I have seen some sights in my years following Scottish football, but Brendan Rodgers standing in full traditional Saudi dress while holding a firearm might just take the biscuit. The former Celtic manager appeared in a promotional video for his club Al Qadsiah, celebrating Saudi Arabia’s Founding Day, and the images have been circulating across social media with predictable reactions from the Scottish football faithful.
For those who need a wee reminder, Rodgers walked out on Celtic back in October after the reigning champions had slipped eight points behind Hearts. It came after they dropped 10 points in their opening nine matches. The timing was poor, the manner was worse, and Celtic have not exactly thrived since his departure, sitting third in the Scottish Premiership after a 2-1 defeat to Hibs on Sunday.
“It probably looks a lot cooler on other people, but I think today is about respecting Founding Day here in Saudi Arabia, and of course, I will always respectfully wear it,” Rodgers said in the clip, after being told he looked sharp. He went on to offer his “sincere congratulations to all of the people of Saudi Arabia” and spoke about the country’s “really rich heritage and a really exciting future ahead.”
Just seven weeks after leaving Parkhead, Rodgers took the Al Qadsiah job in the Saudi Pro League. That timeline alone tells you everything about where his priorities lay. This was not a man broken by the pressures of the job. This was a man who had his eye on the exit before he ever reached it.
Celtic’s largest single shareholder Dermot Desmond was blunt in his assessment after the departure, accusing Rodgers of being “divisive, misleading, and self-serving” and claiming his behaviour in those final months had created a “toxic atmosphere” at the club. Strong words from a man not known for public outbursts.
The footage of Rodgers in Saudi Arabia will sting some Celtic supporters who still feel let down by his second departure. Others will shrug and say good riddance. Either way, the man who delivered back to back titles during his second spell in charge seems to be enjoying himself in the Saudi sunshine, gun in hand, traditional dress on, and Celtic now somebody else’s problem entirely.