wilhailsfrom majorleague
MAX Rogers reckons any perception of the MLS as a retirement league is an outdated stereotype.
And the Motherwell assistant believes Celtic have brought in a manager from a top league following last week’s appointment of Wilfried Nancy.
The Frenchman, 48, savoured success in Major League Soccer with CF Montreal and Columbus Crew before Celtic secured him as Brendan Rodgers’ permanent successor.
But Nancy got off to a losing start in his first game in charge as Hearts won 2-1 at Celtic Park to move three points clear at the top of the Premiership.
Rogers knows some will still dismiss the standard of the set-up Nancy has swapped for Celts but is adamant they are wrong.
Rogers coached in the United States in the USL Championship – the second tier – at Miami, Indy Eleven, Saints Louis and Orlando City.
And he insists the MLS is not some small-time backwater where players go to wind down their careers but rather is of a high standard, packed with top players.
Rogers said: “There’s a lack of knowledge about the MLS. It’s an easy thing to say because there is this stereotype about Americans and soccer.
“It’s totally unfair. They consistently produce top- quality players who go play across Europe.
“The MLS is not a small time league. There’s a lot of top talent in there from the US and South America.
“The proof will be in how he adapts but that’s not my responsibility. You have to look at ways to attract supporters to the game. In America and the MLS, initially they used the money they had to attract European players who were coming towards the end of their career.
“They knew that would get fans into the grounds to engage with football more. You see that less now, although you do have guys like Lionel Messi and Thomas Muller going over there still to finish their careers.
“The talent coming through is at a very good level.”
Rogers got a glowing recommendation from Anthony Pulis on Nancy.
The Real Salt Lake assistant came up against him in the MLS and was full of praise.
So much so, Rogers is relishing when Motherwell take on the Hoops on December 30.
He added: “I haven’t come across him directly but I spoke to a good friend of mine, Anthony Pulis, who works out there with Real Salt Lake.
“He spoke very highly of him. I believe Nancy has a very good reputation for coaching and developing teams and players.
“He got success with Columbus and it’s a good, exciting appointment for Scottish football.
“It’s good to have a different face in the Scottish game who can help evolve the game here.
“I’m sure he doesn’t think he’s going to rewrite Scottish footbal l or anything like that.
“But it’s an opportunity for a new fresh face to come in with new ideas.
“We look forward to going up against him.”