Brendan’s banished boredom from Bhoys
ON THE 10th anniversary of Tommy Burns’ passing the Celtic Graves Society held a special ceremony to celebrate the Parkhead legend’s life. The event at his graveside at Linn Cemetery was attended by Tommy’s friends and family, manager Brendan Rodgers and ex-Celtic boss Gordon Strachan, as well as fans and former Hoops players. of great games but it’s a complex situation throughout the campaign, going into domestic matches on the back of Champions League ties and we also had a lot more injuries this year.” Rodgers stuck another gong on the mantelpiece but it’s the Scottish Cup he is determined to add to his collection this weekend. He said: “The players have done brilliantly and now they have one more game to finish off an absolutely great season.” BY GORDON PARKS PADDY McCOURT has hailed Brendan Rodgers for banishing the boredom factor at Celtic which had become chronic during Ronny Deila’s time as boss.
And the Northern Irish former Hoops star also insists his countryman can take credit for salvaging the careers of a half of the current side who were destined for the Parkhead exit door.
McCourt admits his old club’s trophy hunting had become a turn-off before the Rodgers effect transformed the champions into box office entertainers once again.
He said: “I’ve always watched Celtic but even though we were still winning the league, like many fans I thought it was getting a bit tedious.
“But the last couple of years I have really enjoyed watching them play again.
“The buzz is back and the most impressive thing is I could name five or six players who were struggling and looked on their way out but they’ve all been transformed under Brendan into automatic first-team picks.
“Brendan has upped the quality and revived a few of the players. To be heading into their sixth trophy in two seasons is impressive.”
The man once described as the Derry Pele also has an insight into Motherwell boss Stephen Robinson from his stint with Northern Ireland.
The Fir Park gaffer’s time as assistant under Michael O’Neill with the national side provided McCourt a glimpse of a managerial style which will be utilised during Saturday’s Scottish Cup Final.
He said: “Stephen worked with Michael for over two years and he was very rigid in his management style and how he got his teams to play.”