BRENDAN RODGERS, on what he’d do if approached by Arsenal yesterday stated “I would speak to the board, but it will take something extraordinary to take me from here.
“After this season, I have three more years and will be so happy if I can see those out.
“I am privileged to be here as the manager. I want to help the club grow and develop.
“I’m much the same as him (Dermot Desmond – read HERE – relaxed. Arsene has said he’s leaving at the end of the season and my name has been thrown in there.
“There is always speculation. But my only focus is wrapping up the title then moving on to the Scottish Cup Final.”
MORGAN’S MAGIC APPRECIATED
Celtic bound Lewis Morgan signed off at St Mirren yesterday with applause ringing in his ear and the Saints manager Jack Ross admitted: “I don’t know how I’ll replace him.”
“I wanted to allow Lewis to come off near the end to get the adulation of the crowd.
“His personal contribution made it even more appropriate and reminded me how difficult it’s going to be to replace him.
“That ovation he received was well deserved for what he has done for the club in my time.
“Morton were the only team we hadn’t beaten this season and, as champions, we wanted to have a record that ensured we had achieved a victory against each team. That was motivation.
“I was determined to make sure all the players and staff soaked it all up and I think they did that. They took it all in.
“They deserve it because of the work they have put in.”
The challenge for the newly arriving Celt is to force his way into one of the wide positions at Celtic where the competition is fierce.
James Forrest was praised by his manager for this season’s brilliant displays HERE while Scotty Sinclair, for the moment at least remains Scotland’s player of the year. He has suffered from that difficult second season problem but will hope to be back to his stunning best after the summer break.
Charly Musonda will be due some game time after the league is finally won and will be looking to make a bigger impression next term for his full season at Celtic in his 18 month loan spell from Chelsea.
And Paddy Roberts won’t be a Manchester City player for much longer – will Celtic match the supporters’ ambitions and break the transfer record to bring the number 7 to the club on a permanent deal? We shall see.
Lewis Morgan is going to have to be very special – extraordinary even – to fight his way past that lot to get into the starting eleven. We wish him well.
PLEASE DON”T GO!
Talking of James Forrest, he spoke for all the players yesterday when he stated that no-one at the club wants Brendan to leave anytime soon.
“The gaffer has been incredible since he’s come in, with what he has done for the club.
“If players and managers do well, they will always get linked, but it’s good that we have him as our manager. Obviously, nobody wants him to go.
“You don’t get linked with a job that size unless you are doing well, but we want him to stay here and push on. Hopefully, that will happen.”
On the disappointment of not winning the league yesterday at Easter Road, James simply said “hopefully, we can win the league next week.”
That has the makings of an extraordinary afternoon, another Beautiful Sunday even…
Seven more sleeps!