Andy Walker believes Brendan Rodgers' Celtic return will give Scottish football another lift as he admitted he was 'really surprised' he returned north of the border.
The new Hoops gaffer is back in Glasgow's east end for a second stint following Ange Postecoglou's departure to the English Premier League with Tottenham. The Scottish champions pushed the boat out for Rodgers to make a sensational return as he gets ready to fight it out with Rangers once again and attempt to make a splash in the Champions League.
The 50-year-old angered some fans in the manner he left Celtic first time around for Leicester City with the Green Brigade unfurling a banner at the time that read 'You traded immortality for mediocrity. Never a Celt, always a fraud.' After the announcement of Rodgers' return to Parkhead they re-shared the image in a tweet.
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Pundit Walker says the supporters group are entitled to share their views but he disagrees with the opinion and believes he's never been a 'fraud'.
Speaking on the Go Radio Football Show, he said: "The Green Brigade are perfectly entitled to their view but I don't think they represent the majority of Celtic supporters. You get a wide variety of views on Celtic players, managers and everyone else connected with the club.
"They're absolutely entitled to say what they feel but I disagree. I don't think he's ever been a fraud and I think there was a difficulty behind the scenes. I think some at Celtic were delighted to see him go but I think that's obviously been part of the discussion now he's come back.
"And I think he's come back and the biggest thing he's said is Europe. That's a great challenge for Brendan Rodgers. Celtic have got access to the Champions League and he'll be going up against the best teams. Inevitably, some of the best managers and coaches on the continent and he'll want to know he can pitch a team and get results.
"What you're always trying to do as a Celtic manager or player is just give the supporters some special memories and I don't think they come much better than European football."
He continued: "I think Brendan coming back has given Scottish football another lift. The way that we are looked down upon by so many of our friends down south especially.
"I think Brendan Rodgers is an elite manager so for him to come back to Scotland, I've got to say I was really surprised.
"I thought he had done his run in Scottish football but I think he's enthused about doing the European thing which you don't get down south unless you're with one of the elite clubs."
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