Rat

A term used across the entire English speaking world for someone who is apparently “a despicable person, especially one who betrays or informs upon associates“. Especially commonly used in crime fiction.

In football circles, this term is used mostly for those who have been seen to have betrayed or turned their back on the support.

At Celtic, there have been various people described as a ‘Rat‘, most notably Brendan Rodgers at the time of his premature departure from the managerial role at the end of his first stint. Ironically, he returned to the role in 2023, with some biting their tongue on the appointment.

A few people over the years who have been tagged as a ‘Rat‘ have included:

• Craig Burley
• Liam Miller
• Kenny Miller
• Maurice Johnston
• Islam Feruz
• Brendan Rodgers
• Jon Guidetti

It’s puerile and most often a term applied in the heat of the moment. Once emotions are dampened down, the tag most often dilutes or disappears.

On this site we do not necessarily condone the tagging of anyone as a Rat, but it’s done by all supports across the game, and outwith of sport too.

With so much money flying around the game and decisions made for financial and egotistical reasons, and not for the benefit of the local communities and support, you’ll continue to get ‘rats‘ in the game. It’s inevitable. They’ll supposedly play up to the media masters (Burley), do as their agents instruct them for financial reasons (Feruz) or just go for egotisitical/ambition reasons (Rodgers).

Often it backfires, as those others who instead invest their time with a long-run at Celtic get it repaid back tenfold from the support not just when the players are at the club but for all time after playing. Compare that to Lustig v his compatriot Guidetti. Lustig has had the better football life.

Best to turn the other cheek if ever that tag is directed at anyone, and best not get offended, and possibly best not use it ourselves.