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Celtic chief criticises ‘divisive’ Rodgers after exit

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Celtic chief criticises ‘divisive’ Rodgers after exit


Brendan Rodgers has left Celtic amid a wave of criticism from principal shareholder Dermot Desmond.

Rodgers resigned as manager on Tuesday after Celtic’s poor start to the season. The club have put Martin O’Neill and former midfielder Shaun Maloney in temporary charge.

A statement from Desmond, after Rodgers’ exit, read: “Brendan Rodgers has today tendered his resignation as manager of Celtic Football Club.

“I want to acknowledge Brendan’s contribution across his two spells as manager, during which he helped deliver success that forms part of the club’s modern history. However, I must also express my deep disappointment at the way the past several months have unfolded.

“When we brought Brendan back to Celtic two years ago, it was done with complete trust and belief in his ability to lead the club into a new era of sustained success. Unfortunately, his conduct and communication in recent months have not reflected that trust.

“In June, both Michael Nicholson and I expressed to Brendan that we were keen to offer him a contract extension, to reaffirm the club’s full backing and long-term commitment to him. He said he would need to think about it and revert. Yet in subsequent press conferences, Brendan implied that the club had made no commitment to offer him a contract. That was simply untrue.

“We met with Brendan regularly, including in December last year and at the start of the summer, with regular dialogue in between, to discuss and agree our collective strategy, priorities, and approach. Every player signed and every player sold during his tenure was done so with Brendan’s full knowledge, approval, and endorsement. Any insinuation otherwise is absolutely false.

“His later public statements about transfers and club operations came entirely out of the blue. At no point prior to those remarks had he raised any such concerns with me, Michael, or any member of the board or executive team. In reality, he was given final say over all football matters and was consistently backed in the recruitment process — including record investment in players he personally identified and approved.

“When his comments were made publicly, I sought to address them directly. Brendan and I met for over three hours at his home in Scotland to discuss the issue. Despite ample opportunity, he was unable to identify a single instance where the club had obstructed or failed to support him. The facts did not match his public narrative.

“Regrettably, his words and actions since then have been divisive, misleading, and self-serving. They have contributed to a toxic atmosphere around the club and fuelled hostility towards members of the executive team and the Board. Some of the abuse directed at them, and at their families, has been entirely unwarranted and unacceptable.

“Every member of the Board and executive team is deeply passionate about Celtic and acts at all times with professionalism, integrity, and a shared desire for success. What has failed recently was not due to our structure or model, but to one individual’s desire for self-preservation at the expense of others.

Rodgers resigns as Celtic boss after poor start to season
– Report: Hearts beat injury-hit Celtic, go eight points clear in SPFL
Scottish Premiership table

“Celtic’s structure — where the manager oversees football, the chief executive manages operations, and the board provides oversight — has served the club with great success for more than two decades. We all share the same ambition: to ensure Celtic’s continued success domestically and to achieve further progress in Europe. Every pound generated by the club is reinvested towards those goals and the continuous improvement of Celtic Football Club.

“Celtic is greater than any one person. Our focus now is on restoring harmony, strengthening the squad, and continuing to build a club worthy of its values, traditions, and supporters.”

Rodgers leaves after consecutive Premiership defeats, leaving Celtic eight points adrift of Hearts. Celtic added a statement thanking Rodgers for his “contribution to Celtic during his two very successful periods at the club”.

He had previously won two league and cup trebles in a prior stint with Celtic.

O’Neill rejoins the club 20 years after leaving Celtic for Aston Villa and six since his last head coaching role in the game.



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PSL matches to go ahead without spectators under govt’s austerity drive amid regional crisis: Naqvi

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PSL matches to go ahead without spectators under govt’s austerity drive amid regional crisis: Naqvi


Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi (left) addressing a press conference in Lahore on March 22, 2026. — PCB

LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, in a major announcement on Sunday, said that the much-awaited Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches will be held without spectators as part of the government’s austerity measures amid ongoing regional crisis.

Addressing a press conference in Lahore, Naqvi said the tournament will be limited to two venues, Karachi and Lahore. He added that the decision aims to reduce public movement.


This is a developing story and will be updated with more information.





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No 12 High Point falls short of Sweet Sixteen bid after late run by four-seed Arkansas

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No 12 High Point falls short of Sweet Sixteen bid after late run by four-seed Arkansas


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No. 12 High Point put everyone on notice for the second time in as many games this March Madness, but could not find the same success.

After advancing to the Round of 32 following an upset victory over No. 5 Wisconsin, the Panthers’ season ended after No. 4 Arkansas ran away from them late Saturday night.

High Point led by as many as five early in the game, and they were up 56-52 with 14:17 to go after going on a 12-2 run. 

Both teams exchanged buckets for several minutes, with no one expanding their respective leads by more than three points for a little while.

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High Point Panthers head coach Flynn Clayman and guard Rob Martin (3) react in the second half against the Arkansas Razorbacks during a second round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Moda Center. (Craig Strobeck/Imagn Images)

With 7:04 to play, the Panthers took a 72-71 lead, to which the Razorbacks responded with a 10-2 run, putting them up by seven and giving them their largest lead of the night.

The game was then quickly tied at 83 after a wild run by High Point, but over the final 3:19, Arkansas outscored High Point, 11-5, to snatch the victory, despite a valiant effort from the Panthers.

High Point against Arkansas

High Point Panthers forward Terry Anderson (5) drives against Arkansas Razorbacks forward Malique Ewin (12) and forward Billy Richmond III (24) in the second half during a second round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Moda Center. (Craig Strobeck/Imagn Images)

VANDERBILT’S HAIL MARY SHOT MISSES BY NARROWEST OF MARGINS AS NEBRASKA ADVANCES TO SWEET 16 IN EPIC FASHION

Arkansas was favored by 11.5, and while they couldn’t cover, it was another Sweet 16 appearance for legendary head coach John Calipari.

Two Panthers, Rob Martin (30) and Cam’Ron Fletcher (25), combined for 55 points, but Darius Acuff Jr. of Arkansas trumped everyone by dropping 36.

Arkansas will face the winner of No. 1 Arizona and No. 9 Utah State in the Sweet 16.

Flynn Clayman with player

High Point Panthers head coach Flynn Clayman and forward Braden Hausen (15) react in the second half against the Arkansas Razorbacks during a second round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Moda Center. (Craig Strobeck/Imagn Images)

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High Point’s victory over Wisconsin on Thursday marked their first ever in March Madness after making the tournament last year for the first time.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter





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Risers and fallers: Luka’s on a heater, but is it time to drop Giannis?

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Risers and fallers: Luka’s on a heater, but is it time to drop Giannis?


Luka Doncic is on fire, Daniss Jenkins has a great opportunity and Ayo Dosunmu is rockin’ for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Meanwhile, Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks have different visions, Aaron Gordon is prepping for the playoffs and Mikal Bridges isn’t doing much right now.

With only three weeks left in the NBA’s regular season, enjoy the final Risers and Fallers column of the season. It’s been my pleasure!


Resources: Rankings | Adds/Drops | Scoring leaders | Player Rater | Mock draft lobby | Depth charts | Schedule | Injuries


Risers

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2:32

Stephen A. makes case for Luka Doncic to win NBA MVP

Stephen A. Smith explains why Luka Doncic is “a top candidate” for MVP this season.

Luka Doncic, PG, Los Angeles Lakers (100% rostered in ESPN leagues)

Doncic has been on an historic eight-game run and capped it off with a 60-point bonanza in a win over Miami on Thursday night, the Lakers’ 11th win in their last 12 games. Doncic has averaged 50 points over the last two days/games and has scored at least 30 points in eight straight, all of which were Lakers wins.

The fact that he averaged 50 points in a back-to-back set in March is mind blowing and he had averaged 34.9 points, 9.0 rebounds, 7.9 assists and 5.0 3-pointers for the month going into Thursday’s game. He then hit nine 3-pointers and had five steals in that one, and is carrying fantasy teams right now.

He’s the first Laker to score 60 since Kobe Bryant did it in the “Mamba Out” game and his fantasy managers have been on easy street during the run. The only question left in fantasy is, did he peak too early? Unfortunately, the answer is probably ‘yes,’ as the fantasy playoffs are just getting ready to start for most of us. The good news is that the Lakers are going to keep trying to hang onto third-place in the West so Luka should keep putting up stellar numbers through the end of the season. And if he keeps playing like this he might end up with some MVP hardware, while his fantasy managers might end up with some hardware of their own.

Daniss Jenkins, PG, Detroit Pistons (21.0% rostered)

Cade Cunningham left Tuesday’s game after just five minutes with what was originally reported as back spams, but it turned out to be a serious injury in the form of a collapsed lung. He’ll be re-evaluated in two weeks, which is some of the worst fantasy news I’ve heard this season.

Jenkins stepped in for Cunningham on Tuesday and finished with 15 points and seven assists in 21 minutes, and then got the start on Thursday. Unfortunately, he hit just 3-of-16 shots to finish with nine points and five dimes in a win over Washington. But the good news is that he started, played 34 minutes, took more shots than anyone else on his team and even had a block.

Jenkins, who has played well when given an opportunity this season, was likely grabbed in 12-team leagues as soon as the Cunningham news broke thanks to his potential to help in most categories, including steals, blocks and threes. But regardless of what size league you play in, go check and make sure he’s not still available. He’s about to go on a two-week tear, if not longer.

Ayo Dosunmu, SG, Minnesota Timberwolves (33.0% rostered)

Dosunmu is going to get a huge opportunity due to Anthony Edwards‘ right knee inflammation, which will cause him to miss one-to-two weeks. Dosunmu has already played two games without Edwards and he’s been stellar, to the tune of 21 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.5 steals and 2.0 3-pointers in two wins for the Wolves.

Dosunmu gets a bad rap in fantasy circles thanks to a lack of steals, blocks and 3-pointers and much of it is deserved, but he did have three steals on Thursday night and he should get about 34 minutes per game for the next two weeks.

Flip a coin as to whether he or Jenkins is the better pickup right now.


Fallers

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1:32

Shams reveals latest on Giannis’ back-and-forth with Bucks

The ‘Get Up’ crew discusses the tension between Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks over shutting him down for the rest of the season.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, PF/C, Milwaukee Bucks (98.3% rostered)

ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on Thursday that the Bucks and Antetokounmpo are in disagreement over whether or not he should play again this season. To his credit, Antetokounmpo wants to play, despite a current hyperextended knee. The reality is that while the Bucks have yet to be mathematically eliminated, they’re not going to make the playoffs … and Antetokounmpo is not healthy.

Even if he comes back to play this season, how many minutes are the Bucks going to be willing to give their franchise player in meaningless games? And what kind of damage will this impasse do to his relationship and future with the franchise? My guess is the team will get its way in the end and I’ll put Antetokounmpo’s over/under for games played the rest of the season at 2.5.

With those kinds of odds, I’m afraid he probably belongs on the waiver wire, assuming you don’t have an injured reserve spot available on your roster. Hold Antetokounmpo for as long as you can, but if you need to drop him to make the playoffs — or to win in the playoffs — it makes sense.

Bobby Portis (55.9% rostered) has been playing very well for the Bucks of late, while Ousmane Dieng (1.8% rostered) should be widely available and have a big opportunity for the final few weeks of the season.

Mikal Bridges, SG/SF, New York Knicks (96.0% rostered)

The Knicks are sitting comfortably in third place in the East and are 7-3 over their last 10 games. And while they haven’t played much competition, they did have a big win at Denver on March 6. But the Knicks’ player not getting much attention on SportsCenter, or anywhere else right now, is Bridges.

Over his last seven games Bridges is averaging just 7.0 points, 1.0 3-pointers, 0.7 steals and 1.3 blocks while shooting a dreadful 32% from the floor. Most of his fantasy appeal comes from his efficiency and ability to steal, block and hit 3-pointers, but it just isn’t happening for him right now. And with Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns doing all the heavy lifting for the Knicks, I don’t see it changing any time soon.

Bridges still has some fantasy appeal, but it’s crunch time in fantasy right now, and tough decisions are in order. If your team with Bridges on it is struggling, or if you’re in a field goal percentage battle, dropping Bridges isn’t a crazy idea. He’ll break out of the funk at some point, but the fact remains he’s going to likely be the fifth offensive option in New York the rest of the way.

Aaron Gordon, PF, Denver Nuggets (71.1% rostered)

Gordon is playing for the Nuggets again after a hamstring injury but Peyton Watson (hamstring) should be back any day now. That’s going to leave the Nuggets crowded up front with Gordon, Watson and Spencer Jones all needing minutes, not to mention Christian Braun, Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway Jr. And the only thing the Nuggets should really care about is having Gordon healthy for the playoffs.

Gordon is struggling over his last five games, averaging just 13 points and 5.4 rebounds on 42% shooting. Meanwhile, Watson was playing at a pretty high level when he went down with his injury. I expect Gordon and Watson to be in a timeshare, at best, over the final few weeks of the season and I can envision Gordon’s minutes being monitored closely in hopes of having him 100% for the start of the playoffs.

Gordon is more important to the Nuggets than he is to your fantasy team and it makes sense for managers to look for a potential “silly-season” hero with upside for their playoff run. I would drop Gordon to pick up Jenkins, for example.



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