Brendan Rodgers is the REAL Celtic Don as AGM slapdown shows he's more than just the manager

In one of the more surreal moments of a Celtic love-in masquerading as an AGM, one poetic punter described Michael Nicholson as the new Godfather of Scottish football.

The fella – who hit on fan favourite topics such as Rangers being dead and refereeing conspiracies – was wide of the mark though. The real Don of Celtic Park was sitting one spot to the chief executive’s right at the top table.

Brendan Rodgers might be happy enough with his job title but on days like this it’s clear he’s more than just a manager. Rodgers is the driving force behind every facet of this football club right now. Even Peter Lawwell, as chairman, had to divert a lot of the questions from the floor towards Nicholson. But on more than one occasion it was Rodgers who stepped in with the proper answers. If the usual question had been asked about the standards of the Parkhead pie, you wouldn’t have been surprised if the Northern Irishman unveiled a secret recipe for the pastries.

It was that kind of meeting. In fairness, there was never going to be any fireworks during this peacetime AGM, with the team flying on the pitch and the cash piling up in the bank. There were the usual issues about redevelopment of the South Stand (unlikely in the current financial climate) to a bigger standing section behind the goal (possible, but not an immediate plan) to some serious chat about the cost of living and how it affects supporters.

But this was never going to be a confrontational gathering. The new Christmas advert was shown at the end and there was a festive cheer for these jolly goodfellas.

Even when there was a hit of negativity, when one rather, ahem, enthusiastic blogger, went on the offensive about former recruitment chief Mark Lawwell, Rodgers jumped