Tuesday’s briefing: Brendan Rodgers leaves Celtic as Martin O’Neill steps in

Brendan Rodgers has resigned as Celtic manager with Martin O’Neill taking temporary charge – a day after they were soundly beaten by Hearts.

Wayne Rooney has criticised Liverpool’s leadership group following the Reds’ slump in form, while Sheffield Wednesday have a number of suitors as the club heads towards new ownership.

Rodgers resigns as Celtic boss

Brendan Rodgers has left Celtic with former boss Martin O’Neill and Shaun Maloney being put in temporary charge at Parkhead.

Rodgers’ second spell at Celtic ended after Sunday’s 3-1 William Hill Premiership defeat at Hearts left them eight points adrift of the Edinburgh side.

A club statement released on Monday night read: “Celtic Football Club can confirm that football manager Brendan Rodgers has today tendered his resignation.

“It has been accepted by the club and Brendan will leave his role with immediate effect.

“We are pleased that during this interim period former Celtic manager, Martin O’Neill and former Celtic player Shaun Maloney have agreed to take charge of Celtic first-team matters.”

Rooney takes aim at Liverpool leaders

Wayne Rooney has questioned the leaders within the Liverpool team as their difficult start to the season continues.

Arne Slot’s side slipped to a fourth straight Premier League defeat on Saturday night after being beaten 3-2 by Brentford, adding to recent defeats against Manchester United, Chelsea and Crystal Palace.

The defending Premier League champions are now seven points behind leaders Arsenal, and Rooney expressed his concerns about the leadership within the team.

Speaking on his podcast The Wayne Rooney Show, the former England and Manchester United striker said: “It has hit them quick, it’s hit them hard and I think they’re struggling to find a way out of it.

“This is a time where the manager, the leaders in the team need to figure it out very quickly. (Virgil) Van Dijk and (Mohamed) Salah signed new deals, but I don’t think they’ve really lead that team this season, with performances and body language.

“Body language tells you a lot and I think we are seeing slightly different body language from the two of them. They are the top two players in that team. If their body language isn’t right that affects everyone else. If I was a Liverpool fan or the manager that would be a big concern for me.”

Interest in Sheffield Wednesday ramps up

Sheffield Wednesday’s joint administrator has confirmed there are “already four or five interested parties that look like the real deal” as the club head toward new ownership.

The Owls, bottom of the Sky Bet Championship, went into administration on Friday and have been handed a 12-point deduction by the English Football League.

Kris Wigfield, joint administrator with insolvency firm Begbies Traynor, told BBC Five Live’s Wake Up to Money programme that new owners could be in place by the end of the year.

He said: “As always, you get a lot of interested parties that probably aren’t going to meet the criteria, but within the numerous inquiries we’ve had, we certainly think that there are already four or five interested parties that look like the real deal.”

Hampton set for comeback against Australia

England boss Sarina Wiegman confirmed Hannah Hampton could be back available to face Australia at Pride Park on Tuesday.

The 24-year-old goalkeeper missed Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Brazil at the Etihad Stadium with a minor elbow issue which saw Khiara Keating earn her first cap for England.

Wiegman said: “She (Hampton) is progressing really well and has ticked all the boxes so far. If things go well, then she will be available tomorrow.”

What’s on today?

In the fourth round of the Carabao Cup, Premier League sides Brentford and Fulham travel to Grimsby and Wycombe respectively, while Wrexham host Cardiff. Sarina Wiegman’s England are in friendly action against Australia at Pride Park.