MILNER: BRENDAN BETTER THAN EVER Liverpool star insists Rodgers has improved since fighting for Prem title

JAMES Milner today insisted that Brendan Rodgers is a better manager now than when he led Liverpool to the brink of their first English title in 24 years back in 2014.

And the England midfielder has predicted the Northern Irishman will ensure Celtic bounce back from their Champions League exit by clinching a place in the Europa League group stages.

Rodgers came in for fierce criticism last week following his side’s aggregate defeat to AEK Athens in the third qualifying round of Europe’s premier club competition. But Milner, who Rodgers signed for Liverpool in 2015, feels there is no disgrace is failing to successfully negotiate four qualifying rounds. And he is confident his old boss will recover from that setback immediately by overcoming FK Suduva in the Europa League play-off.

The 61-times capped

player feels his former manager’s time at Anfield, where he was sacked after just over three seasons in charge, will prove invaluable during this difficult spell.

“Brendan did well at Anfield and he came so close to ending that long wait for the title,” said Milner. “He’ll be a better manager now for his experience at Liverpool.

“The success he’s had in Scotland suggests that. Brendan did a good job at Liverpool and he’s doing a good job at Parkhead.

“Liverpool’s loss has been Celtic’s gain. He came here and he’s won every trophy so far – he hasn’t lost a cup tie since he came to Celtic, which is ridiculous – no matter what level you’re playing at.”

Milner added: “The Champions League is very tough, especially when you factor in the number of games Celtic need to play to reach the groups.

“People see some of the teams involved and they think it’s going to be easy, but it hardly ever works out that way.”