RODGERS DEAL IS STARTER FOR TEN

Lawwell and Rodgers shake on deal to create history

BRENDAN Rodgers declared he is out to deliver 10-in-a-row to Celtic after penning a new deal until 2021.

The Northern Irishman, who has already landed a Ladbrokes Premiership and League Cup double in his first season i n charge, has gone 38 domestic matches unbeaten during his campaign and could become only the third manager in the club’s history to complete a treble.

Having arrived at the club on a oneyear rolling contract, he said he was delighted to pledge the next four years

of his career to what he called “the greatest club in the world” and was planning to see the contract out.

“That [ten in a row] excites the supporters,” said Rodgers. “When you start to accumulate titles and you get up to six then of course that’s what they look towards.

“There’s a heck of a lot of work and things that could change before then. But I just wanted to commit myself to a life I love both professionally and personally.

“Maybe after one or two years the club say ‘Brendan, we have had enough of you, it has been great’,” he added.

“I signed four years at Liverpool and after a year it was ‘thank you very much’. So you never know what will happen. But the plan is to be here for four years.

“Every manager wants to win the league each year. I am no different. We want to dominate Scottish football, get in to the Champions League and make a mark in Europe. The way we are building, that’s the length of time I see will help us do that.”

While the club chose not to reveal the exact compensation should any interested party try to prise him away before then, Rodgers shrugged off speculation suggesting he could be Arsene Wenger’s replacement at Arsenal.

“I didn’t really take any notice of that,” said the Northern Irishman. “I’ve got experience of working at a big club so maybe that can have an influence. But I am happy to be at this club now.”

As a boyhood Celtic supporter, he feels he has a special insight into the club, and will never tire of managing in Scottish football.

“We will play Rangers six times this season,” he said. “I am sure there’s a timeline when you might look at it. But you never get bored of winning.

“There might be other things you want to experience. But I drive in here and it’s like driving into the best cathedral in the world.

“I could be a manager till I’m 60, so that gives me another 16 years. But in these next four years, I want to give everything to Celtic. I have no notion to be anywhere else but here.”