BRENDAN RODGERS has issued a guarantee he will not walk out on Celtic during his three-year contract.
The Irishman publicly declared he was at Parkhead for the duration – unless, of course’ he was “emptied”, a quaint expression for being given the boot.
Rodgers won seven successive domestic trophies during his first two-and-a-half year stint after arriving in May 2016 and if he continues that silverware streak he will guide the Hoops to a barrier-breaking 56th title.
The champions lifted their 53rd crown last season and are just three away from overtaking their Ibrox foes.
The record books show the Govan club have 55 flags and Rodgers can now oversee Celtic leaving their neighbours in their slipstream.
PRIZE GUY…Brendan Rodgers proudly grasps the first of his two Premiership titles as Celtic boss.
Former boss Neil Lennon said: “He’ll see that as a challenge and he’ll embrace it. You want to be pushed because it keeps you and your players on their toes.
“Celtic already have a guaranteed goalscorer in Kyogo Furuhashi and I’m sure Brendan will add another to that department, as well.
“Look at it this way. Brendan’s signed a three-year contract and has publicly promised to fulfil it. If he can win the league in each of those seasons then Celtic will have overtaken Rangers with 56 titles.
“That’s an incentive for the board, the management and the players. It’ll be just one more thing which we have over them, added to the European Cup win, the Invincible treble, the quadruple treble and two nine-in-a-rows.
“So, if Brendan can reach 56 before Rangers then the section of the support who are still wary of him would forget all about the fact he didn’t stay – as they used to sing – for ten in a row.”
Lennon, speaking to the Daily Record, added: “I bumped into Brendan last week and he told me he’d planned to take a year out in Majorca after leaving Leicester, but when Celtic come calling – especially given the situation he was in – you don’t say no.
PRIZE GUY…Neil Lennon beams as he parades the 2019/20 silverware.
“His priority will be winning the league, continuing to dominate the landscape here in Scotland and going further in the Champions League.
“Some say this is a step backwards for him, but it really isn’t. If you’re working as a manager then there aren’t that many clubs who can give you the opportunity to compete in the Champions League.
“Everyone wants to take on the best teams and the best coaches, so those are the pros of coming back.
“As for the cons, if he doesn’t get off to a great start then the fans may start doubting him, but I don’t believe that will worry Brendan at all.”
Lennon, who celebrated his 52nd birthday yesterday, has certainly played his part in bolstering Celtic’s title tally.
The former club captain won five as a player and another five as a manager.
