Brendan Rodgers’ frustration over team leaks at Celtic has echoes of a similar problem his predecessor Neil Lennon dealt with during his second stint as manager. Following Celtic’s emphatic 6-0 win over Aberdeen in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final, Rodgers made it clear he intends to address the issue after the team’s lineup was once again leaked on social media before the official announcement. Rodgers criticized the anonymous source, saying that anyone sharing such information “isn’t a Celtic supporter” and is giving the opposition an unnecessary advantage.
Neil Lennon faced a comparable issue in 2019, when he even enlisted forensic IT experts to investigate leaks from within the club. Speaking on BBC’s 5 Live last year, Lennon recounted how his team selections would consistently appear online soon after being finalized, often the night before a game. For instance, Lennon remembered being shocked to see Jonny Hayes’ surprise role on the left wing leaked on Twitter ahead of a key match in September 2019. He believed someone within the team or club was benefiting from these disclosures, perhaps even for financial gain. While the forensic measures briefly stopped the leaks, they eventually resumed, frustrating Lennon.
Rodgers, recognizing the reality of modern communication, appears willing to pursue similar countermeasures if the problem persists. While the leaked lineup didn’t ultimately help Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin much—given Celtic’s resounding performance—Rodgers remains committed to addressing the issue. He remarked that there should be an element of surprise and intensity when teams face Celtic, something he hopes to preserve by preventing further leaks.
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