect and professionalism. I hold Celtic managers to a higher standard and Brendan dipped below it.
This sort of thing, while being blown out of proportion by some in the media deserves debate and challenges supporters to look beyond the immediate affiliations and loyalties to their football club and consider the broader implications.
If the roles were reversed, and a manager from across the city made similar remarks, the outcry would likely be unanimous and swift. It’s a moment for reflection on the standards we hold for individuals in positions of influence and the values we champion as a society.
While Rodgers’ contributions to Celtic and football at large cannot be understated, this incident is a stark reminder that respect and professionalism should never be sidelined.
It’s crucial for figures like Rodgers to lead by example, both in victory and in dialogue. As fans, we must demand better and continue to advocate for an environment where respect transcends rivalry, and gendered condescensions are left firmly in the past.
