Brendan Rodgers' lack of Celtic backing 'astonishing' as pundit makes board demand regardless of title success

Michael Stewart says that it's "astonishing" that Brendan Rodgers has not been backed by in the transfer window by the Celtic board and expects to a hive of activity in the playing squad next summer.

Rodgers' side have surrendered a seven point lead at the top of the Premiership, with Rangers now having a two point advantage in the title race with 12 games remaining. Hoops supporters were left fuming after the club only managed to bring in winger Nicolas Kuhn for £3million and striker Adam Idah on loan from Norwich City in last month's January transfer window, with many fans feeling the squad needed further reinforcements in order to secure their third straight league title.

Last Saturday's poor 1-1 draw at home to Kilmarnock has piled more pressure on chiefs at Parkhead, and pundit Stewart cannot believe the lack of financial support given to former Liverpool and Leicester boss Rodgers to get the job done.

However, despite calls from some sections of the Celtic fanbase, Stewart also thinks the 51-year-old will still be in the dugout in the east end of Glasgow next season. Speaking on the BBC Scottish football podcast, he said: "Regardless of whether they win the league or not, for me, they keep Brendan Rodgers.

"The big problem for me, even so much is when we look at Brendan Rodgers now, and he does look like a pale imitation of what we saw before, he's a top manager, right?"

"And the thing that surprises me so much and we all assumed that to get Brendan back in it was that because they were going to back him heavily. It's been so far the other way that I find it astonishing. So even if they don't win the league, I still think next summer they have to go and do the same thing and back him properly."