What is the media’s latest obsession with getting their info from gambling websites? Today, OLBG are touting the Celtic boss for a “TOP EPL” job

Since when did gambling websites become a trusted source for info on Scotland’s top clubs, especially Celtic?

Now, I’ve pointed out on many an occasion that the Record uses Football Insider as a source on regular basis.

That fact alone should be a source of deep embarrassment for that paper.

Football Insider is without doubt the worst football website out there.

Nothing, and I mean NOTHING it reports ever comes to pass.

This website quotes the opinions of ex-footballers, who have zero influence over what goes on inside any club, anywhere.

They then use these opinions to form a headline which leads the reader to believe they have some sort of massive exclusive.

Upon reading any of their articles, you find that all they are is the opinions and assumptions of ex-footballers who can’t seem to get a gig at any of the serious journalism outlets out there.

And one ex-chairman of Aberdeen who is apparently an authority on everything that goes on inside the boardroom of Celtic and the Ibrox club, as well as any number of EPL clubs.

They have no inside knowledge of Celtic whatsoever.

The same applies to all these gambling websites that the Record now seems to turn to for their stories.

They’re quoting the opinions of ex-footballers who can’t get a gig on any reputable sites, or within any reputable media outlets.

I wrote an article last week on John Barnes’ opinion about Brendan Rodgers’ chances of landing a top EPL job.

That came from gambling website Pokerscout.

Barnes was clearly using it as a platform to launch another one of his many attacks on Celtic.

Today, Andy Townsend is quoted as the latest authority on gambling website OLBG, who is in the know when it comes to whether Brendan Rodgers will land a top EPL job in the near future.

Townsend’s opinion is actually quite balanced when you read it.

But the point I’m making is that the media are using what is just the opinion of a former player like he actually has some skin in the game when it comes to what goes on at Celtic Park.

There is nothing factual in what Andy Townsend is saying, it’s just his opinion.

And he certainly isn’t in an position to tout the Celtic manager.

Clearly Alan Galindo of the Record doesn’t understand the definition of touting.

Touting is vigorously and boastfully describing, advertising, or promoting something or someone, especially in a persistent or annoying way.

Townsend isn’t doing that.

He’s just giving his opinion.

And it’s contrary to the opinion John Barnes gave about the Celtic manager last week.

In fact, he’s giving the exact same opinion I gave when I wrote my article about John Barnes.

I said that Brendan Rodgers would not be measured by what he achieved in the Scottish game, but by what he achieved in Europe.

Townsend is of the same opinion:

They’ve (Celtic) shown a good amount of understanding of what’s required in Champions League football. So coming back to Brendan, I most certainly think he is a capable coach and crucially, he believes in himself, Brendan. He’s pretty full of himself.

He knows what he can do, he can handle a job. He’s been at Liverpool. He’s obviously been up at an enormous club like Celtic before coming down to Leicester and winning the FA Cup and things like that.

He’s not afraid to up sticks and go when he fancies it as well, he’s got that in him. If something better comes his way, he might go for it. So Celtic, I’m sure, are very aware of that, that he’s an ambitious guy.

But he’s a decent coach. would be unfair to suggest anything otherwise. Brendan is a very capable football coach and I don’t think he’s done with a Premier League yet, far from it

So Andy Townsend has given his opinion on the Celtic coach.

He isn’t touting him for anything.

No, that’s what Alan Galindo of the Record is attempting to do, because we know the media in Scotland would love to see the back of the Celtic manager.

Such is their desperation that they’ll go to gambling websites for the opinion of a former footballer who hasn’t kicked a ball since the turn of the century.

Then they’ll use a headline like this:

Brendan Rodgers touted for top Premier League jobs as John Barnes claim rubbished and Celtic given warning

Which makes people think that he’ll be off to the Premier League as soon as the next opportunity arises.

When in fact there has been no indication whatsoever that this is the case.

The SMSM are desperate for Rodgers to leave Scottish football again.

They’d love if he did it in similar fashion to his last departure from Celtic.

They’re also desperate for the American takeover to happen at Ibrox.

But as we’re beginning to realise, as we knew we would, that is NOT going to be as straightforward as they imagine.

As usual, it’s taking Celtic websites to point out the reality here.

And funnily enough, we’re never too far from the truth.

The media won’t tell the truth, and the Ibrox fans will never listen to the truth.

But we will.

Brendan Rodgers isn’t going to the EPL.

And the big takeover is miles away yet, if it ever happens.

We’ll keep doing what we do, and the media will keep doing what they do.

Guess who’ll end up looking like fools in the end, though?