The Hoops new arrival, who takes over as reserve team coach, also says the two often used to talk about Celtic while at Chelsea.
New Celtic coach Damien Duff has spoken of his working relationship with Brendan Rodgers going back to when they were both at Chelsea.
In addition, the former Republic of Ireland winger believes that, as far as managers go, the Hoops boss is “one of the best in the world”.
After an illustrious career which included Premier League titles and 100 international caps, Duff began his coaching career at Dublin-based club Shamrock Rovers.
The 39-year-old coached Shamrock’s Under-15s, while Rodgers was also a youth coach at Stamford Bridge when the two began working together.
Duff is quoted by the Irish Independent as saying that leaving Ireland was hard, but said Celtic was the one club he would have done it for, given the Irish connection that is “in your blood from the day you are born”.
Moving onto the subject of Rodgers, the new Hoops reserve team coach said: “He was brilliant with me there. We would talk about Celtic when were there.
“It is obviously my dream club and it was his dream club then, he was always a Celtic fan and we would have a bit of craic and banter back then, 15, 16 years ago.
“He is definitely an inspiration and influence, he is one of the best in the world.”
Duff is one of two backroom arrivals at Parkhead this week, alongside former Celtic captain Stephen McManus, who has taken over as Under-18s coach.
The Hoops return to competitive action on Saturday when they host Airdrieonians in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup and reignite their bid to retain the Scottish Premiership title against St Mirren on the following Wednesday.
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