BLOCKBUSTER

Lawwell hails Rodgers as the perfect leader who will relish the prospect of Celtic’s box-office draw

PETER LAWWELL last night declared Brendan Rodgers to be the perfect Celtic manager — after the Northern Irishman’s endeavours were rewarded with a scintillating Champions League draw.

The Parkhead side will face five-time winners Bayern Munich, mega-rich Paris Saint-Germain and Belgian champions Anderlecht in a section that offers glamour but also some hope of securing European football after Christmas.

Speaking after the draw was made in Monaco yesterday evening, the club’s chief executive paid tribute to the job the former Liverpool boss has presided over in the past 15 months. And, after seeing his club take their place in

the hat for the second successive season, Lawwell said he wouldn’t swap Rodgers for any other manager in world football at this moment in time. ‘I think we have got an outstanding manager. He’s exceptional,’ said Lawwell. ‘There is no one I would like to have as the manager of Celtic at this moment in time than Brendan Rodgers. ‘He’s a delight to work with and has done a fantastic job. I haven’t spoken to him since the draw was made but I’m sure he’ll be relishing this. I’m sure he’ll be loving the prospect of going in with the three sides. ‘For me, he’s a standout. With the difficulties that present themselves in qualifying for the group stage of the Champions League so early in the season, with a team that’s changing and the injuries we’ve had particularly this year, plus all the travelling involved, to do that two years in running is a phenomenal achievement for Brendan and the guys.’ Now under the stewardship of Carlo Ancelotti, Munich’s all-star cast will arrive in Glasgow seeking to take a step towards winning the trophy they last lifted in 2013. PSG have never won the trophy but the recent world record outlay of £198m on Neymar was an enormous statement of intent by their Qatari owners. Belgian champions Anderlecht reached the last eight of the Europa League last season and will be seen as Celtic’s main competition for the Europa League place. ‘It’s amazing. Just a fantastic draw,’ added Lawwell. ‘It could have been easier but it’s certainly box office. ‘We’ll relish these magnificent clubs coming to Glasgow and Celtic Park. We’re all delighted. ‘It’s nice to have something fresh and the supporters will enjoy watching these teams. It was 2003-04 the last time we played Bayern Munich and Anderlecht — and you need to go back to the 1990s for the last time PSG came over. ‘So it’s good to have that aspect of being fresh. It’s a formidable task ahead of us in terms of trying to qualify for the last 16 or getting into the Europa League. But we are Celtic and anything can happen. ‘When you are in this competition, that’s the sort of level you want to get to. European football after Christmas is the plan. ‘We’ve three extraordinary nights at Celtic Park to look forward to now. They are going to be phenomenal. ‘It’s three fantastic sides packed with world-class players. They’ll be brilliant events.’ Celtic’s return to this stage last year saw them pitted against Manchester City, Barcelona and Borussia Monchengladbach. Rodgers’ side recorded three draws from six matches and will fancy themselves to improve upon that total this time around. ‘The experience of last year should stand us in good stead,’ said Lawwell. Assistant boss Chris Davies, while recognising the gulf in resources at play, also insisted Rodgers will not consider any form of defeatist attitude. ‘I think that’s what people will immediately look to,’ when asked about the perception of fighting Anderlecht for third. ‘I think from our perspective it certainly won’t be the message that we’re internally giving to the players from the manager. ‘That’s just not the way that we work, that we’re resigning ourselves to third place. A club of this size doesn’t do that.’