DADDY’S BHOY
Brendan Rodgers’ son, Anton, turns out for Celtic during last night’s friendly win over BW Linz in Austria. However, the Parkhead manager was at pains to point out after the 1-0 victory that he would NOT be signing the 24-year-old midfielder.
BRENDAN RODGERS dismissed the prospect of signing his son Anton for Celtic after he played as a trialist in a 1-0 win over Austrian outfit BW Linz. A free agent, the former Brighton and Oldham midfielder left Swindon at the end of last season. The 24-year-old was offered pre-season training facilities by his father, and injuries to Eboue Kouassi and Kristoffer Ajer forced the Celtic boss to play his boy for 45 minutes in Austria. However, speaking after James Forrest cracked home the only goal seven minutes from time, Rodgers played down speculation over a deal. ‘Anton has come with us to train and get in good condition for when the English season starts. But we had a few injuries to Eboue and Kristoffer as well as one or two others. ‘Anton is a capable player, he’s not just here as my son. He’s here because he can cope and is technically very gifted. ‘He has a good view of the game and can pass the ball. And to play for us you obviously need to be able to do that. ‘Given we were short of numbers, he was able to go in and play. Without really knowing the other players he did well.’ Asked if there was any possibility of a permanent contract, Rodgers said: ‘It’s never been the case of that. We have got a lot of midfield players and it’s maybe different types we need. He always wants the ball and is very good on setpieces. He has confidence to play. But it’s never been the notion to sign him, it’s just to give him a couple of weeks and then he can see where the next venture is. ‘His son lives down in Reading, so the ideal scenario is that he finds a club close to where he lives. But this has been a real good exercise for him.’ New signing Jonny Hayes played the first 45 minutes as Rodgers fielded two different teams in each half. ‘That first time you pull on the shirt means something,’ said the Celtic boss. ‘It doesn’t matter if it’s a preseason game or a league game. ‘You’re maybe a little bit nervy but you could see his strength and his quality. ‘Once he finds the relationships in training and takes it into the games he will be a great asset.’ Rodgers still hopes to sign another player before the Champions League qualifiers, hinting that his target is a central defender. ‘If I get the next signing in then I’ll be really happy. It will give us real great power and strength and quality. Then we can push on and wait and see what becomes available.’ Rodgers is close to securing Ipswich Town’s Kundai Benyu, a 19-year-old English midfielder. ‘He’s a young player there’s a possibility with. It would be a project for the club. He’s a highly talented and gifted player. Not one for now but one, with development, who is a possibility. Our scouts have looked and he’s a talent. If it’s something we can do we will.’ Meanwhile, Linfield had to rely on a last-minute goal as they struggled to a 1-0 win over La Fiorita in the first leg of their Champions League first qualifying round last night. Jordan Stewart spared their blushes after Aaron Burns had earlier missed a penalty, so they now take a slender advantage to San Marino next week. But boss David Healy is confident his team will still clinch their dream date with Celtic, saying: ‘Our fans got a little bit edgy but it was a great goal from Jordan and I believe we can get through the tie.’