MICHAEL’S CELTIC TO THE CORE

BRENDAN RODGERS doesn’t know if Michael O’Neill will be Scotland’s new manager.

But if the SFA do get their No.1 target they can rest assured they have a perfect ally in the Celtic boss.

Rodgers sees big possibilities within the national squad for Gordon Strachan’s successor.

No wonder. He works with the majority of them on a daily basis.

Strachan received a huge benefit during the World Cup 2018 qualifying campaign from the way Rodgers’s magical coaching touch and expertise at club level prepared players such as Scott Brown, Craig Gordon, Kieran Tierney, Leigh Griffiths, Stuart Armstrong, James Forrest and Callum McGregor to boost the bid.

That Parkhead core will be central to O’Neill’s plans for Euro 2020 and beyond if he takes the job.

Others such as Ryan Christie, when he returns next summer from a loan spell at Aberdeen, and defender Anthony Ralston could also figure.

Rodgers may not have a direct influence on the Scotland set-up but his indirect association will be vital to any Hampden chief and the Celtic gaffer is happy to be of assistance.

He said: “Michael will be disappointed at missing out on the World Cup with Northern Ireland.

“But if you look at Scotland, it’s an exciting group and if he can pull them together and develop them he would maybe have a chance of getting them to their first championships in 20-odd years and maybe on to a World Cup after that.

“I want to help. There is a real energy about the Celtic players when they go there and there is a real core of them that can help.

“Scott Brown was away with Scotland but didn’t play. Stu had a slight abductor injury but he’s played a lot of games. There was no need to risk it.

“But there weren’t too many who weren’t away in one way or another and they have all come back and are happy.

“Some have had a rest but others played and were happy to play for their countries. Kieran has shown qualities. He is a young guy who is developing and maturing on and off the field.

“It’s brilliant watching that maturity develop. Because of his level of play he has the respect and how he carries himself.

“His first target will be 50 games. That is what they all look to at international level and if he can stay injury free then there is every chance he will go on and get many more caps.

“He can be a great leader for Scotland and I think he will be a captain here at Celtic one day.

“He is learning from a great captain at the minute in Scott.

“At that level there is still more to come from Callum as he gains more confidence.

“He has this great ability to keep the ball and that’s so important at international level.

“You see it in the Champions League, so he’ll be an important player over the next 10 years for Scotland. I was also delighted Ryan played for Scotland and that is one of the principle reasons for putting him out.

“If he isn’t going to be playing games here, he goes to a club where he is under pressure and with a good manager like Derek McInnes and he gets games.

“He’s getting games and his body is getting stronger.

“So when he comes back here in the summer we have gained another player. I was delighted for him.”

While Scotland are building for that major tournament appearance Rodgers has others who will already savour it.

Tom Rogic and Mikael Lustig won places at Russia 2018 with Australia and Sweden this week.

Rodgers added: “It’s brilliant. I’m really happy for Tom. It makes all the effort of travelling around the world each time worth it.

“He’s going to get to a World Cup, having missed out on the last one in Brazil.

“For Mika, that was amazing for Sweden. He deserves it. To beat Italy over two games was great. Cristian Gamboa is also there with Costa Rica. Denmark are through, so there’s a chance for Erik Sviatchenko as well.

“It’s the pinnacle of an international career so I’m delighted for the guys who have a chance to go.”

Rodgers delights in seeing his stars prosper for their nations but it’s at home where it really counts for him and he’ll instantly whip the travellers back into Celtic mode for the next punishing period.

The champions face a hectic spell before the new year with 13 games including a couple of Champions League outings and a League Cup Final against Motherwell on Sunday week.

Rodgers knows it’s a crucial time and said: “Once all the players are back from international duty we will focus on this next period through to the end of December.

“We have clear goals and targets to try to achieve in this period and that will make sure we keep our minds focused on our work.

“It’s a great spell of games, it’s where we need the squad, but they are brilliant matches for us.

“It’s still very early but we just have to keep focusing on ourselves. We have to play well.

“We’ve got a lot of really exciting fixtures. We know what we want to achieve but we know there is a lot of hard work involved.”

Dingwall tomorrow is the first stop on the trek where the 63-game unbeaten domestic run goes on the line against Ross County.

Rodgers said: “It’ll end at some point. We only focus on the next game and we won’t be giving it up easy.

“The squad is coming back now. I see the competitiveness in the players now.

“We have Patrick Roberts back training, Jozo Simunovic is back and the players are hungry. Leigh is back training this week.

“Erik played 45 minutes of a practice match, although they are maybe not football fit.

“There is a difference between fit and football fit but the availability is there and we go into every game planning to win. There is no difference.”

TOMMY EYES IRELAND JOB