Celtic reject FOURTH Matt O’Riley bid from Atalanta as Italians still short of valuation

Brendan Rodgers insists he doesn’t care about the perception of Celtic from outside the club.

The manager bristled as he was asked what he felt was the opinion from onlookers from the outside following his recent suggestion that a “crisis narrative” had appeared from outwith the club. Rodgers was clear that he felt eight wins from nine matches was strong form but some sections of the support have shown some nervousness after their side allowed a seven point lead at the top of the Premiership over rivals Rangers to dissipate.

Rodgers was blunt, though, when asked what he thought the perception was as he said: “To be fair, I don’t care. I don’t care to be honest, my focus is with the team.

“I understand and I get the feeling that you have to create that and I understand this city that the two teams can’t be doing well. I know when I was at Liverpool and Everton can be doing well at the same time. But that can’t happen here.

“One has to be pushed down and for us it’s us because we’re at the top. We slipped up in early December and that narrative has continued right the way through, even though the players have won eight games, some tough games, and drawn one.

“I can’t control that, what I can control is the mindset and attitude of the team and knowing that over the next period of games we’ll be really focused and aggressive, and attack the game.

“What everyone else says, I couldn’t care less. Does it light a fire in me? No. Not at all. I don’t need what you guys say to spike me up.”