Brendan Rodgers insists Premier Sports deal snub by Celtic is 'reward' for fans despite Aberdeen TV blackout
The Scottish champions ran out 3-2 winners in the friendly clash with Sligo Rovers
Brendan Rodgers insists Celtic have put fans before finances as he backed Parkhead chiefs TV blackout.
The Hoops boss is fully behind the decision to knock back extra dosh from Premier Sports that will mean the top of the table clash with Aberdeen after the international break cannot be screened live. Celtic – who last night saw off Sligo Rovers in a friendly clash in Ireland thanks to a Luis Palma hat trick – will stick to their guns and hold on to the 3pm Saturday kick-off rather than pocket a potential £75,000 a game extra.
Rodgers said: “I think the club has shown they have really thought about the supporters. They could have easily taken the money. But they have kept it there for supporters who come and see the games. It’s a shame, it would have been a great game for television, but it’ s not to be. It allows us to get a good run into next week and a bit of recovery time before we play again on the Wednesday (against Atalanta in the Champions League).
“We will be ready to go. You can’t win really when it comes to this kind of thing. But the club have put the fans first – and that is important.
“Celtic get a lot of fixtures moved. That is why I was so happy for the supporters at Ross County. Thousands of the travelled every which way to get to Dortmund and obviously the result didn’t go our way.
“The come back and they have to get up for a noon kick off at Ross County, three or four hours away. People come in from all over the country, come in from Ireland, they get late flights, early mornings, you name it.
“So for us to have that support is so important of us, so it was nice to reward them with a win. We know Celtic supporters will go anywhere at any time, but it’s about offering that bit of respect to them when we can, when it’s something we can control like the kick-off times. So I think the club has made a very good decision.”
Rodgers took a fringe side to Ireland to face Sligo Rovers – and they were given a minor scare. Luis Palma struck twice in stoppage time to secure the win to add to his earlier opener, with the League of Ireland outfit ahead until late after a couple of gaffes from Scott Bain.
The Hoops boss was pleased with the work-out, with Palma making an impact along with some of the Parkhead young players. Rodgers said: “The objective for us was to bring Celtic bring to Ireland which is always important. It was about getting some minutes into the legs of some senior players who haven’t played a great deal so that was a good exercise.
“There was also the opportunity for the young players to come in and see how they played with a bit of a crowd against a good team. Obviously the chance to inspire young people here. I really enjoyed the game and you could see Sligo played some really good football.”
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