Callum McGregor reckons Celtic's critics have been desperate to stick the boot in - but believes that will only make boss Brendan Rodgers more determined to stay and prove them wrong.
The Hoops have so far this season struggled to match the incredible heights they managed during the Northern Irishmen's first two campaigns in charge.
But that has not stopped Aston Villa reportedly targeting the Parkhead boss as a potential replacement for Steve Bruce.
McGregor would hate to see his double treble-winning leader go and from everything he knows about the former Liverpool boss, does not see his departure happening just yet.
The Scotland international said: "Recently everybody has been giving us a bit of criticism and having a bit of a stab. That's because over the last couple of years nobody has been able to say anything about results or performances.
"So everybody is sort of coming for us a bit now. But we know the strength of our group and our manager and know that we can come out of this really well.
"When the criticism is thrown at the manager, it's in his nature to stay and prove people wrong.
"You want a top manager running your team for as long as you can," he added. "For everybody at Celtic, be it fans or players, we want him to stay and we hope he does."
Scotland take on Israel in the UEFA Nations League on Thursday, live on Sky.