Brendan Rodgers to watch Celtic v the Rangers on Sunday

FORMER Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers will revert to his role as a supporter on Sunday when Celtic play Rangers in the third Glasgow Derby of the season.

Rodgers was in charge for 13 of these Derby matches losing the last one but having enjoyed a brilliant run before that of two draws and ten wins. Having won seven domestic trophies in a row, Rodgers wasted his legacy with the Celtic support by planning his departure to Leicester City on the fly, then sneaking away down the M74 under the cover of darkness.

Neil Lennon arrived and steadied the ship and has won an tough looking Scottish Cup semi-final at Easter Road and enjoyed wins away to Hearts and Dundee while drawing with Aberdeen at Celtic Park. That all takes Celtic to the semi-final of the cup and increased the lead in the league from 8 points to 10 and a win on Sunday will take it up to 13 points and as far as the league is concerned, it will be 8 in a row all but in the bag.

“Yeah, I’ll watch the game. They are always great occasions,” Rodgers admitted to Leicestershire Live.

“Obviously this game, being at home, the dynamic of the game has changed because of the away support.

“But they really are extra special occasions. I was involved in 13 of them, so I understand them well. It should be a great game and I am hoping that my old team can continue with their good work.”

Rodgers also stated that he reckons the Glasgow Derby has a unique atmosphere that puts anything else he’s been involved with – including Liverpool v Everton – in the shade.

“The passion and intensity in it is totally different to what I’ve experienced, and I’ve been involved in derby games at my other clubs.

“The atmosphere at Celtic Park is amazing and, of course, when it gets to that game it’s even more special.

“Hopefully, they can go and perform well, and get the result they want.”

You wonder of Rodgers will ever be back at Celtic Park to take in a match or perhaps to do some media work? Time is a great healer, but it would seem that it is going to take quite a bit of it before anyone in the green and white is ready to forgive and forget.

About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor David Faulds has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

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