MISLEADING, DIVISIVE AND SELF SERVING

Celtic chief Desmond delivers Rodgers character assassination as O'Neill takes interim charge

- AUSTIN BARRETT

DERMOT DESMOND delivered an astonishing takedown of Brendan Rodgers and accused him of turning Celtic “toxic” after the manager sensationally walked out on the club again.

In a stunning series of developments last night, Martin O'Neill agreed to make a temporary return to the hotseat.

But even that was overshadowed by the brutal, no-holds-barred attack launched by majority shareholder Desmond on the departed boss, whom he claimed had lost the board's trust.

He described some of the Northern Irishman’s behaviour as “divisive, misleading and self-serving”.

Desmond said: “I want to acknowledge Brendan's contribution across his two spells as manager, during which he helped deliver success that forms part of the club’s modern history.

“However, I must also express my deep disappointment at the way the past several months have unfolded.

“When we brought Brendan back to Celtic two years ago, it was done with complete trust and belief in his ability to lead the club into a new era of sustained success. Unfortunately, his conduct and communication in recent months have not reflected that trust.

“In June, both Michael Nicholson and I expressed to Brendan that we were keen to offer him a contract extension, to reaffirm the club's full backing and long-term commitment to him.

He said he would need to think about it and revert. Yet in subsequent press conferences, Brendan implied the club had made no commitment to offer him a contract. That was simply untrue.