When it comes to picking a “hero” from America’s leading generals in World War II there is one whose shadow is cast over all the others; George Patton.
I won’t get deep into his history although I love the guy and find him fascinating, but he was not a man who played by any rules but his own, and that’s why the US military, ever mindful of the politics of working in a coalition with other countries – like Britain, whose military commanders he held in contempt and the Soviet Union, whose leaders he plainly hated – didn’t give him a leading role in the events of Operation Overload, the invasion of Normandy.
Instead, Patton got to command “the ghost army” during the strategic deception plan Operation Fortitude. See, the irony of Patton’s genius was that his own leaders did not trust him with overall command but the Germans knew he was formidable and dangerous.
So, when the Americans set him up with rubber tanks and fake communications and a possible plan to invade Europe, the Nazis believed every bit of it. Pas-de-Calais was the target he seemed to be preparing to hit, so a lot of German military muscle was moved towards that area instead of Normandy.
Think for a second about that; the Allies depended on the Germans knowing Patton was the best they had for Overlord, so they gave the command to someone else and made Patton the main player in a giant deception. And they did this not to aid the deception, but because they had doubts about Patton that the enemy did not share.
Who the Hell does that remind of you if not our own board?
Back-to-back trebles, anyone? For God’s sake. Seven trophies out of seven contested. And still we had people at Celtic who thought their judgement was better than his was. He left, but he came back when we needed his kind of leadership, and his CV was even more impressive. Still, they thought they knew better than him.
There were plenty in the media who believed the same thing; in fact, they had an even more nonsensical theory.
That Rodgers hadn’t been properly tested before now.
Patton had already proved in both North Africa and Sicily that he was nearly unmatched as a leader of men.
And lesser men questioned his talents, and judgement. This is the way of every major leader there’s ever been, the men who dare to do what others would fear to even attempt are questioned by those who’ve done nothing.
Rodgers knows this all too well.
When Patton was finally given a European command, the top brass had to tell his tanks to slow down at one point because they had advanced beyond the resupply lines.
And then they asked him to make a virtually impossible detour with, as he saw it, Berlin in his sights, to relieve the forces holding Bastogne in the Battle of The Bulge; he moved his people hundreds of miles north with such speed that that he caught the Germans by total surprise, in an almost miraculous advance which military historians still marvel over.
You know what Patton told those who were amazed by it?
That he had personally done nothing at all except to instil in those men the discipline, fitness, self-belief and mental strength that had made that feat possible.
His men, he said, deserved all the credit.
A good leader does that too; he recognises the achievements and talents of the men in his charge, even as the ultimate credit belongs to him.
This is Brendan Rodgers, and yesterday he was Patton-like in his contempt for those who had attempted to play down his achievements up until now, and especially those who – Chris Sutton is perhaps in his sights –accused him of “going through the motions.”
Everything he has said in his own defence is on the money.
Smarting, especially, against their “treating me like a novice”, he was magnificent. And why should he not be? The man is a legend, and even if you did not rate his record before now, he has not only won the prize that matters, but he has done it by beating his rivals three times out of four, including the flapping loser at Ibrox twice.
I have made it clear all through this season how much contempt I have for armchair generals who have attempted to second guess the man at Celtic who has been there and seen it and done it all. He is miles ahead of all of his critics, having forgotten more than most of them will ever know.
His command over the game in this country is complete, and total; even Keevins stooped to kiss the ring this morning, attempting to make out like Rodgers’ critics didn’t include him, which is an act of brazenness which takes some beating. His own commentary on the manager has bordered on the deranged at times. The poison that has flowed from his pen, in Rodgers direction, could fill an Olympic sized swimming pool. Once again, he has been made to look like a pure fool, drawing a salary in spite of his colossal ignorance.
Not one of these people contradicted the narrative that he had not been challenged his first time in Scotland. None of them spoke out and called this the absolute nonsense it was. They have continued to push the fiction that when he said “See you in May” that he was referring to the fans when, in fact, he was talking directly to them. For anyone to criticise this man’s record, for those who suggested that he might get found out – by Michael Beale; let’s not forget that, it was The Mooch they were talking about – as if he’d done nothing in his career so far, was ridiculous.
How many Premiership bosses of this era have had their hands on the trophy in the manner he did before it slipped away? And yes, he was outdone, but by what? A slip by Steven Gerrard and the diabolical genius of the man who calls himself The Special One and has a record which backs that up. At the time, there was no finer manager in world football than Jose Mourinho.
People expected Rodgers to do better as manager of Leicester; based on what?
On their having won a title not long before?
If that had been going well, they wouldn’t have sacked the guy who achieved that generational miracle in the first place. They were in twelth place, and two managers later, when he became boss. Two top half finishes, an FA Cup and a European semi-final later and some people still don’t understand why I refer to him as an elite boss?
Our enemies know who Rodgers is, and they are suitably afraid. Our media knows he is a fearsome adversary, which is why they tried to turn us against him. For all the bravado on the Ibrox fan forums, they know this guy’s record, they know he knows his stuff and they know he has their number .. they spent all of last week calling Rodgers every insulting name under the sun except one; they never said he was a crap manager who has lucked his way to results.
There are people in the media who should be red-faced in shame at their behaviour and their idiotic commentary.
Rodgers deservedly put them in their place yesterday, and he’s not finished yet because the league isn’t officially wrapped up and the Scottish Cup final is still to come; between now and then the sportswriters might even give us one of the comedic moments of the season by having Phillipe Clement walk up to the podium and collect their manager of the year award. I sincerely hope that comes to pass; it will sum their industry up.
But I am not going to forget that there are some in our own house who have been equally dreadful in their contempt for the man in the dugout. Shame too on those of them who did not give him his due credit and their full-throated backing. We have gotten through the most difficult part of the campaign, to secure this title, without relying on a single one of the summer signings. Rodgers has done this with a weakened version of last season’s team.
These people should be equally shame-faced at substituting his judgement for their own. If they make that mistake again, if they show that much arrogance again, they should be drummed out of this club. It is disgraceful how thoroughly they let him down.
They brought in an elite manager and then gave him a bunch of rubber tanks to play with instead of the real thing. Did we lose ground to that? Points? Yeah, of course we did, although they had ample proof of what Rodgers, working to his own plan, was capable of.
And now they have more proof of it, and what else do they need? Give this man the tools and then step back and watch him work. Deny him that, and all we’re doing is shooting ourselves in the foot. This man is a winner. This man has the enemy on the run. Our rivals tremble in his presence, and it does not seem to matter what general they put opposite him or what tools they place at his disposal; Rodgers endures. Rodgers finds a way.
That’s why this afternoon he can stand on the hilltop and survey the battlefield after yet another victory. If he has a smile on his face I absolutely understand why.
“See you in May,” he told these people, and here May is and here he stands, the winner again.
Great write up James and yes Brendan had Sutton firmly in his sites yesterday
I had said to you that this would be the sweetest title of them all and it surely is after the travesty of the transfer window and he did it without any of those signings like you say… am over the moon after yesterday and my only gripe would be Hattate no where near good enough at present
Believe there’s a lot of humble pie doing the rounds on the media and radio circuits.
Lawwell should not think he’s safe now the title is almost over , his meddling has severely impeded the team and especially BRENDAN RODGERS!
Full control of player signings and whatever money is needed should be given to this man without question after an emphatic triumph, HAIL HAIL.
Now let’s see what can be achieved in Europe with the players BR has been badly needing to make us even more formidable.
Kenny millers meltdown aka Billy pope, re electric soup comic was hysterical, bulging beady eyes and foaming at the mouth was the funniest thing I’ve seen with Sutton and McFadden and even the village idiot laughing at him was brilliant, good to know he’s Ragin.
Great article James. We will be a far more formidable force next season too, HH
Well said James ,we are fortunate indeed !
I love reading your articles James but have never commented. But I had to comment on this one. This is one of my favourites from you. Every word bang on. Yes we do have an elite manager and yes let’s bloody give him the tools he needs and we can dominate till i am no longer on this planet and make our mark on Europe which this club and our wonderful fans deserve. HH
Excellent article James , and ‘hands up’ I thought it was a mistake for him to return. It is always more difficult to return to where you were a great success and with a track record of achievements that the team had under his previous stint. How he has managed this season has been nothing less than a miracle. Enough has been said and written about the January transfer period when he must have quickly realised that it was down to him and his management with little help from the powers that be. The Ipox hoards must be sick of the sight of him, as he keeps them and any number of managers in 2nd place. On a slightly different note, I have just watched some of the play off game with Norwich, and kept thinking, if Idah can’t get in to their team then why are we interested? We require a better and more consistent striker than him and we should spend the money to make it happen. This has been a very enjoyable weekend and I am having difficulty to stop smiling and thinking of all the experts who tipped that mob for the title. We must make sure we win the cup and achieve yet another double, then they can concentrate on winning the Pre-season cup again. Hail Hail
James what are your thoughts on SKY focusing on something being thrown at Tavernier and Neil Lennon sitting there and allowing Boyd to bring up the Dallas incident without mentioning the bottle thrown at OReilly and the member of the backroom team being hit by a bottle at Ibrox.
From The massive Glens of Antrim…
Neath The Shadows of Glen Cloy…
The man they call The ‘Brodgie’…
With The Sevco he did toy…
They hired a Cocky Cockney…
And a Belgian twat as well…
But the man from Country Antrim…
Left the Sevco Huns in Hell…
So raise your glass for Brendan…
The Champions Elect…
For all the lovely misery…
That he’s dumped upon that sect…
This title is the sweetest…
We’ve won in quite a while…
So thank you dearest Brendan…
for shutting up the vile…
For shutting up the media…
And every Sevco Hun…
And giving all us Celtic fans…
Such fun, such fun, such fun !!!
I was given short shrift by this website for criticising Brenden but I noticed my biggest concern with him has just been dealt with,
“Rodgers said: That’s why Reo came off. He’s a big talent but he gives it away too much for my liking.
My problem was I couldn’t understand why he didn’t see it it in all the other matches.
Hitate can make the pass that changes games but for 90% his passes are incompleted.
Now if he gets a goalkeeper who commands his area BR will be my Manager of the year!!!
Writing this as I run for cover.
To my shame I have only realised the importance of McGregor’s short passing game.
I didn’t want Brendon back,
I still felt betrayed from his previous departure,
He was left some of the best players departed from previous season,
January window wasn’t great,
But it’s looking great for the title coming to Paradise and hopefully the Scottish Cup with it.
If he is given PROPER MONEY to invest in the team and keeps most of the squad we should be back with a bang next season.
Brendon I’ve personally forgiven you for leaving before.
I hope you stay and prove Keevins and friends no as much about football as they know about journalism NOTHING
HAIL HAIL COYBIG ??
I really hope we push the going for 55 next season as a great piss take
Of course it would take a disaster of monumental proportion if we didnae win it now, tho let’s get this last point in the bag. When this is over, although all the team have played their part with BR, ah think a special mention should go tae James Forrest. Even for what will in all probability, be his last season for us, the guy’s proved immensely important in this run in. And maybe, hopefully, he’s no quite done yet and more tae come in these remainin league and cup games.
If we are honest Celtic have been poor this season in some matches but with Rodgers coming in and changing how he wants to play and players adjusting to his style it has taken time.Also players leaving and new players in then injuries it has been a very nervous time for the fans but credit to Rodgers has pulled things round and now 1 point from being champions again” plus a cup final to look forward to so well done Rodgers and the team and more important the fans.
I agree with you on a lot of things Celtic related, James. Your views on Rodgers this season echo mine. Or vice versa I should say.
You called Brendan out at the start of the season for saying that he’d work with what he was given. But once it became apparent after the Winter transfer window that no lessons had been learned from the previous transfer window, you got behind the manager. There was nothing esle to be done other than call out the right people. And Brendan wasn’t one of them.
I couldn’t believe I was seeing messages of Rodgers has to go after the 3-3 draw at Liebrox. What do some of our fans expect? That Jurgen Klopp will set up shop in Glasgow after he’s done at Liverpool?
Rodgers has won us the League in a very difficult season. Coming in after Ange was going to be a tough gig for whoever it was to taking over. And so it has proved. But we still won the League.
Shame on all those who voiced their disapproval because he had the audacity to leave Celtic the way he did. Which, admittedly, wasn’t great. But I was glad he came back. I think he’s the best man we could ever hope to have in that position. Unless the trolls want Lenny back ….. ?
Talking about Generals what about the dick, Advocaat.
Wonderful article James, warms the cockles! I had a substantial respect for Brendan and what he’s achieved, but this has surpassed that as he seemed to be fighting against so many obstacles and doing so with a remarkable composure.
I’m not sure if he was making a statement by not having a single one of the 12 “development” players foisted on him in his first eleven yesterday, but surely if he’d signed any of them he’d have played them. Was I imagining it or did DD have a face like thunder at the final whistle. I’m hoping he’ll now forgive Brendan and give him the backing he needs to take Celtic to the place he believes they should occupy.
Exfuknsact.y!
Patton was a complete scumbag. He was happy to sacrifice any number of his own troops to advance his career while being a physical coward himself. American generals kept big staffs of PR people whose job it was to promote their boss in the US press and Patton’s did a good job, otherwise he would have been fired. He wasn’t a great general either, unable to comprehend the big picture and messing up his own and others logistics. At the war’s end he was very friendly with Nazi officer POWs and wanted a war with them against the Soviets. You need to find a better hero.