Brendan Rodgers accused of 'casual sexism' as Celtic boss storms out of interview after 'good girl' comment

Brendan Rodgers accused of 'casual sexism' as Celtic boss storms out of interview after 'good girl' comment

WATCH NOW: Sports round-up as Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers storms out of interview

Lewis Winter

By Lewis Winter


Published: 26/02/2024

- 09:44

Updated: 26/02/2024

- 09:50

The manager has come under fire for his comments towards a female reporter

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has been accused of 'casual sexism' after he said 'good girl' to a reporter after Sunday's win at Motherwell.

The Northern Irish boss stormed out of the radio interview after his team came from behind to win 3-1 and narrow the gap on leaders Rangers.


Celtic and Rodgers have taken huge criticism in recent weeks after falling behind Rangers in the Scottish Premiership title race.

They were eight points clear of their Old Firm rivals as recently as December 30 but are now two points behind despite Sunday's win.

Brendan Rodgers

Brendan Rodgers has faced backlash after saying 'good girl' to a reporter

Getty

Speaking to BBC Radio Scotland after Sunday's win, Rodgers made it clear he wasn't happy with what has been said about his players.

He said: "There's a story being written about this group, but we'll write our own story."

BBC reporter Jane Lewis attempted to push Rodgers to expand on his comment.

Lewis said: "Can you give us a bit more? You don't want to give us a bit more insight by what you mean by that?"

However, the former Liverpool and Leicester boss repeatedly said no and replied: "No, no. You know exactly what I mean."

Lewis again tried to get more out of the 51-year-old, responding: "I'm actually not sure I do know exactly what you mean.

"Can you tell us? People might be interested to know. You're the one that's bringing that up. So can you not give us some more on it?"

But Rodgers clearly wanted the interview to end and replied: "Ok, done, good girl, well done, cheers."

Lewis laughed and responded: "There you go, he's done, good girl."

But the comment has not gone down well elsewhere, with a spokeswoman for the Scottish Feminist Network describing it as 'depressing'.

The spokeswoman said: "Jane Lewis was just doing her job, trying to extract an explanation from Brendan Rodgers on his cryptic comment.

"That the go-to attitude was condescension is quite illuminating, but really very depressing in 2024. We thought dinosaurs were extinct."

LATEST SPORTS NEWS:

Brendan Rodgers

Brendan Rodgers made the comment after Celtic beat Motherwell on Sunday

Getty

While campaigners at For Women Scotland want Rodgers to issue an apology to Lewis after showing 'casual sexism'.

A spokeswoman for the group said: "It's depressing that casual sexism is still embedded in sport.

"Women's achievements are underrated and dismissed, and their professional status undermined. Rodgers owes the reporter an apology."

Celtic trailed 1-0 at half-time thanks to a Blair Spittal strike but a brace from substitute Adam Idah inspired a comeback in the second half.

Brendan Rodgers

Brendan Rodgers saw his Celtic side come from behind to beat Motherwell 3-1

Getty

Speaking to Celtic's in-house media team, Rodgers again insisted his players are trying to write their own story.

He said: "I sense it, that there’s a story already written about this team and this squad, and there’s still 11 games to go.

"But I always say, we get the chance to write our own story and the story of these guys is that they are the champions and they’re that for a reason.

"For a multitude of reasons, it hasn’t maybe been quite as fluent this year, but certainly the talent can’t be questioned, as well as that mentality – so that mentality is all about belief and they showed that in the second half."

You may like