TALKING CELTIC
at Celtic that Hartley can still lift the phone to. The former Hoops midfielder, part of the side which came back to win what had looked like an improbable title on the last night of the season in 2007-08 with victory over Dundee United at Tannadice, has also established a rapport with Rodgers. The Celtic manager offered his number on his inaugural meeting with Hartley and the Dens Park boss believes that the influence of Rodgers has had an uplifting effect on the league as a whole.
There has been criticisms, some more vocal than others, about the way that Celtic have dominated the domestic landscape this season after dropping just four points in the 28 league games they have played.
CELTIC remain unbeaten and odds-on for only the fourth Treble in their history. What appears obvious, though, is that Rodgers has raised the profile of the l eague and while onlookers may not be favourable with their observations, there is a feeling the Celtic manager has contributed to elevating the standard.
“There has been a lot of negativity surrounding the game, not j ust domestically but around the national team too,” said Hartley.
“Bringing him in and the quality of football that he has brought to football has been good to watch. You always want to pit your wits against the top managers and there is no doubt that Brendan is one of the top managers in Britain.
“You saw his record at Liverpool and at Swansea and for me to go up against Brendan Rodgers, it has got to be something you enjoy.
“He’s an outstanding manager and someone who’s got a lot of time for other managers when he comes in the office. Somebody that I think you can pick the phone up to and talk to. Any time he’s been in and we’ve been in his company, he’s been excellent.
“We’ve had a chat and a couple of text messages. The last time he came into the office, he gave me his number straight away.
“That tells you the type of person that he is. He’s got time for everybody involved in the game. He’s done an outstanding job.
He’s an excellent manager and anybody that talks about him, the way that he works and his man management, says he has something about him.”