DUFF IN.. BROWN OUT?
Coach role for Damien as Rodgers fears his skipper is off Down Under
BRENDAN RODGERS has coaxed Damien Duff to Glasgow with the offer of a Celtic coaching role.
But as the Republic of Ireland legend arrives to bolster the Bhoys’ backroom staff, Rodgers fears he is about to lose his skipper Scott Brown to Australia.
Duff is moving to Scotland next month to take up a role as reserve team coach.
He was a guest of his new employers at Parkhead for Thursday’s Europa League tie against Red Bull Salzburg after beating four rivals to the vacancy.
Duff (right) will assist head of performance Tommy
Mcintyre in overseeing the club’s second string having spoken glowingly only three weeks ago about the prospect of joining the domineering Scottish champions.
“For me, and most Irishmen, Celtic is one of the biggest clubs in the world,” said Duff. “I would swim over to work there.”
But the new start could come at the same time an end of an era at Parkhead as long-serving club captain Brown mulls over the promise of a big money three- year deal with A-league new boys Western Melbourne. The ambitious club want to make the former Scotland captain their marquee signing after winning a franchise spot to play in next season’s top flight.
Brown has a new deal already waiting for his signature on the table in Glasgow but a formal contract offer is expected to arrive from Melbourne by the start of next week.
Rodgers admitted yesterday: “We want him to be here but he will be 34 at the end of this year. For some players, they reach that stage in life and they can pick up a two or three-year deal at that on big money and have an adventure for your family.
“You certainly have to look at it and weigh it up. He has been an incredible servant for the club but I think he has earned that time to make his choice.
“I have spelt out to him how important he is here but I have also given him an unbiased look at it. Football is a very short career.
“I said the same thing to Craig Gordon when Chelsea were keen to take him for good money on offer. ‘OK, this is what you could get at Chelsea, this is what you have here’.” GARETH MCAULEY would love to be reunited at Rangers with ex-ibrox skipper Steven Davis.
But the Northern Ireland defender revealed his pal is keeping mum about his future in the January transfer window.
Davis (right) is surplus to requirements under new Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl and Steven Gerrard is keen to hand him a Rangers return.
Mcauley said: “I know he’s frustrated he’s not playing football and if the opportunity is there for him and things are right with Southampton I’m sure he’d love to come back.
“I don’t know if it’s on the cards but he’s been here before, captained the club and knows what it’s about.
“He’s a top player and a great guy. Could he provide the creativity we need? Possibly.
“The last time I spoke to Steven was at the last international game. He was keeping his cards close to his chest. He was frustrated he wasn’t playing at Southampton but the guys down there know what a
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fantastic player he is. Rangers want to progress and bring in other players. They want to win as a group and any help we can get is more than welcome.”
Meanwhile, Steven Gerrard will not stand in the way of Ovie Ejaria’s return to Liverpool after holding crunch talks with the midfielder yesterday.
The on loan ace has failed to settle at Ibrox and is finding the physical demands of
Scottish football a challenge.
Rangers v Hamilton Tomorrow 3pm