Brendan Rodgers has revealed a secret briefing with Callum McGregor played a big part in his return to Celtic.
The former Leicester boss has explained that he met with the Celtic captain in Mallorca to discuss the state of the club before his return to Parkhead.
It's thought Celtic chiefs also visited Mallorca for talks with Rodgers over the role before he agreed a three-year deal at the club.
But a lunch with McGregor left Rodgers excited to return to Celtic with glowing feedback over the playing squad and the work behind the scenes.
Rodgers explained on Celtic TV: "He [McGregor] was pivotal back then [in Rodgers' first spell], just seeing a young player develop his personality and bring that personality to be a very important player for Celtic.
"Then obviously seeing him when I left continue to make that growth has been really pleasing.
"I have to say he was a big part of my coming back as well because I had a lunch with him for a few hours in Mallorca just to understand the squad and where it was at and where he felt the club was at.
"He gave me some great feedback that the group was hungry, it was young and it was ready to keep pushing forward.
"And for me, Callum - he's an absolutely brilliant player on the pitch, his brain, his view of the game is right up there with the very best I've ever worked with and he's robust, he plays many games. He's the ultimate professional."
It comes after Rodgers directed a message to Celtic supporters over his return to the club earlier this evening.
He said: "Hi, it's Brendan here, I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone for the support that I've had since I've been named the manager here again at Celtic.
"I'm very proud and very honoured to be given the opportunity and hopefully I can repay the faith or Dermot [Desmond] and the board for accepting me back to the club.
"But also, very, very importantly to you the supporters.
"Celtic Football Club is about the supporters and I hope that I can come back, make you very proud and also very importantly make you dream again.
"We did that in our first time together and now, hopefully going forward we can dream again.
"So I really look forward to it and look forward to being together as one from the very first day of the season; and let's make this a memorable season for us all.
"Take care. And Hail Hail."
