RIGHT FIT FOR BREN
BRENDAN RODGERS insists Celtic’s Champions League clash with Bayern Munich proved Parkhead was the right place for him.
The Hoops boss spoke of his intent to fulfil his four-year contract as he dismissed speculation linking him with Chelsea amid increasing pressure on Antonio Conte.
And Rodgers wants defender Dedryck Boyata to commit long term too, revealing the Belgian’s advisors have spoken to Celtic chief Peter Lawwell.
Some in England still can’t understand why Rodgers chose Celtic last year but the 44-year-old pointed to Tuesday’s 2-1 defeat as proof he is in the right place at this time in his career.
Rodgers said: “There were 60,000 fans in the ground creating an incredible atmosphere and we were going toe to toe with one of the top six sides in world football.
“There are not many places in world football where I would get the opportunity to do that.
“I don’t need validation to be at Celtic. I loved working in England – the Premier League is a fantastic league and I loved the pressures of it.
“But when I was looking for somewhere to go after Liverpool and I was refreshed and ready to work, I needed to get the right club – and Celtic was the right club for me.
“I knew I’d be tested at Celtic because you have to win every game. There is no other club in Britain that has that.”
Rodgers reiterated his desire to develop players, insisting Celts are going in the “right direction” .
And he added: “I signed a new four-year deal and I hope I can be at Celtic for that time. I am loving my football life at Celtic and we have a lot of work to get to where we want to be as a club and sustain this cycle of winning.”
Now 62 domestic matches unbeaten and in the Champions League group stage for a second year running, his name has come up in relation to former club Chelsea.
But Rodgers’s response to the link was emphatic as he said: “It is irrelevant. In modern football now there’s lots of speculation.
“Managers now aren’t in jobs long so there is this recycling of names and managers and coaches.”
Rodgers expects wideman Patrick Roberts back from a hamstring injury in four to six weeks.
And he declared he’s desperate to tie down Boyata – whose error handed Bayern their opener – on a new deal.
He said: “Dedryck would go into his final year next summer but I’d love him to stay. I hope he does stay.
“His representatives have spoken to Peter and I’ve spoken to Dedryck.
“He understands what I think but you always have to respect the player. We will chat again.”
● Rodgers was speaking at an event in Belfast to promote his new autobiography with proceeds for the evening going to the Northern Ireland Hospice. KIERAN TIERNEY, Callum McGregor and James Forrest – three Scots who started out as schoolboys in the Celtic youth system.
Now three boys who have matured and developed into proper performers at the highest level in the Champions League.
It’s the Brendan Rodgers vision, the progression he promised when he walked in the door.
But seeing that vision become a reality doesn’t just offer him hope and conviction about the future, it gives the gaffer pride.
Defeated, yes. But Celtic had heroes everywhere against Bayern Munich and none stood taller than the ones who started life at Parkhead as kids.
Tierney outstanding against Arjen Robben in a defensive role.
Forrest having his best Champions League game for the club with a scintillating show.
And McGregor strutting in the middle of the park, demanding possession, making passes, scoring a crucial goal.
Rodgers had every right to purr at their performances which were hugely significant going forward for Celtic but also for Scotland.
It doesn’t stop, however. It was just the next significant stage of a long-term project designed to see more talented youngsters repeat such feats as the manager grows his kids and his club.
Rodgers said: “In the last two groups of the Champions League we have arguably played against four of the world’s top six teams.
“A year on you see the progress of those boys. Just a confidence to play and to understand the game tactically.
“Our was goal was top quality and it was two Scottish boys involved in it. A brilliant piece of skill by James and then the run and finish from Callum is sensational.
“All those Scottish boys can be very proud. They are playing in a way that allows them to develop and showcase what top talents they can be.
“The more experience they get at this level the better it bodes for Celtic and for Scotland. I’ve tried to give them the idea of playing the game at the very highest level. The courage they showed against Bayern, they tried to do that.
“It’s very easy to be pragmatic and sit in but it gives you pride when you see players play like that.
“When they do, they are only going to get better and gain more confidence from it. They can see what they can achieve.
“They showed the confidence they have and it’s just a process. You can’t just click your fingers and make it happen.
“The vision is simple. Win titles, as many as possible. Cups, leagues. Play an attacking and aggressive style of football to win and with a number of players from the academy base.
“It’s always been the vision and the vision we are rolling out into the reality. The club and the players are getting their rewards but we have to keep developing.”
Tierney is perhaps the ultimate flag bearer for the next generation.
At the age of 20 he’s attracting Europe’s elite. Rodgers has shaped him into a genuine top-level operator and Tierney was this week rewarded for his work and talent with a six-year contract.
Rodgers savours such progression. The fact Tierney’s a huge Celtic supporter likely made negotiations simple, although the boss joked and said: “Oh no, Kieran’s as tight as a dead heat!”
But when it came to the player’s talent and dedication to the cause, Rodgers was deadly serious.
He said: “Kieran’s a great kid, he’s loving his development here and he’s Celtic daft. The last players you saw like that are Tommy Burns or Peter Grant.
“He’s so passionate about it. But the most important thing is he and his family see the development and he’s still in that cycle of learning.
“He’s developing into a brilliant player. Kieran’s in a place and an environment where he knows he’s improving. You saw against Bayern how he’s improving with how he’s being asked to play in Europe.
“I’ve worked with who I consider to be the two best full-backs in Britain – Danny Rose at Watford and Ryan Bertrand at Chelsea. Kieran is right up there with those boys. If he ever goes in the future,