‘RODGERS’ PLANS EXCITE ME,’ SVIATCHENKO

ERIK SVIATCHENKO believes Brendan Rodgers will bring the Liverpool influence to Celtic.

The Danish international defender admits he has already been impressed by the methods of the new Hoops boss.

As the champions prepared for their two-week training camp in Slovenia, Sviatchenko reckons the fans will love the style of the team in Rodgers’ debut season.

He said: “It’s a new manager with new ideas and so far the ideas for me have been what I want to be doing. It’s about history, as well, and how the manager played at Swansea and Liverpool.

“I think it will be something similar to that so at this point it’s really, really interesting.

“I am excited about it. We need to dominate games even more than we did last year. To do that we need to be in a physical shape that is absolutely fantastic.

“We’ll get our fantastic form then we will build up slowly towards those next couple of weeks.”

Celtic’s players were given a hero’s reception as they made their way through Glasgow Airport yesterday afternoon.

Rodgers and his team were swamped by fans desperate to get a picture taken with the men that will be leading the Parkhead charge next term just a few weeks before their Champions League qualifiers kick off.

Sviatchenko said: “It’s a good start that people are turning up in huge numbers, that they’re buying season tickets.

“We know that we are a good club. We know that we are the biggest club in Scotland. We want to show that every week.

“If we start with season ticket holders, people signing up for the Rodgers Revolution – that’s a good start for everyone. Hopefully, Celtic Park will be packed.”

The Dane admitted he was delighted teenage left-back Kieran Tierney has agreed a new long-term contract with the club.

Sviatchenko added: “We all know the manager is keen in bringing young players up. For Celtic to sign Kieran Tierney for a five-year deal is massive.

“It gives a good appreciation of how the work is going to be done in the future, as well.”