But it\u2019s far from done there. Dermot Desmond\u2019s bombshell statement,<\/a> released less than an hour after Rodgers\u2019 resignation, has widely been seen as a complete character assassination.<\/p>\n Describing the departed manager as \u2018divisive\u2019 and \u2018self-serving\u2019, it was clearly an attempt to paint Rodgers as the main cause of all that has gone wrong at Celtic in recent months.<\/p>\n But Rodgers isn\u2019t bound to let that slide quietly, and this ugly public fallout could be set to take another twist.<\/p>\n Ex-Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers prepares Dermot Desmond response<\/p>\n Desmond\u2019s statement was explosive, so much so that it has deflected from the sensational return of Martin O\u2019Neill.<\/a><\/p>\n The Hoops icon will return to the dugout at Celtic Park<\/a> alongside Shaun Maloney<\/a> and Mark Fotheringham.<\/a><\/p>\n READ MORE: Celtic \u2018request permission\u2019 to speak to Chelsea coach as Brendan Rodgers replacement search gathers pace<\/a><\/p>\n Rodgers\u2019 future employment prospects could be impacted by Desmond\u2019s statement, so it isn\u2019t a surprise that he is considering defending himself.<\/p>\n He is not usually the type of character to get involved in public spats, but on this occasion it doesn\u2019t feel like he has a choice.<\/p>\n The BBC\u2019s Sami Mokbel shared what he has heard about Rodgers\u2019 response on the BBC\u2019s Football Daily<\/a> podcast.<\/p>\n He said: \u201cWhat\u2019s happened over the last 24 hours, speaking purely journalistically, will be a gift that will keep on giving.<\/p>\n \u201cI can see Brendan Rodgers, potentially through the LMA (League Managers Association), making a response and making his own statement.<\/p>\n \u201cThis will just rumble on. And in terms of that statement, my understanding is that as we speak now on Tuesday, it isn\u2019t going to be tonight.<\/p>\n \u201cBut I do understand that there are potentially machinations towards Brendan Rodgers having his say and responding to that.\u201d<\/p>\n Brendan Rodgers\u2019 Celtic response could be imminent<\/p>\n The longer that Rodgers allows time to go on, the longer that he goes without a public defence.<\/p>\n![\"Celtic](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/GettyImages-946562666-1024x727.jpg\")
Photo by Mark Runnacles\/Getty Images<\/p>\n