Steven Sidwell revealed that Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers and Rangers boss Steven Gerrard stayed in the same hotel on their holidays after the two sides clashed at Ibrox in December.
The Gers defeated the Hoops 1-0 at Ibrox in the latest Old Firm derby and former Premier League midfielder Sidwell shared that the two managers stayed in the same hotel in Dubai following the encounter.
Sidwell added that he didn’t spot them chatting but given how close together they were, he did mention they were 10-yards apart at one point, but it was obvious they exchanged words.
“I didn’t see them speak but obviously they had a chat, but I had a good chat with both of them and they were in good spirits and yeah obviously they got a break then went for some warm weather training afterwards,” said Sidwell on talkSPORT (Wednesday January 16th, 12:08pm).
Sky Sports presenter Jim White then responded to Sidwell’s surprise story to reveal he knew “both were in Dubai” but didn’t know they were in the same hotel to which Sidwell replied “yeah they were both there” before revealing Teddy Sheringham and Joe Cole were there as well.
OPINION
It honestly sounds like Sidwell has had some weird football dream where recognisable faces are popping up to surprise him, yet the former Fulham midfielder confidently told the story and it even managed to surprise White with his tale. While it’s unconfirmed whether Rodgers and Gerrard did exchange words following Rangers’ 1-0 win over Celtic, it’s hard to see how they didn’t. As Sidwell mentioned they were both at the hotel and unless they went to great lengths to avoid each other, it seems more than likely the pair had a brief talk at the very least. It’s kind of surprising to hear two managers of rival clubs practically holidaying so close together, but you’d assume that sort of thing probably happens more often than you think. Football managers and footballers probably normally go to the most exclusive hotels so obviously they are going cross paths regardless of their clubs being archrivals like Rangers and Celtic are.