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Brendan Rodgers saddened by criticism from campaigners accusing him of “casual sexism”

Brendan Rodgers has been left saddened by criticism from campaigners accusing him of “casual sexism” over his comment to a female reporter.

The Celtic manager said he is “sad for society” that people want to “bring him down” after saying “good girl” to a female reporter at the end of an interview on Sunday.

He has since been accused of “casual sexism” by campaigners at For Women Scotland for what he said to the BBC Scotland reporter Jane Lewis after the 3-1 win over Motherwell.

Lewis however has since said she took no offence at the comments, yet campaigners called on Rodgers to apologise.

Now the Celtic manager has addressed the issue at the start of his press conference on Tuesday…

“I will address it because I’ve been aware of it. Sadly, for me, in society now, we are either looking to offend or find something that is offensive to try to pin onto people,” he said.

“I think any journalist or reporter, or anyone in media, I’ve always based my life on relationships, I’ve always offered a warmth, respect, being courteous, and giving time to people, and that will never change.

“So obviously when there was that little bit that was out there, or big bit, however it was, then of course I feel the need to address that.

“Like I said, I deal with people in life, whether players – relationships with them and wanting to make them better – or people in the media. I’ve spoken to Jane and she wasn’t offended. We had a laugh about it, she will continue to ask me awkward questions, I am sure. But I see her every week and we have good relations like I have with most people in my life, whether that’s professional or social.

“And the irony of it is, I shared with players not so long ago the story of Jessica Watson, the young woman of 16 years of age who travelled around the world solo on a boat – the documentary I watched was really inspiring. True Spirit it was called. I actually shared it with the players in terms the inspiration they can take of a woman of that age, what she’s been through and everything else.

“So I find it saddening as much as anything, because I’m not that type of person, I could never be that, it’s not how I’m built.

“But I’m also sad for society now, because people are looking and trying to find ways to somehow bring you down if you can. And it’s not nice.”

Lewis alls issued a short statement regarding her interview with Rodgers, saying: “Clearly, the interview on Sunday has become a talking point. I don’t believe there was any offence meant by Brendan Rodgers – and for my part, there was none taken.”

Rodgers told interviewer Lewis on the title race: “The story has already been written about this group, but we will write our own story.”

Rodgers was unhappy with her questioning and said: “No, you know exactly what I mean.”

And then after being pushed again, Rodgers appeared to end the interview by adding “Done, good girl, well done.”

Campaigners at For Women Scotland said: “Rodgers owes the reporter an apology.”

Social media users reacted with Brendan Rodgers saying he’s been left saddened by criticism from campaigners accusing him of “casual sexism”…

@DominicKing_DM: Everything Brendan says here is spot on about the situation that has engulfed him for the last 48 hours. And everything he says about how he treats people is absolutely true.

@Maine_Road96: Nail on the head, society is in shambles. Offended by everything ashamed of nothing.

@ryanyounie: All he has to do is say “aye, on retrospect it comes across dead condescending and I should’ve avoided that phrasing” instead he comes out with this pish

@E8Powley: Is this the boy/girl, girl/boy campaigners 😂 pathetic just be happy in your own skin for gods sake !!!!

@philmason01: Well said Brendan. The world today is shambolic

@Fandemic1882: Mountains out of molehills. The lads a complete melon of a bloke but he clearly walks away and just says something massively throw away akin to someone saying “good lad”.

@BenSillett: The wokie feminists strike again! Absolutely pathetic the lot of them!!

@xKeithRodenx: Once again, one particular group has decided that someone else should feel offended because of the group agenda. The fact that the reporter has HAD to come out and say she took no offence shows how these groups are deluded and don’t actually understand how normal people talk!

@JordanMConnolly: He’s only gone and made it worse 😂 shifting the blame to society. Just say I acted like a bellend and Iv apologised

@anthony__hall: Bang on. People desperate to be offended by anything

@EdinJag: Not that type of person but he said it anyway. Just for lols perhaps…

@_JordanLFC96: Mad how everyone is offended bar the person themselves lol. Sums up social media

@DaveAspey: People going out of there way on a daily basis now to find something to moan about. Pathetic.

@beav1967: Absolutely spot on and well said. Pathetic that some people want to find offence with everything …. Sad times

@spacegirlgail: This absolute weirdo. Just say you’re sorry, you didn’t mean to be patronising or sexist but you can see the language and tone was not appropriate. Stop making out the woke mob are coming for you and you couldn’t possibly be sexist cos you like women

@HassyJordan: He’s nailed this and will always be a man of the people handled it spot on

@dellderek88: Society is pathetic. Imagine being offended by something that wasn’t even said to you. Even more the person it was said to wasn’t offended. Worlds turned to shit and it needs to stop now. People are going out of their way to try and make themselves offended by something 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

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