ANGE POSTECOGLOU has revealed former Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers has been “really supportive” since he was named Neil Lennon’s long-term successor in June last year.
There was outrage among sections of the Hoops support when the Northern Irishman quit the Hoops three years ago to take over as manager at Leicester City.
The bid for the eighth successive title was still in the balance at the time with a crucial double-header due in Edinburgh against Hearts in the league at Tynecastle and Hibs in the Scottish Cup at Easter Road.
Lennon, who had left the Edinburgh club the previous month, answered the SOS to take over in an interim capacity until the end of the campaign before being offered the post on a full-time basis after completing the treble treble.
However, he was sacked only two days after a miserable 1-0 loss to relegation-threatened Ross County in Dingwall just under a year ago, John Kennedy saw the wobbling side over the line before the arrival of Postecoglou.
SILVERWARE SUCCESS…Brendan Rodgers poses with the newly-won domestic treble at the end of his first season in 2016/17.
The Greek-Australian met up with Rodgers before the recent home match against Dundee United when the ex-gaffer was guest of honour in the directors’ box.
Postecoglou admitted: “Brendan popped his head in before the game. It was great to see him.
“He’s someone I came across when he was Liverpool manager. They came down to Australia and I was coaching Melbourne Victory.
“He was really kind with his time and since then I’ve kept in contact with him.
“He was one of the first people to reach out when I got the job. He’s been really supportive and has sent me a couple of really nice messages.
“It was good to catch up with him. I am sure he enjoyed being back at Celtic Park.
“He says it’s still the best experience of his career in terms of the atmosphere and the environment.”
Rodgers’ return visit was followed by fulsome tributes from Lennon, who hailed the “amazing performance” that saw the team thrash Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s Ibrox side 3-0 to go to the pinnacle of the Premiership by one point for the first time since August 3 2020.
Martin O’Neill has also applauded the efforts of Postecoglou in turning things around in such an extraordinary fashion.
THAT’S MY BHOY…Ange Postecoglou hugs Nir Bitton after yet another Celtic win.
The manager, speaking to the Daily Record, added: “It’s not something that I think about a lot in terms of the whole approval thing, but they are two people who were very, very successful at this football club.
“Neil Lennon is a Celtic man. He was here as a player and a manager. Part of my role is to represent everyone at this club including past players and managers.
“Hopefully, I produce a team they are proud of because they will always have an association with this club and I know that they want this club to do well.
“If I’m pleasing them then I’m happy because it means I’m taking the club in the right direction.”
Raith Rovers present the next challenge in the east end of Glasgow in the Scottish Cup last-16 encounter tomorrow with a 4pm kick-off.
The Hoops thumped the Fifers 3-0 in the Premier Sports League Cup at the same venue earlier in the season.
