Brendan Rodgers is set to return to Glasgow for a special live event that could finally give Celtic supporters the opportunity to hear his own account of two departures that have remained major talking points throughout his Celtic story.
The former Hoops manager will appear at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on June 14, 2027, for an event organised by A Celtic State of Mind.
Tickets are due to go on sale at 10am on October 2, with prices set at £25 and £35 before booking fees.
While the evening is expected to look back across Rodgers’ two spells in charge of Celtic, there is already significant interest in the prospect of him discussing how both periods eventually came to an end.
That part of the conversation could attract particular attention because supporters have heard plenty about the departures over the years, but have rarely had the opportunity to hear Rodgers discuss them directly in this kind of setting.
Rodgers Set To Address Celtic Departures
Speaking on A Celtic State of Mind, Paul John Dykes made it clear that the two departures will not simply be avoided during the event.
For many Celtic supporters, that could make the night far more intriguing than a standard discussion about Rodgers’ time in the dugout.
“You can’t really speak to Brendan Rodgers without speaking about two departures, because they’re a big part of his story. So we will be speaking about that,” Dykes explained.
The comments immediately underline the importance of the subject, particularly because Rodgers has been at the centre of intense discussion surrounding both exits. The event is therefore expected to cover more than memories of matches, trophies and footballing success, with the circumstances surrounding the departures likely to form a significant part of the conversation.
For supporters who have followed the Rodgers story closely, hearing the former Celtic manager explain events in his own words could provide a different perspective from the statements, reports and interpretations that have circulated previously.
How The Glasgow Event Came Together
Dykes also revealed that the idea for the event was not simply put forward from a distance, with he and Tony Haggerty travelling to speak directly with Rodgers about the possibility of bringing him back to Glasgow for a night with Celtic supporters.
The message to Rodgers was straightforward and centred on the relationship between the manager and the supporters. Dykes explained that they wanted to give Rodgers “some kind of a welcome back to the football club by the fans, not by the board, but by the fans and an opportunity for you to speak to them again and engage with them again.”
Rodgers was receptive to the proposal, although the timing was not immediately right. Dykes explained that the manager was open to the idea, but the plans were left for a period before discussions were eventually finalised in recent weeks.
“And Brendan was up for it, obviously it’s all about timing, timing wasn’t right at that point so we left it a wee while and then obviously in the last few weeks this has really been wrapped up,” Dykes said.
A Chance For Rodgers To Speak Directly
That direct connection with supporters could be one of the defining features of the evening. Rather than hearing Rodgers’ views through a written statement or through comments attributed to people around the club, Celtic fans will have the chance to listen to him discuss his own experiences in a live environment.
The timing of the event also gives supporters plenty of opportunity to consider what questions they would most like answered. Rodgers’ two spells at Celtic have generated substantial debate, and his departures remain particularly important chapters whenever his relationship with the club is discussed.
Dykes was also keen to stress that supporters should not necessarily expect the evening to become an attack on Celtic. His view is that Rodgers can discuss difficult subjects while still approaching the issues with respect for the club and its supporters.
“What I would say is, I think that if he’s talking about a situation, he’ll talk about it in a respectful way,” Dykes explained.
That point could prove important because the discussion around Rodgers’ Celtic departures has often been emotional. The event is being presented as an opportunity for conversation and engagement rather than an occasion designed simply to reopen old arguments.
The Two Departures Remain A Major Talking Point
Rodgers’ first Celtic departure came during the 2018/19 season, bringing an end to his first spell at the club. His second spell also eventually ended amid considerable discussion about what had happened behind the scenes.
Those two moments are now an established part of the wider Rodgers-Celtic story, and Dykes believes they cannot realistically be separated from any serious conversation about the manager’s time in Glasgow. That is why the subject is expected to feature prominently when the former Hoops boss takes to the stage.
The important difference this time is that Rodgers himself will be in the room. Supporters will therefore have the opportunity to hear how he remembers the circumstances, what he believes were the key factors and how he views those moments with the benefit of time.
It could also allow Rodgers to provide context around issues that have previously been discussed largely through reports and second-hand accounts. Whether he chooses to go into extensive detail remains to be seen, but Dykes’ comments suggest the subject will not simply be brushed aside.
Celtic Supporters Will Be Watching Closely
There is naturally likely to be considerable curiosity among Celtic supporters ahead of the event. Rodgers remains a significant figure in the club’s recent history, and the chance to hear him reflect personally on his experiences is likely to generate discussion well before June 2027.
Supporters will also be able to assess Rodgers’ comments in the context of Celtic’s current situation at that time. The club’s form, league position, European ambitions and relationship between the supporters and the board will all shape the atmosphere surrounding the event when it eventually takes place.
From a football perspective, Rodgers’ wider legacy at Celtic is about much more than the circumstances of his departures. His spells in charge have included periods of strong attacking football, domestic success and significant expectations, meaning any retrospective conversation is likely to cover tactical ideas, player development and the pressures that come with managing Celtic.
That broader context could make the evening particularly interesting because Rodgers will be discussing his Celtic career rather than simply one isolated incident. The departures may dominate the headlines beforehand, but supporters are also likely to want insight into what it was actually like to manage the club during two different periods.
Event Already Discussed At Celtic
There is another intriguing element to the story, with Dykes claiming that the planned event has already been discussed within Celtic. According to him, the club is aware of the arrangement between A Celtic State of Mind and Rodgers.
“I know, I actually know for a fact that this has been discussed at Celtic already, the fact that we are in cahoots with Brendan Rodgers for this event. They won’t be happy with that…” Dykes said.
That claim is likely to add another layer of interest around the event, particularly given that Rodgers is expected to discuss subjects connected to the way both of his Celtic spells ended. However, Dykes’ wider comments suggest the intention is for Rodgers to speak respectfully rather than turn the evening into a confrontation.
The fact that the event is being organised around the supporters is also significant. Dykes’ description of it as a welcome back from the fans gives the evening a different character from an official club function, allowing Rodgers to engage with Celtic supporters directly in a setting outside the normal football environment.
Tickets Go On Sale October 2
For supporters who want to attend, tickets are due to go on sale at 10am on October 2. Prices have been set at £25 and £35 before booking fees, providing different options for those looking to attend the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall event.
The date for the event is June 14, 2027, meaning there is still considerable time before Rodgers walks onto the stage. Nevertheless, the subject matter is already generating interest because of the promise that his two Celtic departures will form part of the discussion.
The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall will provide the setting for what is expected to be a detailed conversation about Rodgers’ Celtic journey. With Dykes and Haggerty having personally approached Rodgers about the idea, there is also a clear emphasis on creating an evening where the former manager can engage directly with supporters.
For Celtic fans, the attraction is obvious: Rodgers will have the opportunity to tell his side of a story that has been discussed extensively from numerous angles. Whether he reveals anything that changes the existing picture remains unknown, but the possibility of hearing previously unexplored details will inevitably fuel anticipation.
What Celtic Fans Can Expect
The biggest attraction will undoubtedly be Rodgers speaking about his own experiences at Celtic. His two departures are expected to be part of the discussion, but the evening should also provide an opportunity to reflect on the wider journey across his two spells.
That could include memories of working with players, dealing with expectations, preparing teams and navigating the unique pressures attached to managing Celtic. The event may also offer supporters an opportunity to hear Rodgers reflect on the relationship between the team, the fans and the wider football environment surrounding the club.
Most importantly, the format provides a chance for Rodgers to speak without the conversation being filtered through second-hand accounts. His comments will be heard directly by supporters, giving them the opportunity to form their own understanding of what he says about the two departures.
Dykes’ warning that Rodgers is likely to discuss difficult subjects respectfully could also help set the tone. The evening does not appear to be designed simply to revisit disagreements, but rather to allow a major figure from Celtic’s recent history to explain his perspective on events that have continued to attract attention.
Rodgers’ Celtic Story Set For Another Chapter
Brendan Rodgers’ relationship with Celtic has already produced plenty of memorable moments, but the upcoming Glasgow event could add another significant chapter to that story. His return to the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall will bring him face-to-face with supporters and give him an opportunity to discuss a period of his career that continues to generate debate.
The confirmation that both departures will be discussed is likely to be the biggest talking point surrounding the event. For years, supporters have heard different versions and interpretations of what happened, making Rodgers’ own account particularly significant.
Whether he offers new details, provides additional context or simply reflects on events from his own perspective, there is no doubt that his comments will attract attention. The fact that the event has already been discussed within Celtic, according to Dykes, only adds further intrigue.
For now, supporters have the date, venue and ticket information, with sales beginning at 10am on October 2. When Rodgers eventually takes the stage on June 14, 2027, the spotlight will inevitably turn towards the two Celtic departures that remain among the most discussed parts of his story at the club.
And with Rodgers set to speak directly to the supporters rather than through statements or second-hand reports, Celtic fans will have the opportunity to hear his perspective for themselves. The night promises to revisit his Celtic journey from a different angle, with the circumstances surrounding his two departures expected to sit firmly at the centre of the conversation.