Andy Halliday and Brendan Rodgers shared a humorous exchange on the pitch following Celtic’s commanding 4-0 victory over Motherwell on Boxing Day. The former Rangers and Hearts midfielder, who came off the bench during the match, witnessed firsthand the dominant display by Celtic at Parkhead. Daizen Maeda, in particular, shone brightly, showcasing the skills that have earned him praise, including admiration from Halliday himself.
Despite his late substitution, Halliday could do little to alter the outcome, as Celtic fired on all cylinders, leaving no chance for a comeback. After the final whistle, a moment between Halliday and Rodgers caught the attention of fans. Images surfaced of the two smiling and engaging in a brief, light-hearted conversation on the Celtic Park pitch. The camaraderie between them was evident, sparking curiosity about what was said.
Halliday later revealed the details of the exchange during a discussion on Open Goal and Clyde Superscoreboard. According to the midfielder, Rodgers approached him and remarked, “I enjoy listening to you on the radio.” While the compliment might have taken Halliday by surprise, he responded with humor, joking that he had been hoping for Celtic to lose so he could criticize Rodgers on air. The friendly banter concluded with shared laughter, showcasing the mutual respect between the player-turned-pundit and the Celtic manager.
Host and former Celtic player Si Ferry added another layer to the story by mentioning Rodgers’ playful slap to Halliday’s face during their conversation. Halliday joked about the gesture, noting with a smirk that the pats were “progressively getting harder” and quipping, “I’m 33 years old; you don’t need to tap me on the face!” The moment further highlighted the light-hearted nature of their interaction.
Rodgers’ remarks may have also been a subtle nod to Halliday’s recent comments about the league title race. Despite an uncharacteristic performance by Celtic against Rangers earlier in the season, the Hoops remain firmly in control of the Scottish Premiership, holding an impressive 13-point lead. Halliday himself has acknowledged the inevitability of Celtic lifting the trophy, admitting that their dominance makes the title race all but decided. This exchange serves as a reminder of the playful side of football, even among rivals, while reinforcing Celtic’s stronghold on the league.