Lennon hails role model Rodgers

Neil Lennon admits he still looks up to class-act Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers.

The Hibernian manager faces his old side for the first time today and will be tasked with finding a way to halt the relentless winning machine pieced together by Rodgers.

Lennon knows the unique pressures facing his compatriot from Northern Ireland having previously managed the Hoops himself. But the way Rodgers has handled himself amid the Old Firm spotlight has only convinced Lennon of his qualities as both a boss and man.

“I’ve got a very good relationship with Brendan,” he said. “He was very good to me when I was coming through as a coach at Celtic. I had a couple of days with him at Reading.

“He’s gone on to do fantastic things and I admire him. I admire him for the sacrifices and the work he’s put in to get to where he is in is career.

“He’s brought a sense of class to the game up here with the way everything is done, whether it be the way Celtic play or they conduct themselves.

“He’s a very good role model for any aspiring manager and he’s very intelligent too.

“He gets his message across. Unlike myself, you never see him involved in any controversy, so he handles the pressure of the job very well. And he has raised the bar to a very good level.”

Rodgers, who will be without midfielders Scott Brown and Stuart Armstrong through injury, is keen to keep it all in context after Wednesday night’s stunning Champions League win over Anderlecht.

The Hoops bounced back from a 5-0 home defeat by PSG to set up a crucial Group B double-header with Bayern Munich.

He said: “I live in the real world with the players and we only focus on our next game.

“If you go to Anderlecht and don’t get the result then you are chasing in the next two games and then it can all come down to the last game.

“For us it is one win and one loss in what is a really tough group but ultimately the confidence and belief the players have gained from it is huge.”

Neil Lennon: admires the work the Celtic boss has put in.