The ex-Hoops boss has kept his shtum despite Desmond’s astonishing public takedown
17:00, 13 Feb 2026
Brendan Rodgers has made a stunning impact at Al-Qadsiah
Brendan Rodgers’ name was dragged through the mire by Dermot Desmond. But the divisive Celtic figure’s stock is soaring again after a sensational start with Al Qadsiah.
Parkhead powerbroker Desmond’s thermonuclear character assassination of Rodgers in October gobsmacked the footballing world. The most successful living manager in the Hoops’ history was branded untrustworthy, a purveyor of lies and a spreader of falsehoods in a brutal parting shot from the club’s principal shareholder.
Cynics questioned the motives behind the tycoon’s explosive public takedown. If the intention was to tarnish Rodgers’ standing in the game, it hasn’t worked.
Rather than fire back at the powerful Irish billionaire, Rodgers kept his counsel.
Just months later, his next move was entirely predictable – a lucrative switch to the Middle East, penning a mega-bucks deal with Al Qadsiah.
The 53-year-old’s Saudi Pro League bow ended in an underwhelming 1-1 draw at home to Damac.
Since then, though, it’s been lift-off.
Rodgers has transformed Al Qadsiah from mid-table anonymity into genuine title contenders – all in front of modest average home crowds of around 5,000.
Celtic powerbroker Dermot Desmond(Image: PA)
A 5-1 demolition of Al-Hazm in January saw him set a new club record, becoming the first manager in their history to go six games unbeaten.
Fast forward to now and Rodgers, supported by former Celtic lieutenants John Kennedy and Jack Lyons, remains undefeated.
He has won nine of his 12 matches in charge, drawing three and collecting 30 points in the process.
His relatively modest squad have plundered 30 goals and conceded just 10 during that surge, climbing to fourth – just three points behind joint-top, PIF-backed moneybags Al Hilal and Al-Ahli.
Rodgers also masterminded an eye-catching 2-1 victory over Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr, exchanging pleasantries with the Portuguese icon beforehand.
He then swept aside star-studded Al-Ittihad, leaving household names like Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante and Fabinho to lick their wounds.
With 13 games remaining, Rodgers may yet fancy his chances of delivering a fairytale title triumph – and writing the most emphatic response of all to his former Celtic paymaster.
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