BRENDAN RODGERS has always skilfully turned any question about Rangers or the Old F*rm around to say that his focus is always on Celtic or that he came to Scotland because of Celtic and that no other club – or group of clubs – had any impact on his decision whatsoever.
The other day a local radio station sat down with the Celtic manager in Austria and the first thing they asked him about was Steven Gerrard and Rangers.
Rodgers v Gerrard is going to be a huge story this season – the experienced, successful manager who has won 6 from 6 trophies since arriving in Glasgow against the rookie boss, formerly the skipper of Liverpool and England who has had a glittering career winning almost everything but never a league title.
Can he get one over on his former manager this season but getting his hands on a winners medal? The story will run and run. For Rodgers, it makes life even more interesting as Celtic manager. There is perhaps an additional sparkle in his eye as the competitor in him, wants to make sure that this is his finest season yet as Celtic boss.
There is no chance that Rodgers is getting stale, in the mumdane. There is no same old Celtic always winning mentality. Instead there is a genuine hunger to push Celtic on to the next level and in doing so he’ll certainly show Gerrard who is boss.
Rodgers was asked about Gerrard again yesterday and this is what he had to say.
“When you go into management at whatever level then, no matter what you have done or achieved as a player, once you close that door behind you as a player, then you are entering a different sport.
“As a player, you are always looking after yourself and making sure that everything was okay. As a manager, you have to look after everything.
“But Stevie has got experience in terms of leadership and leading the team, so that will stand him in good stead, like you’ve seen with other captains who have gone into management positions.
“Wherever you go as a first time manager, it is always a test. A club like Liverpool can train you for that a bit. I know that because I was the manager there and Steven has played there.
“It is when you have been in and around that pressure, in that environment, then it certainly helps when you go into another pressure situation. That is what can prepare you.
“And, of course, if it’s your first job, then it adds a little bit more to it. But that is why you make the steps into management. You have to take a step somewhere and he has decided to make that step at Rangers.
“Plus, he’s got his staff around him he knows well, so he’ll be looking to do well.
“I haven’t really thought about it so much. I’ve come up against guys I’ve known well before and I’ve come up against top-class players before, so there is nothing new in it.
“But, of course, Steven is someone I know well and he has decided to take his first steps into management at Rangers. I’m sure he’ll enjoy the challenge and the test of it all. So it will be fun.
“I always gear myself up for a competitive season and I don’t see this one being any different. With the number of games we have to play, it is always a real challenge for us.
“It looks a really exciting league and it’s another season that I am excited about.”
