Rodgers reveals chat with BBC reporter after controversial remark during post-match interview
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers saddened by sexism allegations as Jane Lewis breaks silence over ‘good girl’ remark
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has defended himself against allegations of sexism after the BBC reporter he referred to as a “good girl” during a terse post-match interview insisted that she took no offence to the remark.
Jane Lewis was interviewing Rodgers for the BBC Sportsound radio programme following Celtic’s 3-1 win over Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership at Fir Park on Sunday when the incident took place. Rodgers was asked by Ms Lewis to clarify his comments when he stated that “the story has already been written about this group, but we will write our own story”, in reference to the title race.
Ms Lewis asked: “You don’t want to give us a bit more insight into that and what you mean?” But a clearly irked Rodgers repeatedly said “no” before adding: “You know exactly what I mean”. When Ms Lewis continued to press for an explanation Rodgers promptly ended the interview with the phrase: “Okay? Done. Good girl.” Ms Lewis then laughed and told listeners: “There you go, he’s done”.
The remark sparked complaints of sexism from both the Scottish Feminist Network and For Women Scotland – with one spokesperson branding the Celtic boss a “dinosaur” – but Lewis has spoken out and insisted that she does believe Rodgers intended to offend her. Ms Lewis said on Tuesday: “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.”
The Celtic manager has also broken his silence, admitting he was “saddened” by the episode and blaming society in general for blowing the issue out of proportion. He also revealed he had reached out to Ms Lewis and the pair “had a laugh” about the incident.
“Sadly for me you’re thinking in society now they’re looking to find something that is offensive to pin onto people,” Rodgers said. “Since I’ve been up here, I think any journalist, reporter or anyone in media… I’ve always based my life on relationships. I’ve always offered a warmth, respect, being courteous and offering time to people, and that will never change.
“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. I deal with people in life whether it’s players, relationships with them, I want to help them become 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’m sure. But I see her every week and we’ve got good relations, like I have with most people in my life, whether that’s professional or social.
“The irony of it is, it’s funny actually because I shared with players not so long ago the story of Jessica Watson, who was a young woman at 16 years of age who travelled round the world solo on a boat. The documentary I watched was really inspiring – True Spirit it was called – and I actually shared that with the players in terms of the inspiration they could take from a young woman like that, what she’d been through. I find it saddening as much as anything because, one, I’m not that type of person, I could never be that. It’s not how I’m built. But it saddens me for society now because people are just looking and trying to find ways to somehow pin you down if they can. It’s not nice.”
News Related
-
Asylum seekers travel in an inflatable boat across the English Channel, bound for Dover on the south coast of England (Photo: Ben Stansall/AFP) Up to 40 Conservative MPs are poised to rebel over Rishi Sunak’s Rwanda deportation policy as they question ministers’ commitment to the scheme. A major row is ...
See Details:
Up to 40 Tory MPs ‘set to rebel’ if Sunak’s Rwanda plan doesn’t override ECHR
-
In the saltmarsh fringing where the Ballyboe River dissolves into Trawbreaga Bay, a little egret wears its plumage like a windblown stole. Our car swoops across the 10 arches of Malin bridge and we park along the village green. Malin is almost as far north as you can get on ...
See Details:
Country diary: A tale of three churches
-
Photograph: Chris Ratcliffe/EPA Hampton Court is an enduring monument to the power of Henry VIII, a pleasure palace down the Thames from Westminster and the City of London. On Monday it was the scene of power projection of a different kind, as Rishi Sunak pitched for investment from some of ...
See Details:
Sunak woos business elite with royal welcome – but they seek certainty
-
-
Tottenham interested in move to sign “fearless” £20m defender in January Tottenham Hotspur have joined the race to bring an overseas defender to the Premier League in January, according to a fresh report. Postecoglou’s centre-back options The Lilywhites currently have Micky Van De Ven, Ashley Phillips, Cristian Romero and Eric ...
See Details:
Tottenham interested in move to sign “fearless” £20m defender in January
-
A £100m campaign urging households and businesses to use less water will be funded from customers’ bills, Ofwat has said. Bill payers to stump up cost of £100m water usage campaign The regulator’s chief executive David Black told MPs that if the measures worked it would be cheaper than building ...
See Details:
Bill payers to stump up cost of £100m water usage campaign
-
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football – FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 – Group B – Canada Training – Olympic Park, Melbourne, Australia – July 24, 2023 Canada’s Christine Sinclair during training REUTERS/Hannah Mckay/File Photo (Reuters) – BC Place in Vancouver, British Columbia, will be renamed “Christine Sinclair ...
See Details:
Soccer-Venue renamed 'Christine Sinclair Place' for Canada soccer great's final game
-
Michael van Gerwen is hunting down a fourth World Championship title (Picture: Getty Images) Michael van Gerwen is Phil Taylor’s tip to lift the World Darts Championship trophy for a fourth time in January, expecting a backlash from the recent defeat in the Players Championship Finals. The 2024 World Championship ...
See Details:
Phil Taylor makes his pick for 2024 World Darts Championship winner
-
Michael van Gerwen is hunting down a fourth World Championship title (Picture: Getty Images) Michael van Gerwen is Phil Taylor’s tip to lift the World Darts Championship trophy for a fourth time in January, expecting a backlash from the recent defeat in the Players Championship Finals. The 2024 World Championship ...
See Details:
Soccer-Howe aims to boost Newcastle's momentum in PSG clash
-
Michael van Gerwen is hunting down a fourth World Championship title (Picture: Getty Images) Michael van Gerwen is Phil Taylor’s tip to lift the World Darts Championship trophy for a fourth time in January, expecting a backlash from the recent defeat in the Players Championship Finals. The 2024 World Championship ...
See Details:
Hamilton heads for hibernation with a word of warning
-
Michael van Gerwen is hunting down a fourth World Championship title (Picture: Getty Images) Michael van Gerwen is Phil Taylor’s tip to lift the World Darts Championship trophy for a fourth time in January, expecting a backlash from the recent defeat in the Players Championship Finals. The 2024 World Championship ...
See Details:
Carolina Panthers fire head coach Frank Reich after 1-10 start to the season
-
Michael van Gerwen is hunting down a fourth World Championship title (Picture: Getty Images) Michael van Gerwen is Phil Taylor’s tip to lift the World Darts Championship trophy for a fourth time in January, expecting a backlash from the recent defeat in the Players Championship Finals. The 2024 World Championship ...
See Details:
This exercise is critical for golfers. 4 tips to doing it right
-
Michael van Gerwen is hunting down a fourth World Championship title (Picture: Getty Images) Michael van Gerwen is Phil Taylor’s tip to lift the World Darts Championship trophy for a fourth time in January, expecting a backlash from the recent defeat in the Players Championship Finals. The 2024 World Championship ...
See Details:
One in three households with children 'will struggle to afford Christmas'
-
OTHER NEWS
Kobbie Mainoo made his first start for Man Utd at Everton (Photo: Getty) The Football Association are reportedly confident that Manchester United starlet Kobbie Mainoo will choose to represent England ...
Read more »
Michael Smith will begin the defence of his world title on the opening night (Picture: Getty Images) The 2024 World Darts Championship is less than three weeks away and the ...
Read more »
For the first time a long haul commercial aircraft is flying across the Atlantic using 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). A long haul commercial flight is flying to the US ...
Read more »
The King has met business and finance leaders from across the world at a Buckingham Palace reception to mark the conclusion of the UK’s Global Investment Summit. Charles was introduced ...
Read more »
After Ohio State’s 30-24 loss to Michigan Saturday, many college football fans were wondering where Lou Holtz was. In his postgame interview after the Buckeyes beat Notre Dame 17-14 in ...
Read more »
Darius Slay wouldn’t have minded being penalized on controversial no-call No matter which team you were rooting for on Sunday, we can all agree that the officiating job performed by ...
Read more »
New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) Quarterback Mac Jones remains committed to finding success with the New England Patriots even though his future is up in the air following ...
Read more »