BRENDAN RODGERS admits he is “in a brilliant place” as he reflects on his return to Celtic.
And the Hoops gaffer is also looking ahead as he prepares his players for this evening’s Premiership game against Hearts at Tynecastle.
Rodgers signed a three-year contract to seal his comeback in June 2023 and, despite a rocky restart with the holders knocked out of the League Cup by Kilmarnock in his third match, he managed to ride out the early storm.
The Irishman got the team back on track to win the league and Cup double and the good work has carried on in the current campaign with two wins and a draw in four Champions League encounters, the champions on top of the league and getting ready for a Premier Sports League Cup Final against Rangers next month.
JUST CHAMPION…Brendan Rodgers salutes the fans after Celtic sealed a third successive title following a 5-0 romp over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park on May 15.
When he returned to Glasgow, Rodgers insisted he would NOT leave unless he was “emptied”.
The topic of a contract extension cropped up at yesterday’s club AGM and the manager answered: “I said I’d be here for three years. And after the three years, I’ll have done nearly six years as a Celtic manager, which is a long time for a Celtic manager.
“But I haven’t really thought about it. I think for nearly a year, there was probably more people wanting me out than in!
“So, I’m not going to be talking about new contracts now. I just need to continue to work well, do my very best for the club.
“And I’m pretty sure at some point next season, we can see how we’re going and then take it from there.”
Rodgers continued: “At the minute, I love my life here. It’s an amazing club to work in. Funny enough, going away and coming back has made it even better for me because I knew what I missed when I was away.
“So, I’m not in a big rush to be leaving it again. But it’s a great place to be. I love working with the players.
“They say in life, the biggest currency you have is time. And I think when you get to 51 and as you get older, you realise that. Time around people you love, around your family, around your workplace. And I would have to agree with that.
“And where I am at the minute, I’m in a brilliant place. So just keep it that way.”
CUP THAT CHEERS…Brendan Rodgers proudly holds aloft the Scottish Cup after the 1-0 derby silverware showdown triumph at Hampden on May 25.
Rodgers is now focused on Tynecastle for the 7.45pm kick-off at a venue he first visited during his stint as Liverpool boss.
The Parkhead gaffer added: “We played Hearts in a Europa League game, I think it was.
“Every other game has obviously been an early kick-off. But my experience there, whether it’s night or day, it’s always an intense game.
“Hearts, in terms of the position that they’re in, it doesn’t quite probably align with some of the performances they’ve had. I think they’ve performed fairly well from what I’ve seen, but not quite got the results.
“With Neil Critchley coming in, he’s an excellent coach who will look to organise them, get them working hard and playing good football.
“So, every game we’re there, we expect a tough game.”
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