BURNS SALUTE
Rodgers will have Tommy on his mind in the moment he clinches his f irst Celtic title
BRENDAN RODGERS last night admitted he will be thinking of the late Tommy Burns at the moment he clinches his first title as Celtic manager.
Victory over Hearts at Tynecastle today will confirm a sixth successive crown for Celtic and the first league honour of Rodgers’ managerial career.
The Northern Irishman worked under Burns as a youth coach at Reading in the late 90s and cites the former Parkhead boss as a significant influence on his career. On his first day in the job, Rodgers revealed that the two men had once spoken of teaming up in Glasgow, a dream denied by Burns’ passing in 2008.
‘There will be many thoughts for many people and hopefully they can be proud of the work we have done,’ said Rodgers. ‘You think of the great man Tommy Burns, who never won a title here. I’ll think of the commitment he gave to Celtic and the privilege it is for me to lead the club when we actually do get over the line.’
Rodgers enjoyed success in guiding Swansea City to Premier League promotion in 2011 and was named England’s manager of the year after taking Liverpool to within a game of winning the title in 2014, but admits he has long coveted a first championship winner’s medal.
‘When I went into Liverpool, it was no good if I won a trophy but finished eighth,’ he said. ‘I’d seen a manager, Kenny (Dalglish), get the sack, having won the League Cup and lost an FA Cup final.
‘So I could see that wasn’t what they wanted. For me, it was about consistency, trying to win the league and building on that.
‘I think the mark of success is consistency over the course of the season. That’s the great signifier of your work.’
Celtic’s relentless domestic form has not only carried them through the Premiership campaign undefeated but also borne success in the League Cup and progression to a Scottish Cup semi-final against Rangers.
‘It’s been a great season so far but we want to get the job done as quickly as we can,’ continued Rodgers.
‘If we can, then to win the league while unbeaten would be a great achievement. Then we can really focus on the semi-final.’