Manager feels for Anderlecht boss

CELTIC boss Brendan Rodgers has expressed sympathy with Rene Weiler after the Swiss coach was dismissed by Anderlecht nine days before the teams’ Champions League clash.

Weiler left the Belgian champions on Monday following Saturday’s 2-2 league draw away to Kortrijk.

Anderlecht, who host the Hoops in their second Group B fixture next Wednesday, are nine points adrift of league leaders Club Brugge.

Rodgers said: “I am always disappointed when any manager loses his job.

“He is a not a manager I know, but how more or less difficult it makes the game I am not so sure.

“I am never encouraged when a manager loses his job, I don’t think it’s nice.”

With Paris SaintGermain and Bayern Munich also in Group B, it looks like the Scottish champions and Anderlecht will be vying for third spot and a place in the Europa League.

The Belgian side lost 3-0 to the German giants while PSG beat Celtic 5-0 at Parkhead while in their Group B openers.

Rodgers does not believe the disruption at Anderlecht changes too much in terms of his preparation nor the difficulty of the task.

“It will depend on who goes in,” said Rodgers, whose team also face Rangers before their trip to Brussels. “If it is an interim manager comes in, there will maybe be a continuation.

“If it is someone fresh from outside, you are obviously look into their history at other clubs and how they played and worked.

“So there is always a way to do your analysis but of course it is a little bit more difficult than when a coach is in position and in rhythm with how his teams play and the style they play.

“But no doubt whoever is in charge, for us, it is a tough game and we will look at that when it comes.”