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Brendan Rodgers could quit Celtic after Zenit defeat - Charlie Nicholas
Former Celtic fooballer-turned-pundit Charlie Nicholas feels Brendan Rodgers may consider his position with the Hoops following their Europa League round of 32 exit at the hands of Zenit St Petersburg. The Scottish champions had a 1-0 lead going into the away leg of their European tie, but they were outclassed by Roberto Mancini's side, who were clinical in front of goal.
Following the 3-1 aggregate defeat, Rodgers criticised the club's defensive organisation for their loss, but Nicholas believes there could be further implications with the future of Rodgers likely to come in question in the long-run.
Rodgers had expected the team to perform better on the European stage, and Nicholas says the former Liverpool manager may consider his position, should he feel the Hoops have reached their full potential under his management.
He said: "Celtic announced earlier this month that they have a whopping £30m in the bank. They may be cash-rich in Scottish football terms, but they proved once again they are paupers on the European stage as they went out of the Europa League with a whimper The manner of their defeat in the Krestovsky Stadium has me concerned that Brendan Rodgers may soon start to question his long-term future at Celtic. I’m concerned that Brendan will now start to question just how much further he can take this side."
Despite leading Celtic to a historic treble in his maiden season at Parkhead, Rodgers has not managed turn the club's fortunes in the Champions League, where they finished third best to Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich, whilst only edging Anderlecht on the head-to-head.
With the club now out of the Europa League, the focus is likely to lie on achieving another domestic treble with the Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup within the reach, having already lifted the Scottish Cup against Motherwell back in December.