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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Mark Pirie

9 Celtic takeaways from Brendan Rodgers unveiling as he sets big Champions League target and transfer power put in focus

It was always going to be blockbuster - and Brendan Rodgers' first press conference since returning as Celtic boss certainly delivered.

Initially viewed as a controversial appointment after his sudden departure during his first time in the Parkhead hot seat for Leicester City, the sceptics among the Celtic support are slowly warming up to the idea of a Treble winner taking over from Ange Postecoglou. However, the first words uttered when Rodgers faced the media were always going to play a part in winning back the punters ahead of the new campaign.

There was plenty on the agenda from how he left during his first time to transfer budgets ahead of the new campaign with the Champions League on the mind of plenty of fans going into the new season. Silverware will also be demanded coming off the back of Treble winning campaign - and Rodgers was all too aware of the demands of Glasgow as he looks to keep Michael Beale's Rangers at bay.

So what was the key takeaways from the incoming boss and his first meeting with the media? Record Sport takes a look.

The 'outstanding' candidate

Chairman Peter Lawwell was first up as he lauded Rodgers - as he named the standout reasons that saw Rodgers preferred over the likes of Enzo Maresca despite some cynics remaining in the Parkhead support. It was a glowing report card - but is it one that all Celtic fans will agree with?

The Parkhead chief said: "He knows Celtic, he knows the club, he knows how we work and he had an outstanding track record the last time he was here. He knows the backroom and the executive, he is an ideal candidate."

Rodgers names his regrets

It was always going to come up - but one of the first questions thrown at the incoming boss was about the way he left Celtic Park for Leicester. Some were expecting an apology from the Irishman over his departure first time around amid continued anger from fan group the Green Brigade.

Brendan Rodgers is unveiled as the new Celtic manager at Celtic Park (SNS Group)

While it didn't go that far Rodgers did move to calm the storm as he opened up on his key regret over his departure - claiming the fury was "natural". He said: "It's natural when I Ieft. It was a sad moment. I certainly don't regret it but what I do regret is the hurt that it caused people. It's the very reason I'm sat here today. As a Celtic supporter I understood what it meant, and probably more so when I left. That was my regret, that I hurt people who were Celtic supporters. And it was a big part of coming back."

Ange gets the message

There hasn't been a phone call with the now-Tottenham boss - but Rodgers lifted the lid on messages the pair have exchanged. He tipped his cap to his predecessor and the side he has built as he promised fans the football philosophy "won't be too different".

He wasn't asking for too many tips as he admitted he has been watching Celtic during the Angeball era. But is Rodgers-ball 2.0 going to have an Australian flavour to it?

The European dream

With all the talk of the Champions League being key for the boss and his comeback to Celtic Park - the question is what does success actually look like for the Scottish champions? They looks set to be in pot 4 when the group stage draw takes place - giving them an uphill battle to reach the knockout rounds

However, the Irishman reckons that improvements can be made in the Europa League and Conference League pathways - with the last 16 of Europe's elite competition being a "big step" for the a Scottish team by Rodgers own admission. He pointed to "competitions" that with "luck" you can go a long way - outside of the Champions League

Insight on transfer plans

Rodgers was determined to add to his squad - but didn't promise a lot of new faces coming in the door. He stated that he want to build while Celtic are on top off the back of a Treble, but on with players who could add quality.

He wants players who buy-in to his attacking philosophy that he had in place first-time around the block at Celtic Park. Rodgers said "it's not lots of numbers" as he focussed on "developing" the young squad build by Ange Postecoglou.

Spending power addressed

CEO Michael Nicholson fielded this one - with chat that majority shareholder Dermot Desmond is ready to spend big this summer to back the Rodgers' revolution. The player trading model will be stuck with - as Nicholson insisted the club wanted to continue to "dominated" Scottish football while improving.

He said the club will stick to the "self-financing" model for "today, tomorrow and the long-term". He added there would be no "significant change" - but that the team all want the same thing.

In it for the long haul

A fear among some of the punters was that Rodgers would head down south once a Premier League offer came in. The Celtic fans don't want to see mid-season dash once again, after all.

However, Rodgers was steadfast in his view that he was planning for the long-term future of the club - unless something went wrong. “I’ve signed for three years and I guarantee I’ll be here for three years unless I get emptied before that.”

Rangers confession

Brendan Rodgers knows Michael Beale with both being involved at Chelsea and Liverpool at the same time - and they will be getting familiar once again when derby day rolls around. Punters have pointed out it's a much stronger Rangers side than when Rodgers first arrived in Glasgow - and the Celtic boss agrees.

Reo Hatate and Todd Cantwell (SNS Group)

He pointed out that Rangers were a "newly promoted" side when he first arrived in Glasgow's east end and Beale was lauded as an "excellent coach". However, focus was quickly shifted back to Celtic with the Parkhead progress a vital factor for the boss.

How important was John Kennedy?

It seemed like the make or break moment before the deal was signed. Assistant John Kennedy was a wanted man with Postecoglou keen to take him to Tottenham - while Rodgers wanted him to remain at Celtic.

The Irishman admits it was "very important" for his return that Kennedy remained in the building. The duo lifted seven pieces of silverware during his first time around in Glasgow, and Rodgers revealed he spoke to the trusted lieutenant to "convince" him to stay before his second Parkhead unveiling.

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