Brendan Rodgers did not make ‘good girl’ comment to offend me, says reporter

A journalist who was referred to as a “good girl” by Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers, sparking complaints of sexism, does not believe he meant to offend.

Speaking on Tuesday Jane Lewis said there was no offence taken following the incident that came after a Premiership game at Fir Park on Sunday.

Rodgers was heard saying “good girl” at the end of the interview that was broadcast on BBC Sportsound radio following Celtic’s 3-1 win against Motherwell.

Ms Lewis said on Tuesday: “Clearly, the interview on Sunday has become a talking point. I don’t believe there was any offence meant by Brendan Rodgers – and for my part there was none taken.”

The Celtic boss gave an irritated response early in the interview that showed he wasn’t happy at a focus on the first half performance, and then, in reference to the title race, stated that “the story has already been written about this group, but we will write our own story”.

When Lewis pressed him to explain the remark, asking “You don’t want to give us a bit more insight into that and what you mean?” Rodgers said “no” repeatedly and sharply told the journalist “You know exactly what I mean”.

Lewis replied that she wasn’t sure what the manager meant by his comments and that people would be interested to hear more, prompting Rodgers to end the interview.

After Rodgers was asked if he could say more, he replied: “Okay, done. Good girl. Well done, cheers.”.

Lewis laughed and told listeners: “There you go, he’s done”.

A women’s group described his comment as “demeaning” and warned they could encourage similar behaviour from football fans as they urged him to apologise.

Rodgers will have a chance to address the issue when he meets with the press on Tuesday to preview Celtic’s game against Dundee.