‘Such a difficult job,’ Brendan Rodgers on Miller’s player/manager role

BRENDAN RODGERS has spoken about the difficulties that Livingston’s new player/manager Kenny Miller will face trying to do both jobs for the West Lothian side. The Celtic manager’s route to a career management could not have been more different from that of the former Celtic striker Miller.

“I was coaching for 15 years before I took a job at 35 and experienced a lot. Then you go into management,” Brendan said.

“Kenny’s pathway is totally different, but that doesn’t make it wrong. He has a lot of playing experience and still wants to play. Now he’ll manage an on-field scenario.

“He’s on an experiential curve now and it’s right at the very beginning of coaching and managing.

“He’ll see the difficulties, he’ll learn from them and then he’ll be better if he wants to continue doing it in five or ten years’ time.

“You have to start somewhere and I’m delighted for him that he wants to step in and help Livingston, who have had a great last couple of years.

“What you need is to ensure your assistants around you are top class because they’ll be doing a lot of the coaching, planning and preparing and you’re still playing.

“You are focusing on your body and being inspirational for your team.

“You don’t see (player/managers) so much now because it’s such a difficult job and everything has evolved in management, but he feels he can do it and that’s a great feeling that he obviously had for the job.

“I wish him all the very best.”

About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor, who 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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