The Celtic manager has been quick to assess the wider picture in Scottish football and he has the chance to claim his first silverware against his side’s closest challengersBrendan Rodgers does not need the Scottish League Cup as endorsement of his early work at Celtic. Champions League qualification afforded Rodgers instant acclaim, to the point where even finishing bottom of Group C will be accepted by the masses.Rodgers smiles when contemplating what might have been, in the event of falling at the Champions League’s playoff hurdle. “You start behind the eight ball,” he says. “You are tight behind it. If we don’t qualify and then go on to win a league and cup what is said is ‘You didn’t make...
The midfielder’s retirement U-turn when a World Cup 2018 qualifier against England looms increases the pressure on his national managerThe intensely tribal nature of Scotland’s football scene means neutral analysis of Scott Brown is about as forthcoming as peace marches before an Old Firm fixture. The combination of Celtic captain and a confrontational playing style that is viewed as being favourably looked upon by referees means Brown is adored by one club’s supporters whereas rivals view the midfielder as an individual they love to hate. This is not a novel concept, as Barry Ferguson, Graeme Souness and Neil Lennon will confirm.On Friday Brown is expected to step back into the Scotland team after a brief absence that only intensified debate...
From Danny Blanchflower to Brendan Rodgers, via some more successful bows, six managers and their noteworthy first games in chargeIf ever a man seemed destined for management, it was Danny Blanchflower. He was an inspiration on the pitch for Tottenham Hotspur from the moment he replaced Alf Ramsey as captain, running the game from midfield with exceptional intelligence and leading them to the double in 1961. Spurs’ manager, Bill Nicholson, happily admitted that Blanchflower was free to orchestrate play as he saw fit, and Blanchflower’s vision was beautiful – “the game is about glory”, after all. Continue reading...
The manager may have added to the pressure on the former No1 for Manchester City’s visit, given the goalkeeper has been left short of first-team actionShould Brendan Rodgers succeed where José Mourinho did not, namely by spending post-match time in the company of Pep Guardiola, the pair will find common ground.The key similarity relates to goalkeeping matters. Guardiola’s consigning of Joe Hart to the substitutes’ bench and subsequently Torino was high profile on account of the England No1’s status but Rodgers has taken controversial steps of his own. Related: Pep Guardiola tells Manchester City to ignore ‘little record’ at Celtic Continue reading...