BBC reporter breaks silence on Brendan Rodgers interview after controversial 'good girl' remark

BBC Radio Scotland's Jane Lewis experienced a tense exchange with Brendan Rodgers during a post-match interview, but she assures friends that she wasn't offended by his controversial "good girl" remark.

The awkward situation occurred after Rodgers had a swipe back at comments concerning his Celtic team, who managed to recover and overcome Motherwell in a 3-1 victory on Sunday. Lewis was abruptly cut off by the former Liverpool manager several times when she attempted to press him for more insight.

After being queried by Lewis, Rodgers made the contentious comment: "Okay, are we done? Well done, good girl, cheers." His remarks caused uproar in certain quarters, drawing criticism from For Women Scotland and the Scottish Feminist Network, who demanded an explanation from the Northern Irish coach.

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Nonetheless, Chris McLaughlin, a colleague at the BBC, quoted Lewis on social media platform X, saying that Rodgers' retort didn't offend her. She commented: "Clearly, the interview on Sunday has become a talking point. I don't believe there was any offence meant by Brendan Rodgers - and for my part, there was none taken."

Rodgers also addressed the incident before Wednesday's Scottish Premiership game against Dundee. He mentioned he had been in contact with Lewis since that time. He said: "I will address it because I have been obviously aware of it. Sadly for me in society now we are either looking to offend or find something that is offensive to try to pin onto people.

"Since I've been up here, any journalist or reporter, or anyone in media, I have always based my life on relationships. I have always offered, a warmth, be courteous, offering time to people. So obviously when there was that little bit out there, or that big bit out there. I feel the need to address that. I deal with people in life, relationships with them, I want to help them become better.

"I have spoken to Jane, she wasn't offended, we had a laugh about it, she will continue to ask me awkward questions. But I sit here every week and we have good relations, like I have with most people in my life, whether that is professional or social. The irony of it is I shared with players not so long ago the story of Jessica Watson, a young woman of 16 years of age, travelled solo round the world in a boat. True spirit, it was called, I shared that with the players, what she had been through everything else.

"I found it saddening as much as anything, because one I am not that type of person. I could never be that, it is not how I am built. But it saddens me for society now, because people are trying to find any way to bring you down if they can. If it is not nice."

Celtic are currently two points behind the leaders, Rangers, in the Scottish Premiership table. They're hoping for a third title in a row. After their match with Dundee on Wednesday, they'll face Hearts, Livingston and St Johnstone before the international break in March.