A sure-fire way of knowing if a manager is under pressure is in the way he reacts to a post-match grilling by the press. Some react with humble acceptance, some with disdain for their team, some with unerring platitudes for what they’ve just seen on the pitch – and others, with ‘snippy’ retorts.

Such was the case on Sunday, when the Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers was interviewed by BBC reporter Jane Lewis, following his side’s 3-1 defeat of Motherwell.

Lewis – a seasoned professional – had asked Rodgers to expand on a point after she was told that ‘the story has already been written about this group’ in the context of their league title race. To put this into context, Rangers are now leading the pack. Their lead is narrow – by two points – but it’s the first time since February 2022 the Gers have been on top.

In the background, meanwhile, fans have been voicing their displeasure at recent performances and the chat around Celtic’s chances of securing another championship has already gone into overdrive.

Rodgers appeared unhappy with the journalist’s line of questioning and when asked to elaborate on his point, said : ‘No, no. You know exactly what I mean.’

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers was accused of 'casual sexism' after saying 'good girl' to BBC reporter Jane Lewis at the end of a terse radio interview following his team's win at Motherwell

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers was accused of ‘casual sexism’ after saying ‘good girl’ to BBC reporter Jane Lewis at the end of a terse radio interview following his team’s win at Motherwell

Lewis had asked Rodgers to elaborate on a cryptic comment made about the title race

Lewis pressed again for a follow-up, only for Rodgers to end the interview. He was then heard saying: ‘Done, good girl, well done.’

Now, most of us reporters – male and female – have been on the wrong end of an acid tongued manager. This in itself, is not unusual.

Jurgen Klopp, Jose Mourinho, Gordon Strachan and a multitude of others have given reporters short shrift at times if they disagree with their line of questioning. Former Dundee United chairman Jim McLean took things one step further in 2000, when he famously lamped BBC reporter John Barnes at the end of a TV interview. Mclean was subsequently forced to resign.

In Rodgers’ case, his answers did not come across as overtly rude or obnoxious. His refusal to answer questions, however, was sure to irk – given he, himself, had raised the point about Celtic ‘writing their own story’. The questions were also reasonable – and valid – given Celtic have been the subject of recent criticism by their fans.

What has stirred the pot, however, is the condescending use of the words ‘good girl’ at the end of the interview. Women’s groups have been quick to react, calling Rodgers a ‘dinosaur’ and demanding an apology. Social media has also reacted with fury. The’ words ‘Embarrassing; sexist; misogynistic’ have all been used to describe his parting shot.

Many have demanded an apology from the Celtic boss, with Rodgers branded a ‘dinosaur’

Rodgers has ended the interview with Lewis - who has decades of experience - himself

Rodgers has ended the interview with Lewis – who has decades of experience – himself 

Celtic might say that it’s no different to using the term ‘good lad’ at the end of an interview with a male reporter. Rodgers actually did this in a post-match interview with Sky Sports.

The issue here, however, is the fact it was used in follow-up to an interview that he himself, shut down. Although Lewis laughed it off, it came across as incredibly belittling. I mean, seriously, would he have called a male reporter a ‘good boy’ at the end of an interview? Had he done so, I’d like to think we’d all be asking the same question about his use of language. It wasn’t just that, either. It was the WAY he said it. It didn’t feel like an absent-minded farewell. It felt more like more of a ‘telling off’. A sort of : ‘That’s it, good girl, run along now’ vibe.

Add to that, the fact that Lewis has decades of worth of experience, and it all feels pretty concerning.

Putting myself in Lewis’ position, I would have been surprised at his terminology. I’d probably have gone off, muttering ‘Good girl? Good girl?’ in slight disbelief. It wouldn’t have been the worst I’d experienced, however.

Rodgers may not be sexist, but in the moment used some poor terminology and it has backfired spectacularly

Rodgers may not be sexist, but in the moment used some poor terminology and it has backfired spectacularly

I once had a situation with a manager in the Scottish Championship who came down on me like a ton of bricks after I questioned whether his position was now under threat, following a series of poor results. Not only was he angry, but he also treated my questioning with utter contempt. To this day, it’s the worst interview I’ve ever experienced. In Rodgers’ case, Lewis appeared nonplussed by the remark, but she is well within her rights to feel annoyed by the way she was so publicly ‘put down’.

Do I think Rodgers is a sexist or a misogynist? No, I do not. Do I think he used some poor language here? Absolutely, and in the context of the situation, it has backfired spectacularly.

It would surely be of benefit, therefore, if Rodgers simply apologised and moved on. We live in an era now where there is a huge amount of sensitivity around sexism in football. There’s good reason for it, too. Women continue to get criticised for even daring to cover the men’s game. Just look at Joey Barton, for instance. His tirade of abuse towards female reporters is relentless.

Commentators, journalists, female footballers, they all get a bashing from men who simply don’t want them anywhere near the field of play. Behind the scenes, players still have to fight for equality in pay, conditions, and medical provision.

There should now be a widespread acknowledgement that language of this kind is not acceptable in a professional context

There should now be a widespread acknowledgement that language of this kind is not acceptable in a professional context

What we don’t need now, is a man of Rodgers’ standing making an ill-judged comment that only adds fuel to the fire.

If there’s anything positive to come out of this – and I hope there is – it’s a widespread acknowledgement that language of this kind is simply not acceptable in a professional context. As Mark Twain once said: ‘The difference between the almost right word and the right word is the difference between the lightning bug and the lighting.’

In this case, it couldn’t be more relevant.

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Post source: Daily mail

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