YER MIND TONGUE
Rodgers hopes his mastery of Spanish will let him tune in to Valencia’s dugout orders
Brendan Rodgers will share more than just a touchline with Valencia coach Marcelino on Thursday night.
The Celtic manager embraces the Spaniard’s language and culture as well.
He will reap the benefits of that by tuning in to the dugout shouts of the opposition in Glasgow on Thursday as they try to overcome the Spaniards in the Europa League.
Rodgers’ schooling has always been more about making the l imit of his ambitions global rather than just Glaswegian.
Of course, he is fully focused on domestic matters today when St Johnstone visit Celtic Park in the Scottish Cup.
He and Saints boss Tommy Wright have crossed words in the past but at least they speak the same language.
And in a quieter moment Rodgers will allow his mind to explore the possibilities of a wider, international vista.
The Northern Irishman wants to manage abroad one day and his ability to speak the lingo will help win his players’ hearts as well as their minds.
The Hoops boss has long mastered Spanish but is now adding French to his list of linguistic skills. As he looked ahead to their last-32 clash with Valencia, a club he knows well from studying there as part of his Academy Directors ’ Licence, he said: “I started learning languages when I was working at Reading’s academy.
“I did my first year, went to a college, but I realised after a year that I was playing at it, not doing enough.
“The big turning point was when I went to one- to- one lessons. One of the tutors we used for our academy players was a guy called Julio Delgado – he was the father of Jamie, the famous tennis player.
“Julio was from Madrid and we struck it off in the first lesson. I ended up having two lessons a week with him.
“When I left there and went to Chelsea I continued my Spanish studies.
“So I’ll have a decent idea of what’s being said on Thursday but the thing is, when you learn a language you learn about the culture.
“I always loved and respected people who could just talk and flip into another language.
“People say you have to be in a country to learn a language – and, of course, that helps. But I realised you don’t.
“I’m actually learning French at the moment too.”
Rodgers has found the ability to communicate has helped enormously through his career – even their recruitment of Ukrainian kid Maryan Shved.
He laughed: “A lot of players are surprised when I speak to them in Spanish because normally us British people are a bit insular that way.
“Young Maryan, the player we signed from Ukraine, was a great example of what language can do though.
“He didn’t speak English, I didn’t speak Ukranian but we both spoke Spanish because he had two years at Sevilla.
“If I could do two things in the world I’d speak every language and play every musical instrument. Why? It’s the ability to communicate.
“As you grow older, you understand communication is so important. It’s not perfect by any means but when I set out it was to be able to coach in the language and to be able to speak and greet.
“I always think if you speak to someone in their second language you speak to their head. If you
spea k in
their first language, you speak to their heart.”
Rodgers has yet to work overseas but the 46-year- old intends to change that at some point. He said: “I’d like to manage abroad. I’d like to get out my comfort zone at some point in the next 20 years.
“I’ve enjoyed learning the culture of Spain – and speaking the language opens up South America too.
“I’ve loved going there and having that connection with the people.
“I think they appreciate when you can meet them halfway.”
Rodgers will be looking to get past halfway on Thursday night though, against a side who have played in the last 32 four times in the past decade and only lost one goal in eight games at that stage. Rodgers said: “They’re one of the toughest draws we could have had. They’re the fourth biggest c lub in Spain behind Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, although they’ve had troubles recently.
“They have had a lot of draws but they’ve done well, including two draws with Barcelona.
“They are a top side with great history. We know the challenge we have. “But we’ll look forward to the first leg and with the atmosphere at Celt ic Park we will hope to get a good start.
“We expect to compete. They’re a great club with a great history but that doesn’t give them 12 men.
“It’s still 11 v 11 and we have to use this first leg as an opportunity with our fans and come out of it in a good place, then let’s see. People will look at where they are at and the league they are in, but we’re really positive and hopefully it will be a really good evening.”
Incredibly, it’s been 15 years since Celtic last won a knockout tie a f ter making it through a group stage in Europe – Martin O’Neill ’s side defeated Barcelona in the old UEFA Cup.
But Rodgers is convinced his Hoops side has form and fitness on their side, despite it being two months since their last Euro excursion.
He said: “I don’t think it will be too hard for the players to pick it back up again. It was a great achievement to get through the group we were in. We can draw a line under that.
“Now we come in fresh and ready to go in February.
“That’s the way we have always looked at it. The buzz is there again, it’s a knockout and we will embrace the challenge.”
Rodgers still won’t be able to count on a full-strength side to face Valencia, who take on Real Sociedad today.
But he shrugged: “There’s an opportunity for others to come in. They will get a chance and those who have come in have kept the flow going.
“You miss good players, of course – especially against top opponents. But our team will
be competitive.”
I continued my Spanish studies at Chelsea – I’ll have decent idea of what is being said