Rodgers finds Hampden a joy and a letdown
BRENDAN RODGERS may enjoy an unblemished record at Hampden but the Celtic manager admits Scotland’s national stadium is far from perfect. Rodgers has won three semi-finals and two cup finals at the old venue and could write another piece of folklore today should he become the first Celtic manager since Jock Stein to win four domestic trophies in a row.
The former Liverpool boss appreciates the ground’s historical significance but, preparing for the Betfred League Cup final against Motherwell, admits the spectator experience leaves much to be desired.
He said: ‘If you’re talking about access, comfort, the view of the game, there are many things about Hampden that are not good.
‘It’s not a great stadium. There’s better. It’s not ideal and I don’t know the real story behind the investment and how it was reformed.
‘You think about the supporters and I hear enough people saying it’s not very good.
‘My experience of it has been great of course. But I’m the lucky one that gets to stand at the side of the pitch. I always wonder about how much the people behind the goal really see.’
The SFA retain a lease at Hampden which expires in 2020 and the SRU have recently gone public on their willingness to stage future football internationals and domestic cup finals at Murrayfield. Rodgers stepped back from offering an opinion on Hampden’s future but admitted there remains a strong emotional pull to the Glasgow ground. ‘That is the other side to Hampden,’ said Rodgers. ‘It’s where all the stories are down the years, right back to the black-and-white pictures. Real Madrid and European Cup and Champions League finals, so there is a real historical element. ‘I know there is a real mindset for a lot of negatives around Scotland but I try to look for real positives. ‘I have enjoyed going to Hampden and sometimes the atmosphere is right up there. After the Scotland v England game I remember people saying the whole place shook, so it has the potential and possibility. ‘But I’ve never been to the other stadiums. Hearts were playing at Murrayfield, which looks a proper, well thought out stadium. ‘It’s one for the SFA to decide.’
After last season’s clean sweep of domestic trophies, Rodgers’ team have continued in unbeaten form this term and are overwhelming favourites to lift the first trophy of the new campaign.
‘My job at Celtic is to add to the legacy, so when the time comes for me to pass the ball to someone else, we have really added to the cycle,’ he continued. ‘What we have been working on is a real dominant cycle where we play football that brings joy to the supporters.
‘There is a wonderful history here at Celtic and my job is only to add to that legacy.’
Now 64 games unbeaten, Celtic have yet to face Motherwell and their manager Stephen Robinson this term.
‘They’ll be committed and will see it as an opportunity,’ added Rodgers. ‘There will be different pressures for them. If you’ve five or six things to think about in a normal game, in a cup final you’ve got about 20.
‘From what I’ve seen of Motherwell, they’re very committed. Stephen has done a great job with them. They play in a way which is different to ours. They get it up front early, get it wide, get crosses in and they have a striker in Louis Moult who takes his goals really well.
‘We’re happy to have the pressure. If people want to say Celtic are the favourites, then there’s no problem. That’s what we want.’