Barton’s FA betting hearing postponed

that Rodgers is in any way susceptible at Celtic given his extraordinary domestic dominance this season which, in all likelihood, will lead to only the fourth Treble in the club’s history.

However, having had his fingers burned at Anfield, Rodgers is wise enough to know that attitudes can quickly change in the fickle world of football and a poor start to next season may put him under pressure.

He added: “At Liverpool we reached the Champions League for the first time in five or six seasons, played some of the best football in Europe, and were one of the few in the league to score 100 goals.

“I got offered a new deal and signed for four years, everyone was great.

“Then, a couple of months later, there were cries for me to be out. So it could well happen here.

“We could have a good season, win a double or treble, go unbeaten, whatever.

“But the way modern society works there could be a clamour for me to be out by September [if things aren’t going well].

“What can you do? You can only do your best.” Joey Barton’s Football Association hearing into betting charges has been postponed.

The 34-year-old Burnley midfielder was due to appear before an English FA commission yesterday, having accepted a misconduct charge relating to 1,260 bets over a 10-year period. It is possible a lengthy ban could ensue – though no direct precedent exists – and the Clarets were prepared for the fact that he could have played his final match for the club with his contract up at the end of the season.

Barton is free to play in Sunday’s Premier League match at Liverpool.