There are numerous reasons Brendan Rodgers was tempted back to Celtic when he could have been spending the next few months on the golf course or lying by the pool, waiting for inevitable calls from Premier League clubs.
The returning gaffer talked at his unveiling on Friday about the lure of of the Glasgow pressure pot, the opportunity to heal wounds from the manner of his departure four years ago and the thrill he gets when thinking about the chance to make an impact in Europe. But Rodgers admits there is another aspect of life in the Scottish football madhouse that really floats his boat.
The Irishman relishes the white hot environment of the Old Firm derby clashes – and he reckons there’s not much that can top the emotions of victory over bitter rivals Rangers. Rodgers knows the feeling well. In 13 showdowns he won 10 and only lost one, during his dominant first spell with Celtic. He was left walking on air after dishing out some serious drubbings as well, with three five goal hammering in the space of a couple of seasons.
Rodgers has sampled some of the UK’s great derbies, with Liverpool going up against fierce foes Manchester United down south, as well as city rivals Everton. He was also in charge of Swansea against South Wales arch enemy Cardiff, when he was leading the Swans to the Premier League. But nothing comes close to the Glasgow showpiece – especially when there’s a win at the end of it.
Rodgers said: “They are amazing. Having been involved in Liverpool against Man United and Everton, games that are tough, even Swansea versus Cardiff, which is a big game in the Championship, but I have to say there is nothing like it. The intensity, the passion – there are so many reasons it’s so tense. But when you come out the other side with a result, it’s an amazing feeling.
“The players who have experience of it, you look at Callum McGregor, he’s a brilliant player and captain and he’s played in a number of games against Rangers. It’s important for players like that to let the new guys understand what the game is about. There is that focus on the match and the media around it is world wide, there’s always a spring in the step.”
Rodgers is looking forward to the next derby rather than pouring over footage of former glories. But there is a sense of coming full circle in his career with his Celtic return. Rodgers’ career has gone from a youth coach at Chelsea to boss at Reading, Watford, Swansea, Liverpool, Celtic and Leicester City, and now back to Parkhead.
But he revealed he might not have gone down this path is not for a pep talk from the likes of Chelsea legend John Terry. Rodgers – speaking on the Golf Life YouTube show – said: “I probably didn’t think about becoming a manager until probably two years before I got my first managerial job.
“When I was at Chelsea I loved working with the young players, and when I went to work with the first team I loved working with world class players. They gave me the confidence because I could work and speak with them.
“There were a few guys there at that time who mentioned, ‘you should think about becoming a manager’. I remember guys like John Terry, they were brilliant professionals along with the foreign guys.
“I suppose when players of that stature and level mention it, It makes you think. Over the next 18 months or so I thought if the chance comes, maybe I could take an opportunity and see how it goes.”
It’s gone pretty well, it’s fair to say. Rodgers is renowned for improving players, but also for his man management and motivational skills. The 50-year-old is more about preparation than grand speeches but he revealed his pre-match war cry on the way to Celtic’s Invincible Treble in 2017 is not one he’ll forget.
Rodgers said: “There are a couple that stand out. Going into the Scottish Cup Final (against Aberdeen) in the first year, when we were going for the Treble. I talked about what that meant and the history of it.
“The other was the Swansea play-off final, to be the first club from Wales to get to the Premier League. That was a special occasion and I tried to find the words that could match that. It gives a stimulus and the confidence to go out but the work leading into them that really counts.”
There’s only a handful of Celts left from the first Rodgers era but the squad shouldn’t be too concerned about getting the hair dryer treatment – as it’s not the gaffer’s style. He said: “I tend not to so much. Only the odd occasion. It’s not really my way, I’d rather find a different way.
“I’m sure players will tell you there are moments when you have to do that. Sometimes it’s not all about tactics. You could come in at half time and you have to give an emotional response to stimulate the players. In the main I’m not that type of person.
“I care for people in general. Life is about relationships and I always think if I see former players later in life, most of them will say I tried to help them be the best they can be, for them and their families. You will always get some players you don’t connect with, or for different reasons they don’t accept that.
“But I’ve always cared for people, whether it’s players or staff, and tried to look out for them. Sometimes that’s telling them things they don’t want to hear. I’d rather be honest to be polite than too polite to be honest. That’s always worked well for me in professional life.”
