Brendan Rodgers calls for ‘cowardly’ club mole to leave Celtic

“My honest take is I thought it was a cowardly action by whoever it is,” said Rodgers.

“It’s not something you’d want. Certainly my relationships with the guys, I am close with here within the board, I would struggle to understand why.

“All I’ve tried to do is drive the club forward. Was I surprised by it? Not really.

“I’m thick skinned and it’s because I want to do so well here. I’m determined.

“I know Dermot [Desmond, majority shareholder], Michael [Nicholson, chief executive], the guys I work with on a daily basis, certainly communicate on a daily basis, feel the same.”

In the report by the Scottish Sun, there was no hint as to where the leak had come from, other than it said senior figures were concerned the former Liverpool boss, who previously left his role at Celtic midway through his third season, had eyes on an exit.

There was also a claim his public frustrations about the club’s transfer dealings had “torn the club apart”.

When asked on Friday if the person who was speaking against him should resign, Rodgers added: “I don’t think there’s any doubt.

“If you’re sat in the position that I’m in with the weight of the club on your shoulders to be the spokesperson, to be the manager, be the psychologist and be everything, it’s so important you feel supported.

“I’m pretty sure there will be some questioned asked on it as, like I said, there was quite a bit of detail in there – and wrong I may add.”