Rodgers hails the heavens to

Celtic manager drew inspiration from the late Jock Stein and his own father, hears Graeme Macpherson

Photograph: SNS

BRENDAN Rodgers evidently knows what he’s doing. He knows what he’s saying, too. When you are in charge of a Celtic team that has just thrashed Rangers 5-1, then every utterance that comes out of your mouth will be seized upon as if it had just emanated from a burning bush. The temptation to gloat about your part in that accomplishment must be almost overwhelming.

Rodgers, though, resisted. Instead he chose to praise the influence of Jock Stein, his legendary predecessor, on the anniversary of his death in 1985. He also mentioned his late father, who passed away on the same day 26 years later. And there was a rather subtle taking-down of Joey Barton without even mentioning the Rangers midfielder’s name. Even in the almost immediate aftermath of such a frenetic contest, Rodgers maintained ice-cool composure.

Mentioning Stein will always play well with the Celtic support and, on the 31st anniversary of his shock death in Cardiff, Rodgers revealed he had taken inspiration from the man whose statue – European Cup in hand – stands outside the front door of Celtic Park. It was part of a pre-match team talk to a group of players, the majority of whom were not even born when Stein tragically passed away in 1985. Those words, delivered just moments before the high-noon kick-off, evidently had the desired effect, Celtic cantering to victory on the back of a Moussa Dembele hat-trick.

“It is ironic that today is the 31st anniversary of Jock Stein [dying],” said Rodgers. “This is a guy who created a template here and I am proud there is a team today which