Rodgers Coeur de Bhoy – France Football salutes Brendan

This week’s edition of the ever-authoritative France Football magazine carries a two page spread on Brendan Rodgers and Celtic written by its long-standing British football correspondent, Philippe Auclair.

There are no sensational revelations (Brendan won’t be heading to PSG any time soon) but it’s always interesting “to see ourselves as others see us”.

Here are some highlights:

“What’s it like to be the manager of Celtic in 2018? Seen from the outside, it’s almost like being the director of a grand museum or of a theme park dedicated to success: 60000 visitors every other weekend, a fantastic cultural and sporting heritage to safeguard, and a near-guarantee of snaffling every pot up for grabs each season.

But Brendan Rodgers isn’t some has-been who tripped over the red carpet in Liverpool and is now seeking a gig in a seaside resort. His links with Celtic go way back. Born into a multi-denominational household (his father was a Catholic; his mother a Protestant), this Northern Irishman has always identified with the Green and White.”

The article goes on to explain that Rodgers knocked back Southampton at the start of the spring and that Everton were interested when Ronald Koeman collected his jotters last autumn, and points out that the man from Carnlough could earn significantly more away from Celtic Park.

There is also a sympathetic analysis of the economic restrictions within which Celtic must operate these days.

And it’s against this background that Auclair offers the view that very few Premier League clubs in England can offer Rodgers the emotional package that accompanies the Celtic job.

As the manager of Celtic, Rodgers is working in a historical context – one that he clearly values and fully understands.

Auclair would have come across Rodgers many times at Swansea and Liverpool and he says that the Celtic coach has changed since coming to Scotland, that he takes himself less seriously, is more open to the opinions and views of others and less pre-occupied with demonstrating his qualities at every turn.

In short, he’s comfortable in his own skin in Glasgow.

As if to prove the point, Auclair concludes his article with the following thoughts from Rodgers: “A few years ago, I’d have been in more of a hurry. But I’ve learned to appreciate what I have. We’re at the start of a journey here at Celtic and there is still so much to do”.

David Sleight