RODGERS WON’T RULE OUT MOVE FOR ‘TROUBLED’ CAULKER

BRENDAN RODGERS will not rule out out handing Steven Caulker the chance to resurrect his career at Celtic.

But the Hoops boss admitted the troubled former England centre-half has to conquer his demons before he can consider making a move.

Rodgers has spoken to his former Swansea City captain after learning the Queens Park Rangers defender was battling problems off the field.

The 25-year-old recently admitted he had contemplated suicide following struggles with booze and gambling.

Caulker has insisted he is on the road to recovery, but he is set to leave the London outfit despite having a year left on his contract.

The Parkhead gaffer, who took the player on loan from Spurs when he was gaffer of the Welsh outfit in 2012, has offered to help the player sort out his life.

The treble-winners are in the market for a central defender with Dedryck Boyata out for three months.

Rodgers admitted: “I spoke to Steven as a former manager. The kid messaged me.

“He has been suffering for the last period of time and he looked to me as someone who looked after him when he was 19 and I was only too happy to reach out and help.

“We spoke at length about his life and his situation and just where he is at. He is a boy who, if he can get it together and find a peace, then he is an awesome talent.

“He is 6ft 3in, quick, strong, he can play. You would take him to war with you. He is unbelievable, both boxes, he is an incredible young footballer, but he is suffering.

“Having had experience in trying to help him then I was only too happy to do that. At this stage, there is nothing more than that.

“He is obviously a QPR player and I was only too happy to speak to him and help him try to shape his life.”

When asked if he was considering a move, Rodgers replied: “Not at this stage. He is a boy I have spoken to. It was only recently, the last few days.

“He is a big, talented player and he is only 25, but, bless him, we’ll see with that. Initially it is a cry for help.

“I don’t think it is worth going there yet.”

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