Celtic legend John Hartson has lifted the lid on what he feels could be the club’s secret weapon in keeping hold of manager Brendan Rodgers this summer.
Celtic boss Rodgers has emerged as a serious target for Premier League trio Chelsea, Arsenal and West Ham this summer, as reported by the likes of The Daily Mail.
Rodgers has fast established himself as a firm favourite at Celtic Park and is looking to win back-to-back trebles with the Hoops.
But that success has attracted the attention of a number of clubs south of the border where he was last seen being sacked as Liverpool manager.
Rodgers worked under Jose Mourinho as head youth coach of the Chelsea academy between 2004 and 2006 before becoming manager of the club’s reserves.
His style of play and penchant for developing youth have also made him an attractive proposition for Arsenal and West Ham United as they too look to rebuild after a couple of poor seasons.
The lure of managing in the Premier League again could prove too strong for Rodgers to turn down.
But Celtic legend John Hartson has told The Evening Times that he feels a quieter life might just keep him in Scotland a little while longer yet.
“Ultimately it wouldn’t matter if Celtic offered him a king’s ransom to stay – it will be Rodgers’ decision when he goes and when he feels the time is right to go,” Hartson told Evening Times.
“But my own suspicion would be that we might see just one more year of Brendan at Celtic. If that is the case then you have to say that three years is a long time in football to spend at one club.
“I know that he loves it here at Celtic. His family are settled, he is happy and he appreciates the value of that.
“As someone who has played in London I know that you don’t always get that. I played for four clubs and spent a decade of my career in London and if you lose two games at Arsenal you can bet your bottom dollar that there will be someone giving it out to you when you walk down the street.
“So although I think there might be an allure to go if there is a club of that ilk who comes in for him, I don’t think it is something that Rodgers is angling for.”
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