BBC reporter breaks silence on Brendan Rodgers interview after being called 'good girl' by Celtic boss

BBC reporter breaks silence on Brendan Rodgers interview after being called 'good girl' by Celtic boss

WATCH NOW: Brendan Rodgers saying 'good girl' to a BBC reporter

Lewis Winter

By Lewis Winter


Published: 27/02/2024

- 13:50

Updated: 27/02/2024

- 14:52

The Northern Irish manager has faced criticism since the interview surfaced on Sunday

BBC reporter Jane Lewis insists she was not offended by Brendan Rodgers' 'good girl' comment in an interview on Sunday.

Celtic boss Rodgers has faced criticism after he made the remark towards Lewis before cutting short the interview following his team's win at Motherwell.


Celtic came from a goal down to beat Motherwell 3-1 at Fir Park and close the gap on leaders Rangers to two points.

Rodgers and his players have come under severe criticism in recent weeks after blowing an eight-point lead they had over their Old Firm rivals.

The former Liverpool manager defended his players in the interview with Lewis for BBC Radio Scotland, saying: "There's a story being written about this group, but we'll write our own story."

Lewis attempted to get more detail from Rodgers, responding: "Can you give us a bit more? You don't want to give us a bit more insight by what you mean by that?"

But the 51-year-old refused to do so, replying: "No, no. You know exactly what I mean."

Lewis again pushed for Rodgers to expand on his comment, saying: "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?"

However, Rodgers had clearly had enough and abruptly ended the interview.

He concluded by saying: "Ok, done, good girl, well done, cheers," before walking away.

Rodgers has received criticism for what has been described as 'casual sexism', with footage of the interview since being released.

But Lewis has now spoken publicly for the first time and insists that she has not been affected by the remark.

Lewis said: "Clearly, the interview on Sunday has become a talking point.

"I don’t believe there was any offence meant by Brendan Rodgers – and for my part there was none taken."

Campaigners for women's groups have hit out at Rodgers after Sunday's interview emerged.

A spokeswoman for the Scottish Feminist Network criticised the 'condescension' from the manager.

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Brendan Rodgers

Brendan Rodgers has received criticism after saying 'good girl' to a female reporter

BBC

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."

Scottish Campaign group For Women Scotland also called for Rodgers to apologise for what they describe as 'casual sexism'.

A spokeswoman 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."

Brendan Rodgers

Brendan Rodgers ended the interview abruptly after he called the reporter a 'good girl'

BBC

But GB News presenter Eamonn Holmes defended Rodgers, insisting there was no issue with what he said.

Holmes said of his fellow Northern Irishman: "He meant good girl. Brendan Rodgers is from Carnock in Northern Ireland. We say ‘good girl’ all the time.

"We are admonished for it all the time because it’s not contemporary.

"I can honestly tell you that Northern Irish people will say ‘good girl, good boy, good lad’."

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